Starting from an early age
The Young Man's Friend by Daniel C. Eddy (1865)
The Young Man’s Friend is a guide to teach young men the proper way to act in society. Daniel Eddy was a U.S. clergyman and former speaker of the house for Massachusetts. He was a member of the “Know nothing” political party whose policies were focused on a nativist/anti-Catholic agenda.[1] The theology of Daniel Eddy is present in his writing. A vast majority of the book’s advice is centered on a young man’s obligation to follow the rules of the bible. The book is fragmented into ten separate lectures relating to proper conduct throughout life.
1: The 1st lecture is titled Elements of Manly Discourse and deals primarily with promoting virtue elevating the race, and being subservient to the demands of god. Eddy also makes special note that when he talks about race, we should consider all skin colors as a part of the same human race. In his eyes, we are all creations of god and should be treated with the same dignity.
2: Youth and its potential to set one up for success or failure. Youth is the formation of character and sets the tone for the rest of your life.
3: The four sources of success in life. Those four sources are temperance, honesty, frugality, and industry.
4: How young men should properly amuse themselves. This includes activities such as traveling, music, literature, social gatherings, art, and worship.
5: What forms of amusements to avoid. These include gambling, the theatre, dancing, and social drinking.
6: Wealth and fame. Both are non-permanent and should not be one's sole goal in life. Wealth and fame will lead to crime and villany if left unchecked so it is necessary to be cautious.
7: This lecture devotes special attention to the subject of gambling and its potential to corrupt innocence. Gambling is a system of prodigality. To Eddy, gambling is theft and falsehood and should be avoided by anyone who considers themselves righteous.
8: Intemperance. Drinking is a vile act which produces poverty. It tears apart families, creates idiocy, and promotes madness. In addition, drinking will also exclude one from being admitted into heaven.
9: l self-reflection and the detection of sin. Reverence requires an individual to evaluate their position and realize when he has not been true to god’s word. When a person recognizes they have sinned, it is their moral responsibility to confess their transgression but also to make any necessary amends god.
10: The final lecture deals directly with the bible. Eddy calls the bible a perfect guide for all life’s problems. The hymns and poems of scripture provide an instructive basis on which all courses of action should be considered.
This source is significant because it represents a significant change during the antebellum period. In terms of ethics, the antebellum period is associated with two things. First, an influx of religious etiquette books. The Young Man’s Friend is less important on its own but when considered in light of so many similar books. It and others like it represent a part of a larger movement to tie ethics to religion.[2] The second ethical trend of the antebellum period was secularization. During the time there was a large movement away from traditional religious devotion. The publication of so many religious etiquette texts represents a movement by religious groups to regain public morality.[3] The trend towards secular ideology was a threat to social and moral order. To save that order from destruction it was necessary to present morality and reverence as parts of the same whole.
[1] Bill Kemp. “‘Know Nothings’ opposed immigration in Lincoln’s day.” The Pantagraph. Jan. 17, 2016. http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/know-nothings-opposed-immigration-in-lincoln-s-day/article_504e1b70-3331-5640-9248-0fc62c866a39.html
[2]The North American Review 102, no. 211 (1866): 608. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25107934.
[3] Laurence R. Moore. "Religion, Secularization, and the Shaping of the Culture Industry in Antebellum America." American Quarterly. 41, no. 2 (1989): 216. doi:10.2307/2713023.
The above photo is taken from the inside cover of The Young Man’s Friend by Daniel C. Eddy. The book is written to teach young men about the importance of following the will of god in their everyday lives. To Eddy, a person cannot think himself a moral man if he is unwilling to submit to god's will. God’s will is final, sovereign, and supreme. The only way one can enter into heaven is by being fully penitent and submissive. The book presents an antiquated perspective on ethics that is steeped in protestant theology. Ethics are synonymous with devotion and a person cannot consider themselves a good person without first being a protestant Christian. The picture is a metaphor for the themes of the book. It shows a couple who appear to be contemplating an impending journey. The journey is life, Eddy is trying to demonstrate that life is fraught with peril and dangers. It is only through foresight and great care that true happiness can be found.