It was at the 2014 National Day of Prayer observance in front of the city hall in Florissant (St. Louis Area), Missouri that I heard and met recently retired public school teacher Barbara Pickett-Champion. She had been asked by her Pastor’s wife – local NDP program planner Mrs. Roderick Walker — to make comment before those of us assembled and lead in a prayer for education.
I wanted you to hear her … in her own words.
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In her teaching career, delightful teacher Barbara Pickett-Champion has taught children requiring special education; in the Kirkwood, MO, and Hazelwood MO School District. Because of her love for children, as of this writing, she still substitutes in elementary education.
She expressed her concern for the spiritual and moral decline in public education today. She powerfully made the point by, in contrast then to now, citing from the New England Primer, including its content in the radio interview. It was how educators in the early days of our country taught public school children the alphabet.
Be impressed with me … by seeing content from the New England Primer – wherein each letter in our English alphabet is illustrated by a reference from the Bible, the Word of God:
(To see graphics, go to http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/NewEnglandPrimerWeb/alpha.html, scroll down)
(In my visual copy, some letters in the old English were difficult to decipher … slight clarifications may be required in the copy below. In the printed originals, a graphic illustration from the Bible story referenced was seen beside each letter.)
A. In Adam’s Fall, We sinned all.
B. Heaven to find, The Bible mind.
C. Christ crucify’d, For Sinners dy’d.
D. The Deluge-drown’d, The Earth around
E. Elijah hid, By Ravens fed.
F. The Judgment made Felix afraid.
G. As runs the Glass, Our-Life doth pass.
H. My Book and Heart Must never part.
J. Job feels the Rod, Yet blesses GOD.
K. Prowd Korah’s Troop Was swallow’d up.
L. Lot fled to Zoar, saw fiery shower on Sodom pour
M. Moses was he Who Israel’s host led thro’ the Sea
N. Noah did view The old world & new.
O. Young Obadias, David, Josias, all were pious
P. Peter deny’d His Lord and Cry’d
Q. Queen Ester sues and saves the Jews.
R. Young pious Ruth, Left all for Truth.
S. Young Samu’l dear the Lord did fear.
T. Young Timothy Learnt Sin to fly.
V. Vasthi for Pride, was set aside.
W. Whales in the Sea, GOD’S voice obey.
X. Xerxes did die, and so must I.
Y. While Youth do cheer, Death may be near.
Z. Zaccheus he Did climb the Tree, Our Lord to see.