...Elizabeth, cap. 2 (1601) it makes an additional provision obligating masters to teach all apprentices "to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country." The General Court in 1647 again took an advanced position in school legislation by enacting as follows:...

...fund, were transplanted to Massachusetts. In addition they provided that each child should be able to " read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws ' ' of thecountry. Calvinism demanded that each person should be able to read the Bible. Salvation depended...

...departed. The Massachusetts law entrusting to selectmen the duty of seeing that children were taught to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws was not enacted until 1642, and the School Ordinance of 1647 followed the departure of Roger Williams...

...labor and other employments profitable to the Commonwealth"; and if the children were being taught "to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country." The officers were empowered to impose fines on those who failed to give proper instruction, or to report...

...of Massachusetts provided that all parents and masters should teach their children and apprentices " to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country," as well as to train them in a useful trade. This basic idea spread throughout New England and to the...

...General Court Order of 1642 obliged all masters and parents to teach their apprentices and children "to read and understand the principles of .religion and the capital laws of the country" as well as to train them in profitable employments. The act was enforced by the selectmen who were...

...parents and the masters of apprentices (R. 190) were training their children "in learning and labor" and "to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country." This latter law is remarkable in that, for the first time in the English-speaking world, a legislative...

...authorities the power to punish by fines those who refused to give an account of the instruction received by their children, "especially of their ability to read...the principles of religion and the capital laws of this country." In case a child's education were persistently neglected, the officials of the town had...

...out how the children were occupied. They were especially instructed to inquire into the children's "ability to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country." Anticipating that many parents or masters would object to this prying, the lawmakers were careful to...

...1642, deals with the training of children "in learning and labor." It insists that they be taught " to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of this country," and it also stipulates that they be provided with hemp and flax and "the tools and implements...