Evangelical Balance Sheet

B. Anne Wood

Description

Using the journals of W. Norman Rudolf (1835-1886), a Victorian merchant, Evangelical Balance Sheet: Character, Family, and Business in Mid-Victorian Nova Scotia explores the important role of character ideals and evangelicalism in mid-Victorian culture. Rudolf’s diary, with its daily weather observations, its account of family matters, of social and business happenings, and of his own experiences, as well as occasional literary or naturalistic forays, attempts to follow a disciplined regime of writing, but also has elements of a Bildungsroman. The diary reveals an obvious and significant tension between his inner, spiritual search for meaning in his life (evangelical inwardness) and his outward stewardship duties. Rudolf’s concept of character, then, involved a type of balance sheet of his evangelical service record, to his God, his family, his business, and his community. Needing God’s help to transform his will and to interpret the world in a constructive, rational manner, the underlying intent of his daily journal writing was to keep his commitment to an ethic of benevolence and of the affirmation of the goodness of human beings.

Wood elucidates the cultivation of civic-minded masculinity in the context of Victorian Maritime Canada, analyzing the multiple facets of the character ideal and emphasizing its important role in Victorians’ understanding of their life experiences. In the process Wood reveals many underlying assumptions about social change and about civic discourse. The book also describes how the tremendous economic upheavals experienced by many entrepreneurs in the late 1860s to 1880s tempered their evangelical zeal and made it increasingly difficult for them to achieve a balanced and humane perspective on their own lives.

Evangelical Balance Sheet will appeal to a broad audience interested in social history, imperial studies, gender studies (especially changing ideas of masculinity and manhood), Atlantic Canada studies, and local history of the Pictou region.

Informations

• Publié par: Wilfrid Laurier University Press
• Date de parution: 26 octobre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781554588237
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Evangelical Balance Sheet
Character, Family, and Business in Mid-Victorian Nova Scotia
Studies in Childhood and Family in Canada
Studies in Childhood and Family in Canada is a multidisciplinary series devoted to new perspectives on these subjects as they evolve. The series features studies that focus on the intersections of age, class, race, gender, and region as they contribute to a Canadian understanding of childhood and family, both historically and currently.
Series Editor Cynthia Comacchio Department of History Wilfrid Laurier University
Manuscripts to be sent to Brian Henderson, Director Wilfrid Laurier University Press 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
Evangelical Balance Sheet
Character, Family, and Business in Mid-Victorian Nova Scotia
B. Anne Wood
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program for our publishing activities.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Wood, B. Anne (Beatrice Anne), 1937-
Evangelical balance sheet: character, family, and business in mid-Victorian Nova Scotia / B. Anne Wood.
(Studies in childhood and family in Canada) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-88920-500-0 ISBN-10: 0-88920-500-0
1. Rudolf, W. Norman, 1835-1886-Diaries. 2. Rudolf, W. Norman, 1835-1886-Religion. 3. Rudolf, W. Norman, 1835-1886-Family. 4. Nova Scotia-Social life and customs-19th century. 5. Nova Scotia-History-1784-1867. 6. Nova Scotia- History-1867-1918. 7. Nova Scotia-Economic conditions-19th century. 8. Merchants-Nova Scotia-Diaries. I. Title. II. Series.
FC2322.1.R83W65 2006 971.6 02092 C2006-902838-9
2006 Wilfrid Laurier University Press Waterloo, Ontario, Canada www.wlupress.wlu.ca
Cover design by Sandra Friesen, using a photograph by J. Kennedy, courtesy of Margo (Rudolf) Coleman. Background image is a page from A Collection of Gaelic Poetry by Dr. Hector Maclean in Mull from the Gaelic Collection of the Nova Scotia Archives and Record Management. Text design by Catharine Bonas-Taylor.

Printed in Canada
Every reasonable effort has been made to acquire permission for copyright material used in this text, and to acknowledge all such indebtedness accurately. Any errors and omissions called to the publisher s attention will be corrected in future printings.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright licence, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free to 1-800-893-5777.
To the memory of Mum, whose idealism was always balanced by respect for de l ordinaire
We have two natures, or lives-
one our natural one, which is not always
allowed to develop or have fair play,
and the other the worldly-the struggle-for-life
-the business hard-sided one.
- W. Norman Rudolf, Journal, vol. 3, 17 September 1875
W. Norman Rudolf, 30 January 1878. Notman Collection 36090, Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, N-8837

Mrs. W. Norman Rudolf (Cassie), 3 November 1906. Courtesy of Margo (Rudolf) Coleman, Toronto
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
List of Persons
Introduction
1 Character Distinctions
2 Private Character
3 Public Character
4 Militia Culture
5 Stylistic Essays
6 Evangelical Leadership
7 Mature Character
8 Later Life
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This ship has been on a long journey. At the start, two family descendants of Norman Rudolf, Robert Weld and Margo (Rudolf) Coleman, loaned me the original journals and searched for family photographs. The Right Reverend A.G. Peters, Bishop of Nova Scotia, and the Reverend Dale Cuffe, Rector of St. James Anglican Church, Pictou, granted me permission to examine the church records of St. James Church. The staff at the Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management (NSARM), especially Barry Cahill, were very helpful in assisting me to locate the limited family-source materials. As we were in the process of moving from Pictou to Victoria, BC, I appreciated the excellent photocopying work done by Ginny Clarke of the microfilm copies of Rudolf s journals housed at NSARM. I thank all for helping me launch this vessel.
During the voyage, many people guided me. A number offered me valuable navigational tips and professional advice, and suggested further sources to explore-Peter Clarke and Maria Tippett, Faith Gildenhuys, Lynne Marks, John Money, Eric Sager, and Ann West. Several anonymous readers provided constructive criticism. I thank all of them for their assistance. I also greatly appreciated the encouragement and support of my husband, Connla Wood, over the many years of my Pictou research and writing. During rough storms and long doldrums, he proved a steadying hand at the tiller. Finally, I thank Wilfrid Laurier University Press for piloting this vessel to a safe haven, especially Lisa LaFramboise for her excellent editorial work.
LIST OF PERSONS
Archibald, George
Pictou tanner, owner of house purchased by Rudolf
Bayne, Rev. George
minister of Prince Street Church, Pictou
Binney, Bishop Hibbert
Anglican bishop of Nova Scotia
Burchell, Captain
co-owner and master of Henquist
Carr , Henry
brother of Rachel Primrose
Christie, Dr. George
physician at Pictou, Pictou delegate YMCA Halifax conference
Clark, Captain
master of Duart Castle 1863
Crerar, John
Pictou merchant, neighbour of Norman Rudolf, ship-builder
Crow, George
Liverpool merchant, brother-in-law of Rudolf, partner in Crow, Bogart, and Rudolf
Crow, Jane
wife of George, daughter of Robert Dawson
Davies, Wm. H.
iron founder, owner of Pictou Foundry and Machine Co.
Dawson, J. William
Nova Scotia superintendent of Education(1850-1853), principal of McGill University (1855-1893)
Dawson, John Adam
Pictou merchant, son of Robert Dawson
Dawson, Robert
Pictou merchant, father of Jane Crow, Maggie Scott, Cassie Rudolf, John Adam Dawson, and Smith Dawson
Dawson, Smith
Pictou clerk and merchant, son of Robert
Douglas, Alex
co-owner with James Porter of Riversdale property
Douglas, Hugh
nephew of James Primrose, Wine Harbour bank agent
Doull, J.W.
Halifax merchant and director of Bank of Nova Scotia
Doull, Robert
Pictou merchant, Conservative, lt. col. in Pictou militia
Dunlop, C.H.
manager of Riversdale spool mill
Dwyer, Cornelius
Pictou auctioneer
Elliott, Rev. Charles
rector, St. James Anglican Church, Pictou
Elliott, George
Pictou lawyer, son of Charles Elliott
Fleming, Sandford
chief engineer of eastern extension of Intercolonial Railway
Fogo, James
Pictou lawyer
Forbes, Captain
co-owner of Henquist and of W.W. Lord; master of latter (1866)
Forrester, Rev. Alexander
2nd Nova Scotia superintendent of Education; principal Normal School
Fraser, Christiana
wife of J.D.B. Fraser
Fraser, J.D.B.
Pictou pharmacist, entrepreneur, Liberal, temperance leader
Fraser, Kate
daughter of Christiana and J.D.B. Fraser, friend of Cassie, engaged to Rev. McPhee
Fraser, Dr. Thomas
brother of J.D.B. Fraser, mesmerist, entrepreneur
Fraser, Capt. W.A.
master of Magnet and of Dayspring (Pictou mission ship to Aneityum)
Gaetz, Rev. Leonard
Pictou Wesleyan Methodist minister, temperance activist
Geddie, Charlotte
daughter of Rev. John Geddie, friend of Rudolfs
Geddie, Rev. John
1st Presbyterian foreign missionary from Nova Scotia (to Aneityum)
Genever, Rev. Henry
2nd curate, St. James Anglican Church, Pictou
Gordon, Rev. James D.
Pictou missionary, martyred at New Hebrides
Gordon, Joseph
Pictou merchant, partner of Smith Dawson
Grant, George M.
Presbyterian minister, St. Matthew s Church, Halifax
Hamilton, George
owner Hamilton Biscuit Co., Pictou
Harris, Minnie
adopted daughter of Mrs. Robert Dawson
Herdman, Rev. A.H.
minister of St. Andrew s (Kirk) Church, Pictou
Hockin, Daniel
Pictou merchant, County custos, member of St. James Parish Council
Hockin, John
Pictou merchant, replaced Rudolf as warden of St. James Church and as commission agent in Scotland
Holmes, Simon
Pictou lawyer, Conservative appointee at post office in Pictou
Howe, Joseph
journalist, politician, premier of Nova Scotia (1859-1863)
Ives, James
Pictou merchant, officer in Pictou militia
Ives, John T.
Pictou merchant, member of House of Assembly
Johnston, Dr. George
medical surgeon, Pictou militia marksman
Johnston, J.W.
premier of Nova Scotia 1863-1864, Conservative
Kaulbach, Rev. Albert
Church of England missionary at River John
Lauder, Capt.
master of Lord Chancellor and Rothiemay
Laurie, Col. John Wimburn
Capt. of the Fourth Regiment, NS, provincial militia inspector
Lippincott, Aubrey
principal of Pictou Academy, Dalhousie medical student
Macdonald, E. M.
publisher of Halifax Citizen , Liberal member of House of Assembly (MHA)
McArthur, Rev.
Evangelical Union minister, Pictou
McCullagh, Rev. William
Presbyterian missionary to Aneityum after Rev. Geddie
McDonald, Capt. Daniel
master and co-ow