Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/720

yio A. E. Mc Kinky Duke' s Laws. Massachusetts, 1660. New Haven, 1656. " The Constable and "Forasmuch as the " Whereas too many Overseers are strictly good education of chil- Parents and Masters, required frequently to dren is of singular be- either through an over Admonish the Inhabi- hoofe and benefit to tender respect to their tants of Instructing any Common-wealth, own occasions, and their Children and Ser- and whereas many par- businesse, or not duly vants in matters of Re- ents and masters are too considering the good ligion, and the Lawes indulgent and negligent of their Children, and of the Country, And oftheirdutyinthatkind. apprentices, have too that the Parents and It is ordered that the Se- much neglected duty Masters do bring up lect men of every Town in their Education, their Children and Ap- in the several precincts, while they are young, prentices in some hon- and quarters where they and capable of learning, est Lawfull Calling La- dwel, shall have a vigi- It is ordered that . . . bour or Employment, lant eye over their all parents and Masters, And if any Children or brethren and neigh- doe duly endeavour. Servants become rude hours, to see, first that either by their own Stubborne or unruly re- none of them shall suf- ability and labour, or fusing to hearken to the fer so much barbarism b y improving such voice of their Parents in any of their families, Schoolmaster, or other or Masters the Con- as not to endeavour to helps and means, as stable and Overseers, teach, by themselves or the Plantation doth af- ( where no Justice of others, their children ford, or the family may Peace shall happen to and apprentices, so conveniently provide, dwell within ten miles much learning as may that all their children, of the said Town or enable them perfectly and Apprentices as they Parish) have power to read the english grow capable, may upon the Complaint of tongue, and knowledge through Gods blessing, their Parents or Masters of the Capital laws : attain at least so much, to call before them Such upon penaltie of twenty as to be able duly to an Offender, and to In- shillings for each ne- read the Scriptures, and fiict such Corporall pun- gleet therein. Also that other good and profit- ishment as the merrit of all masters of families, able Books in the Eng- their fact in their Judg- do once a week (at the lish tongue, being their ment shall deserve, not least) catachise their native language, and in exceeding ten Stripes, children and servants^ some competent meas- provided that such Chil- in the grounds and prin- ure, to understand the dren and Servants be of ciples of Religion, and main grounds and prin- Sixteen years of age." if any be unable to do so ciples of Christian N. V. Col. Laws, I. 26. much ; that then at the Religion necessary to least they procure such salvation. And to give children and appren- a due Answer to such tices, to learn some plain and ordinary short orthodox cata- Questions, as may . . . chism without book, be propounded con- that they may be able cerning the same ..." to answer unto the ques- [If the law be not tions, that shall be pro- observed by any parent pounded to them, out or master, after three of such catachism by months' warning, a fine their parents or masters of ten shillings to be or any of the Select levied upon him ; a