One of America’s first best-sellers was this textbook used to teach the alphabet. It reflects the Puritan atmosphere of New England, as in, for example:
“A—In Adam’s fall / We sinned all.”
“B—Thy life to mend / This Book [with a picture of a Bible] attend.”
The popular pocket-size book, published in 1727, also included the prayer “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” along with stories of Christians martyred for their faith.