The Friedel text is a work created in 1740 by German Pastor, Johann Paul Friedel. He resides in the village Oberweißbach, which is part of the larger municipality of Königsee, located near the rugged Thuringian Forest. The work combines a strange collection of issues, including how to rear and educate Christian children, basic information for the common man, and a history of the perfume trade in the local community.
The beginning of the book is intended to assist in the rearing, education and disciplining of children. It illustrates the necessity of raising children in the Christian faith, and references the importance of learning such items as the Deuteronomy and the Lutheran Catechisms. Both of which give us reference into the historical period of the piece. Friedel also greatly advocates that the “fear of God” should be instilled into people’s lives, and furthermore that the “fear of Lord is the genesis of wisdom”. He states that both parents and children must use this fear to rule their decision making and lifestyle choices, and if so will be rewarded with an honourable, joyful life.
The book is created to give both parents and teachers a reference guide of subjects that children should learn in order to develop into a knowledgeable honest adult, including reading and writing skills, and basic arithmetic. The piece uses common sense logic and aims to teach the basic skills such as proper greetings, common letter writing techniques and basic mathematic requirements. Friedel does this so that children of all classes can utilize the guide and be educated into valuable adults, a conception that was not popular at the time. This is one of the greatest things that Friedel advocates; that all children, regardless of class should be given the benefit of education. It does however fully omit the education of girls, and furthermore the only reference to women