Strict Moral Instruction for Children
James Janeway
A Token for Children.
Boston: 1728
Rare Book & Special Collection
Division (102.4)
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Early American children's literature tells us much more about
what parents and church leaders wanted to impress upon young minds
than what children of the day were actually thinking. A Token
for Children was the most popular book of moral instruction
for children in the eighteenth century. It contains twenty-two
examples of pious and obedient children who were well prepared
for the prospect of early death and judgement. Little Ann Greenough
who died at the age of five, "had an unspeakable delight in
catechising," and "was very frequent and constant in
secret prayer," with "thoughts of death wherein she took
such pleasure."
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