MY OWN PRIMER

or
FIRST LESSONS
in
SPELLING AND READING.

prepared for the board of publication by the

Rev. JOHN P. CARTER.

[A small drawing of a group of children around a seated woman. The children are reading to themselves or aloud while the woman is knitting.]

Lucile Clarke MEMORIAL Children's Library

MY OWN PRIMER

or
FIRST LESSONS
in
SPELLING AND READING.

prepared for the board of publication by the

Rev. JOHN P. CARTER.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by JAMES DUNLAP, T reas., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
stereotyped by JESPER HARDING & SON inquirer building, south third street, philadelphia.

PREFACE.

A wish has often been expressed, especially by the Colporteurs of the Board, that a cheap, simple Primer should be prepared for the use of the young, and of adults who have not enjoyed the benefit of early instruction. In compliance with this wish, a kind friend of the young and ignorant, who has devoted himself to the work of education, has prepared this little book, which, it is hoped, will proved a valuable aid to mothers and school-teachers, in imparting the first rudiments of knowledge.

It is to be feared that many who understand the task of instruction, are not aware


View page [preface, continued]
of the difficulty and importance of the work in which they are engaged. The laying of the foundations of the Pyramids of Egypt, or of the keel of the steamship "Great Eastern," shrinks into insignificance in comparison with the importance of teaching the humblest child its A B C. The difference is as great as that between immortal mind, and inert matter.

How important then that the teacher should possess the indispensable qualifications of tact, patience, love, and perseverance! None other should attempt so delicate and difficult a task.

May teachers and pupils alike find pleasure and profit in use of this little volume. THE EDITOR OF THE BOARD.

A B C D E

F G H I J

K L M N O

P Q R S T

U V W X Y

Z &

THE MUSICAL ALPHABET.

[Eight bars of music for a simple tune to teach children the alphabet.]

A B C D E F

G H I J K

L M N O P

Q R S T U

V W X Y Z

exercise on the letters. show me a, b, c, &c.

GOD IS LOVE. BAD MEN DO NOT LOVE GOD. A GOOD BOY WILL MIND HIS BOOK. AN AXE CUTS WOOD TO BURN. HE JUMPS FOR JOY. IF WE HAVE ZEAL FOR GOD'S LAW, WE WILL QUIT ALL BAD THINGS.

a b c d e f

g h i j k l

m n o p q r

s t u v w x

y z

exercise on the letters. show me a, b, c, &c.

God is love. Bad men do not love God. A good boy will mind his book. An axe cuts wood to burn [sic] He jumps for joy. If we have zeal for God's law, we will quit all bad things. The box is full of toys.

A B C D E F

G H I J K

L M N O P

Q R S T U

V W X Y Z

exercise on the letters. show me a, b, c, &c.

GOD IS LOVE. BAD MEN DO NOT LOVE GOD. A GOOD BOY WILL MIND HIS BOOK. AN AXE CUTS WOOD TO BURN. HE JUMPS FOR JOY. IF WE HAVE ZEAL FOR GOD'S LAW, WE WILL QUIT ALL BAD THINGS. THE BOX IS FULL OF TOYS. THE GOOD GIRL IS KIND TO ALL.

a b c d e f

g h i j k l

m n o p q r

s t u v w x

y z

exercise on the letters. show me a, b, c, &c.

God is love. Bad men do not love God. A good boy will mind his book. An axe cuts wood to burn He jumps for joy. If we have zeal for God's law, we will quit all bad things. The box is full of toys. The good girl is kind to all. Be thou in fear of the Lord all day long. My son, give me thine heart. Have faith in God. Be ye all of one mind. Cease to do evil; learn to do well. Love the truth and peace.

these six letters are vowels.

a e i o u y

the rest are consonants.

b c d f g h j

k l m n p q r

s t v w x z

ab eb ib ob ub

ad ed id od ud

af ef if of uf

al el il ol ul

am em im om um

an en in on un

ap ep ip op up

as es is os us

ba be bi bo bu by

da de di do du dy

fa fe fi fo fu fy

la le li lo lu ly

ma me mi mo mu my

na ne ni no nu ny

pa pe pi po pu py

sa se si so su sy

ta te ti to tu ty

words of two letters.

am an as at if in is

it of on or ox up us

be he me we by my go

ho lo no so do to

sentences.

Be thou in fear of the Lord all the day long. My son, give me thine heart. Have faith in God. Grow in grace. Be ye all of one mind. Lord, help me. Fear not: I will help thee. Wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

ban den din bat

can fen fin cat

fan hen pin fat

man men sin hat

tan ten win rat

bad sad bla bra

had boy ble bre

lad coy bli bri

mad joy blo bro

pad toy blu bru

bed bow bog bid

fed cow cog did

led how dog hid

red mow fog kid

wed now hog lid

fled sow jog mid

shed vow log rid

lessons in words of three and four letters.

and end ink old

band bend link cold

land lend pink hold

sand send sink sold

urn arm age ear

burn farm cage fear

turn art eat all

churn cart seat ball

ell out lad led

bell sour clad bled

ill out pan red

pill rout span bred

hap hip hop hat

trap ship shop that

[Three small pictures: a girl, a book, and a boy with a hoop.]

See this good Girl. She has a Book.

Does she love her Book? Yes, she does.

Look at the Boy with his Hoop.

How glad he is to drive his Hoop.

lessons in words of four and five letters.

land plump lame bless

bland loss blame rook

lock gloss lack brook

clock loud black reed

lump cloud less breed

We can not see God, but God can see us, and all men.

If we sin, God will not love us.

The Son of God will keep us from sin, if we ask him.

Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

The end of sin is woe.

mound taste plain birth

pound paste grain girth

round haste chain mirth

sound baste slain worth

bear duck bean earth

cow hen corn coal

calf dove date sand

lamb lark hemp rock

frog quail wheat clay

goat wren flax hill

sheep hawk rye wind

[Three small pictures: a boy with a kite, a house, and a pair of hands.]

John new with will

fly when made boys

wind house blows fine

girls hands kite here

good them this die

Here is John with his new kite.

He will fly his kite when the wind blows.

This fine house was made with the hands of men.

Good boys and girls, when they die, will go to live in a house not made with hands.

Will you not try to be good, and go to live with them?

easy reading lessons.

THE BEAR lives in the woods. When he is caught and held with a chain, it will be safe for boys and girls to look at him.

THE CALF plays near the side of the cow. Its flesh is called VEAL.

THE DUCK can swim, and dive in the pond for food.

THE HEN guards her young ones from the HAWK, and hides them with her wings.

GOAT'S milk is good food for some who are weak.

THE WREN is a small BIRD. She builds her nest in a box.

THE LARK sings with joy in the fields.

CORN and RYE make good bread.

HEMP is spun and made into ropes.

FLAX is spun and made into cloth.

DATES and FIGS are fine fruits.

COAL is used to burn. It keeps us quite warm.

SAND is used to make glass. BRICKS are made of CLAY.

The same great and good God that made me, made all these things!

THE HOLY BIBLE

[An ornate Bible with several ribboned bookmarks, sitting on a tassled pillow.]

God Jesus loved

Christ Father word

heart beings life

that wisest tells

things perish Son

should taketh lamb

THE BIBLE is God's holy word. It tells us that the great God who made us, and all things, is the wisest and best of beings. It tells us that God is our Father, and that we should love him with all our heart and do all his holy will.

OUR PARENTS.

[A boy and girl sitting at the dinner table with their parents.]

thy love command children

they pray honour blessing

bless teach daily very

save great giveth father

clothes when obey mother

sick buy upon parents

How good is God to give us our dear parents! They love us very much. They buy us food and clothes, and take great care of us, both when we are well, and when we are sick. They teach us to read God's holy Bible; they teach us to pray to God; and they pray that God will bless and save us.

THE SAVIOUR.

[Jesus blessing several small children.]

When Jesus, the blessed Saviour, was on earth, some parents brought their children to him that he might bless them. His disciples blamed them for doing so, because they thought it would trouble the Saviour. But he said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." And he put his hand on the children and blessed them.

AGAINST QUARRELING AND FIGHTING.

[A group of boys brawling in the street.]

Let dogs delight to bark and bite,

For God hath made them so;

Let bears and lions growl and fight

For 'tis their nature too.

But children, you should never let

Such angry passions rise;

Your little hands were never made

To tear each other's eyes.

Let love through all your actions run,

And all your words be mild;

Live like the blessed Virgin's Son,

That sweet and lovely child.

His soul was gentle as a lamb;

And, as his stature grew,

He grew in favour both with man

And God his Father too.

Now Lord of all, he reigns above,

And from his heavenly throne

He sees what children dwell in love,

And marks them for his own.

JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God, came into the world to save the sinners. We are all sinners, and need his salvation. When he lived on earth he went about doing good, healing the sick, comforting the afflicted, and raising the dead. He did those great works, to show that he was equal to God the Father, and that he is able to save all that come unto God by him. After he died upon the cross for our sins, he arose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father. At the last day, Jesus will come with all his holy angels to judge the world.

spelling lessons in two syllables.

actor fatal keeper

action fable kindle

Bible godly lady

baker glory labour

cellar holy maker

crier happy music

dial image nation

dollar jury nature

[A little boy reading aloud to an elderly man.]

Little George loves to read his Bible. He learns a few verses in it every day, and repeats them to his father.

I know that it shall be well with them that fear God.

IDOL WORSHIP.

[Two men kneeling in front of a statue, which is posed with raised arms and holding a trident.]

There are many people in the world that do not know the true God, nor his Son Jesus Christ. We call them heathen.

They make images of wood and stone, and call them gods, and bow down and worship them. Poor blind people! how we should pity them, and pray that God will send his ministers to teach them the gospel.

abate obtain dismay

admire pursue mistake

below undo repay

content define compare

deny contract recall

engage incline repent

forget remind redeem

spelling lessons in three syllables.

abatement enticement

confinement enjoyment

refinement employment

retirement contentment

PAPER is made of old rags, washed clean, and ground in a mill.

GLASS is made of sand and potash melted together in a furnace.

LEATHER is made of the hides of animals by tanning.

CLOTH is made of cotton, or wool.

HOUSES are built of wood, stone, or brick.

SHIPS are built of wood and iron.

perfect perfection

invent invention

object objection

select selection

adopt adoption

spelling in two and three syllables.

namely timely baleful

lamely lively baneful

tamely nicely careful

lately homely hateful

barely lonely direful

safely sorely useful

finely solely hopeful

likely basely faithful

Oh that it were my chief delight

To do the things I ought;

Then let me try with all my might,

To mind what I am taught.

For God looks down from heaven on high,

Our actions to behold,

And he is pleased when children try

To do as they are told.

delegate absolute animal

elevate attribute admiral

penetrate amplitude capital

perpetrate aptitude nominal

renovate gratitude annual

desolate attitude manual

perforate latitude gradual

PLOUGHING

[A farmer plowing a field.]

plough ploughing beautiful

grain sunshine according

ground harrow shovel-plough

bread eater farmer

heads promise yellow

weeks carpet prepare

The farmer ploughs the land to prepare it for the seed. After ploughing, the large clods are broken with a harrow. When the seed is cast on the land, the soil is covered over it with a harrow, or shovel-plough. Then God sends snow, and rain, and sunshine, which make the seed grow. At first it looks bright and green


View page [30]
like a beautiful carpet. In a few weeks after the heads form on the stem, the colour turns to a light yellow, richer than gold.

When the wheat is cut, the grains are threshed out, and some are saved for seed, and some are taken to the mill to be ground into flour to make bread. Thus doth God give bread to the eater, and seed to the sower.

spelling and reading lessons.

afford begone repine arose

behold beyond define oppose

control remind resign compose

comport desire confine impose

import provide domain dispose

support subside proclaim expose

report confide ordain suppose

invoke decide detain propose

TEA is the dried leaves of a plant, which grows in China and Japan.

COFFEE is the fruit of a plant which grows in Turkey and Arabia.

SUGAR is made by boiling the juice of a plant called sugar-cane. It grows in the West Indies, and in other warm countries.

LEADING THE BLIND

[A little boy leading a blind man, who is leaning on a cane.]

little mountains beautiful

eyesight distress enlightened

flowers goodness understanding

See this poor old blind man! He cannot see. He cannot look upon the beautiful sky, nor view the mountains, nor admire the green fields, and the gay flowers. He knows his friends only by the sound of the voice; he cannot see their faces. How very kind is this little boy to lead the poor blind man! If he should walk by himself,


View page [32]
he might fall and be hurt. But this good little boy will lead him safely wherever he wishes to go. We should always be kind to the aged, the poor, the blind, the lame, and all that are in distress. But though the blind cannot see, yet they may praise God for all his goodness, and pray for his Holy Spirit to open the eyes of their understanding. And we should thank God for our eyesight, and pray to be enlightened by his grace.

spelling in three and four syllables

alphabet apparent advertise

capable beginning bombazine

durable commander afternoon

forcible prohibit humankind

glorious republic disappoint

different replenish understand

reverend dilemma entertain

interest invention discontent

children, love one another

Two little girls, who were cousins, being at play, began to quarrel. But very soon, one of them said to her cousin: "Do we not know that Jesus Christ died for us?" Why then should we be angry with each other?" Then they ceased quarrelling, and loved each other again, when they thought how great was the love of Christ for them.

abdication complication adoration

application combination imitation

admiration nomination inclination

habitation provocation meditation

navigation consolation dedication

palpitation termination revelation

gravitation animation consecration

A man may see figures upon a dial, but he cannot tell how the day goes unless the sun shines [sic] we [sic] may read many truths in the Bible, but we cannot know them savingly till God by his Spirit shines upon our soul.

INDUSTRY

[A little boy studying a beehive.]

shining honey flower opening

account gather mischief skilfully

improve labour healthful every

FIGURES AND COUNTING

[A table showing the spelling of the numbers 1-36.]

THE GOOD LITTLE GIRL

[]

A little girl was once passing by a garden in which were some pretty flowers. She wished very much to have some of them. She could have put her hand through the fence, and taken some of them, but she knew this would be very wicked; it would be stealing.

So she would not take them, but went to the lady who owned the garden, and asked her very politely to give her some of the pretty flowers. The kind lady told her, she did right not to take them without asking for them, and then showed her all the beautiful flowers in the garden, and gave her a fine large nosegay.

If this little girl had taken the flowers without leave, and had been asked how she got them, she would most likely have told a lie to hide her first fault. And then she would have committed two great sins, stealing and lying. And then, when she went on her knees to pray at night, how very unhappy she would have been, thinking that although no one else knew her sin, yet the great God her heavenly Father knew it, and would be much displeased with he. God sees all we do. He loves us when we do right; but he does not love us when we disobey him.

1. How many days are there in a week?

Answer. Seven.

2. What are their names?

Ans. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

3. What is Sunday called in the Bible?

Ans. The Sabbath day, or the Lord's day.

4. How should we keep the Lord's day?

Ans. We should remember to keep it holy.

the good little boy

A little boy about seven years old, was on a visit to a lady, who was very fond of him.

One day, at breakfast there was some hot bread upon the table, and it was handed to him; but he would not take it. "Do you not like hot bread?" asked the lady. "Yes," said he, "I like it very much, ma'am." "Then, my dear, why do you not take some?" "Because," said he, "my father does not wish me to eat hot bread." "But your father is a great way off," said the lady, "and will not know whether you eat it or not. You may take it for once: there will be no harm in that." "No ma'am, I will not disobey my father and mother. I must do what they have told me to do, although they are a great way off. I would not touch it, if I were sure nobody would see me. I myself should know it, and that would be enough to make me unhappy."

This little boy would not disobey his parents, although they were absent and might never know it. He was a noble boy. But if this was right, how very careful should we be not to disobey our heavenly Father, who is ever present with us, and whose eye beholds us at all times!

figures, counting, &c.

FIGURES AND COUNTING

[A table showing the spelling of the numbers 37-72.]

1. How many months are there in the year?

Answer. Twelve.

2. What are their names?

Ans. January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

3. How many days are there in each month?

Ans. Thirty days hath September,

April, June, and November.

All the rest have thirty-one,

Except February alone,

Which has but twenty-eight in fine,

Till leap year gives it twenty-nine.

PRAYER.

[A little girl kneeling in prayer.]

Good children will pray to God at least every morning and evening. We should thank God for his constant goodness; and ask him for his mercy and love.

Our Lord has taught us to pray, saying:

Our father, which art in heaven! Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

prayers in verse.--morning prayer.

prayer on going to bed.

FIGURES AND COUNTING

[A table showing the spelling of the numbers 73-99.]

divisions of time

1. How many seasons are there in the year?

Answer. Four; namely, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

2. Which are the Spring months?

Ans. March, April, and May.

3. Which are the Summer months?

Ans. June, July, and August.

4. Which are the Autumn months?

Ans. September, October, and November.

5. Which are the Winter months?

Ans. December, January, and February.

6. How many hours are there in a day?

Ans. Twenty-four.

7. How many minutes in an hour?

Ans. Sixty.

8. How many seconds in a minute?

Ans. Sixty.

9. How many days in a month?

Ans. In some thirty, in some thirty-one.

10. How many months in a year?

Ans. Twelve.

11. How many years in a century?

Ans. One hundred.

easy scripture questions.

1. Who was the first man?

Answer. Adam.

2. Who was the first woman?

Ans. Eve.

3. Who was the first murderer?

Ans. Cain

4. Who was the first martyr?

Ans. Abel

5. Who was the oldest man?

Ans. Methuselah

6. Who built the ark?

Ans. Noah

7. Who was the most faithful man?

Ans. Abraham.

8. Who was Abraham's child of promise?

Ans. Isaac.

9. Who was the meekest man?

Ans. Moses.

10. Who was the most patient man?

Ans. Job.

11. Who wrestled with the angel?

Ans. Jacob.

12. Who led Israel into Canaan?

Ans. Joshua.

13. Who was the strongest man?

Ans. Sampson.

14. Who killed Goliath?

Ans. David.

15. Who was the wisest man?

Ans. Solomon.

16. Who was cast into the lions' den?

Ans. Daniel.

17. Who died to redeem us?

Ans. The Lord Jesus Christ.

18. Who is Jesus Christ?

Ans. The eternal Son of God.

19. Who was the mother of Christ?

Ans. The Virgin Mary.

20. Who was the beloved disciple?

Ans. John.

21. Who betrayed his master Christ?

Ans. Judas.

22. Who denied his Lord and Saviour?

Ans. Peter.

23. Who were struck dead for lying?

Ans. Ananias and Sapphira.

24. Who was the first christian martyr?

Ans. Stephen.

25. Who was the chief apostle to the Gentiles?

Ans. Paul.

26. Who were the four evangelists?

Ans. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

duty to god and our neighbour.

keep the sabbath holy.

the ten commandments in verse.

1. Have thou no other gods but me:

2. Before no idol bend the knee.

3. Take not the name of God in vain:

4. Dare not the Sabbath day profane.

5. Give friends and parents honour due:

6. Take heed, that thou no murder do.

7. Abstain from words and deeds unclean:

8. Steal not, though thou be poor and mean.

9. Make not a wilful lie, nor love it:

10. What is thy neighbour's do not covet.

first questions in religion.

1. Who made you?

Ans. God.

2. Who redeemed you?

Ans. Christ.

3. Who sanctifies you?

Ans. The Holy Ghost.

4. Of what were you made?

Ans. Of dust.

5. What doth that teach you?

Ans. To be humble and mindful of death?

6. For what end were you made?

Ans. To serve God.

7. How should you serve God?

Ans. By believing on his Son, praying to him, and obeying his commands.

8. To whom are you to pray?

Ans. To God only.

9. For what things are you to pray to God?

Ans. That he would bring me to Christ, renew my heart, forgive my sin, and keep me from evil.

10. What will become of you, if you die without seeking and obtaining these blessings?

Ans. I shall be banished from God with the wicked, and be shut up in hell.

11. What kind of a place is hell?

Ans. A place of endless torment.

12. Where shall you go at death, if God brings you to Christ?

Ans. I shall go to heaven, a holy and happy place, where I shall dwell for ever with God, and Christ, and all holy beings.

13. What is God's promise to the young?

Ans. "They that seek me early shall find me."

pauses and points in reading.

, Comma.

; Semicolon.

: Colon.

. Period.

() Parenthesis.

- Hyphen.

'" Accents.

-- Dash.

? Note of interrogation.

christ on the cross.

"It is better to get wisdom than gold." Gold is another's, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom is for the soul and eternity. Let that which is most precious in God's account be so in ours.

MULTIPLICATION TABLE.

[The multiplication table, from 1x1 to 12x12.]

books for children, published by the board.

T he I nfant R eader , or Easy Lessons in Reading for little Boys and Girls. Square 16mo
An admirable help to parents and teachers in instructing their infant charge.

M y O wn H ymn B ook . Illustrated with fourteen engravings. Square 16mo
The hymns are numerous, well chosen, and simple. The wood-cuts are the very best of the class, and will please the eye of even practised judges in such matters. It deserves, and will no doubt receive, a wide circulation.