It being one chief project of that old deluder, Satan,
to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times by
keeping them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times by persuading
from the use of tongues, that so that at least the true sense and meaning
of the original might be clouded and corrupted with false glosses of saint-seeming
deceivers; and to the end that learning may not be buried in the grave
of our forefathers, in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our
endeavors.
It is therefore ordered that every township in this jurisdiction,
after the Lord hath increased them to fifty households shall forthwith
appoint one within their town to teach all such children as shall resort
to him to write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents
or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in general, by way of
supply, as the major part of those that order the prudentials of the town
shall appoint; provided those that send their children be not oppressed
by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns.
And it is further ordered, that when any town shall increase
to the number of one hundred families or householders, they shall set up
a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far
as they may be fitted for the university, provided that if any town neglect
the performance hereof above one year that every such town shall pay 5
pounds to the next school till they shall perform this order.
« See also Massachusetts Bay School Law of 1642.