New Guide to the English Tongue 1740, published first in England by Thomas Dilworth, grew to gain universal adoption in the New England schools by 1765.  This book contained spelling, reading and grammar lessons, "adorned with proper Scriptures."  Its first lesson, having words only three letters long or less, went as such:

"No Man may put off the Law of God.  The Way of God is no ill Way.  My Joy is in God all the Day.  A bad Man is a Foe to God." ¹

Noah Webster, known as the "Schoolmaster to America," used only the Bible and Thomas Dilworth's book in his earliest school.  Thomas Dilworth said he wanted to rescue:

"Poor creatures from the Slavery of Sin and Satan by setting the word of God for a Lantern to our feet and a Light to out Paths." ²

¹ 1740, Thomas Dilworth, London.  H. R. Warfel, Noah Webster - Schoolmaster to America (New York: Octagon Press, 1966), pp. 11-13.  Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 75-76.

² ibid.