New England's Puritan leaders were deeply concerned that each new generation be prepared to carry on the work the first settlers had begun. They believed that the continued success of their "city upon a hill" depended on the moral and intellectual training which parents, teachers, and ministers provided to their community's children. During the course of their childhood, Puritan youngsters were expected to develop an unwavering devotion to their faith, respect for authority both within and outside the family, a strong work ethic, and the reading skills needed to study the Scriptures for themselves.
Parents bore an enormous responsibility toward their offspring, the Puritans believed. They were the first and strongest influence on their children's moral and spiritual development. If parents failed to carefully shape their children's characters, the youngsters stood little chance of ever attaining salvation. One Puritan minister painted a frightening picture of.....
