If it would not be suspected of Flattery, I could tell the World what an Acquaintance with Scripture, what a Knowledge of Religion, what a Memory of Divine things both in Verse and Prose is found among you; and what a just and regular account is given of Sermons at your Age; to awaken all the Children that shall read these Songs, to furnish their memories and beautify their Souls like yours.  The Honour you have done me in learning by heart so large a number of the Hymns I have publish’d, perhaps has been of some use towards these greater Improvements, and gives me rich Encouragement to offer you this little Present.

Since I have ventured to shew a Part of your early Character to the World, I perswade my self you will remember, that it must inlarge and brighten daily.  Remember what the World will expect from the Daughters of Sir Thomas Abney’s Family, under such an Education, such Examples, and after such fair and promising Blossoms of Piety and Goodness.  Remember what God himself will expect at your hands, from whose Grace you have received plentiful Distributions in the Beginning of your Days.  May the Blessings of his Right Hand more enrich you daily, as your Capacities and your Years increase; and may he add bountifully of the Favours of his Left Hand, Riches and Honour.  May his Grace make you so large a Return of all the Kindness I have received in your Family, as may prevail above the fondest Hopes of your Parents, and even exceed the warmest Prayers of

Your most Affectionate Monitor and obliged Servant in the daily Views of a future World,

I. WATTS.

Theobalds,

June 18.
1715.

PREFACE To all that are concerned in the Education of Children.

My Friends,

It is an awful and important charge that is committed to you.  The wisdom and welfare of the succeeding generation are intrusted with you beforehand, and depend much on your conduct.  The seeds of misery or happiness in this world, and that to come, are oftentimes sown very early, and therefore whatever may conduce to give the minds of children a relish for vertue and religion, ought in the first place to be proposed to you.

Verse was at first design’d for the service of God, tho’ it hath been wretchedly abused since.  The ancients among the Jews and the Heathens taught their children and disciples the precepts of morality and worship in verse.  The children of Israel were commanded to learn the words of the song of Moses, Deut. 31. 19,30.  And we are directed in the New Testament, not only to sing with grace in the heart, but to teach and admonish one another by hymns and songs, Eph. 5. 19. and there are these four advantages in it: 

1.  There is a greater delight in the very learning of truths and duties this way.  There is something so amusing and entertaining in rhymes and metre, that will incline children to make this part of their business a diversion.  And you may turn their very duty into a reward, by giving them the privilege of learning one of these songs every week, if they fulfil the business of the week well, and promising them the book itself when they have learned ten or twenty songs out of it.