The Penny Post, Vol. 32 (London: Parker and Co., 1882), contains 4 versions of biblical-themed alphabets. On page 251f is this text submitted by a reader named “S.W.” in response to a request by “A.S.P.”: A stands for Angel, who praises the Lord. B is for Bible, God’s most holy Word. C is for Church, where the righteous resort. D is for Devil, who wishes our hurt. E is for Eve, who was mother of all. F is for Felix, who trembled at Paul. G is for Goliath, whom David brought low. H is for Heaven, where the faithful will go. I is for Isaac, “the Darling,” it seems. J is for Joseph, who told Pharaoh’s dreams. K is for Korah, the rebel struck dead. L is for Lot, who from Sodom was led. M is for Moses, the great man of God. N is for Noah, preserved from the flood. O is for Og, the great giant destroyed. P is for Peter; he Jesus denied. Q is for quail, a sad curse in disguise. R is for Rahab, who hid the two spies, S is for Saviour, and Jesus is such. T is for Thomas, who doubted too much. U is for Uzza, who died for his sin. V is for Vashti, the hard-fated queen. W is for whale, to Jonah a dread. X is a Cross, on which Jesus bled. Y is for yoke, ’tis the badge of a slave. Z is for Zaccheus, whom Jesus did save. And on page 252 is another text submitted by “E.V.”: A is for Adam, who was the first man. B is for Balaam, who to curse Israel did plan. C is for Cain, who his brother did kill. D is for Daniel, who kept the Lord’s will. E is for Elijah, who the ravens did feed. F is for Felix, of his conduct take heed. G is for Goliath, who by David was slain. H is for Haman, from envy refrain. I is for Isaac, that dutiful son. J is for Jonah, who from God tried to run. K is for Korah, who as a rebel did fall. L is for Lydia, who listened to Paul. M is for Mary, Christ’s words she did mark. N is for Noah, who was saved in the ark. O is for Obadiah, who of the prophets took care. P is for Peter, of pride and passion beware. Q is the Queen, who came wisdom to find, R is for Ruth, that daughter so kind. S is for Stephen, who suffered unmoved. T is for Timothy, his Bible he loved. U for Uzziah, King of Judea was he, V—Christ is the Vine, and a branch may I be. [W-Z are omitted.] On page 304 is a text submitted by “M.E.T.,” who recalls teaching it in Sunday-school “more than thirty years ago.” The text is nearly the same as that from The Infantile Instructer above, so I will not repeat it here. On pages 329f is a text submitted by “H.H.P.,” who recalls learning it “nearly fifty years ago”: A is for Adam, who in Eden did live; To all birds and beasts their name he did give. B is for Babel, the tower so high, The builders intended should reach to the sky. C is the Creation, when the heavens and the earth, The air and the ocean, received their first birth. D is the Deluge, that awful event, To punish bad men alone it was sent. E is for Egypt, where Joseph ruled, Though as a slave to the Ismaelite sold. F is the Fountain that opens so free, To cleanse guilty sinners just like you and me. G is the Gospel which Christ did reveal, And when on the cross did with His blood seal. H is for Haman, who hanged so high On the gallows he made for poor Mordecai. I is for Israel, whom God did choose; Perhaps better known by the name of the Jews. J is for Joshua, who with terror did fill The Amorite kings when the sun stood still. K is for Korah, who with all his allies, The earth swallowed up with awful surprise. L is for Lazarus, who, although he was dead, Was raised again by what Jesus said. M is for Mary, whom none should despise For washing Christ’s feet with the tears from her eyes. N is for Nicodemus, whom Jesus told plain Should not enter heaven unless born again. O is for Obadiah, who the Prophets did save By bringing them food while they hid in a cave. P is for Paul, of whom we may say That he laboured hard to point out the way. Q are the Quails, which God sent to feed The murmuring Jews while they stood in need. R is the Red Sea, which Israel went through When Pharaoh with chariots and horse did pursue. S is for Sampson, the Bible doth say He killed a lion that stood in his way. T is for Thomas, who would not believe, Until he had proof that his Saviour did live. U is for Uriah, who in battle was slain, When by David’s desire he went to the plain. V is the Virgin, whom Gabriel we see Declaring the mother of Jesus to be. W is the Widow, whose oil did increase, Till she from her wants found happy release. X is the Cross on which Jesus died; Alas! for my sins was He thus crucified. Y is the Young Man who came running to know The way that would lead from misery and woe. Z is for Zion, that blissful abode; Oh, may I get there to dwell with my God!
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