These four Quaker samplers, designed after pieces executed at the Ackworth School in Yorkshire, England, were made as exercises not only in plain sewing skills, but as lessons in faith, humility, resolution, parsimony, self-discipline, and morality, as the student contemplated the words she was sewing during the long hours spent plying her needle. Most often, this type of sampler was stitched with cotton thread, which was much less expensive than silk.
 
Marsha has been reproducing samplers longer than pretty much anyone.  I was lucky to tour her farmstead back in the 90s, and it continues to be a memorable day.  Her reproduction charts are thorough, and come with stitch diagrams.