THE HEROES OF HOPEDALE
Hopedale, with the exception of Makkovik, which harbors only two
families, is the southernmost settlement of the Eskimos and one of
the principal posts of the Moravian missions. Unknown to the world at
large, the Moravians have been carrying on a wonderful missionary work
on this desolate coast and great have been their services. In the first
place they have formed the one barrier between the primitive Eskimo
and the ruin which has been the inevitable accompaniment of contact
with the white race. Had it not been for these good Samaritans there
would not be a single Eskimo in Labrador to-day! For when all the
rest of the people who have dealings with the natives have striven to
encourage their destruction, these brave missionaries, and they alone,
have held firm for the right, have waged a never-ceasing fight against
all who threatened the welfare of their wards. No obstacle has proved
too great; no effort has been too tiring; not even a lack of funds has
deterred these indomitable evangelists from doing their duty where they
found it. They have converted the Eskimos to Christianity and endowed
them with the priceless gift of the true Christian spirit of brotherly
love. Aside from their religious work, they are the only agency for
carrying on education in Northern Labrador, both among Eskimos and
whites. Owing to their untiring efforts the Eskimos have been uplifted
from a state of complete ignorance and savagery to a status of
civilization and education.
At their Makkovik station the Moravians maintain a boarding school for
boys, up there education being considered the heritage of the male
alone. At this school the children are given board and lodging and as
much education as their untrained minds can assimilate. This board,
lodging and education they receive for fifty cents a week! Yet such is
the poverty of these people that most of the families find it well-nigh
impossible to pay even this modest sum.
The school consisted of one bare classroom furnished with a few
rough desks and chairs, while across the hall a room comprised the
dormitory. I could not help comparing it to the elaborately equipped
plant which I had so recently left. At this primitive school there
were no spacious athletic fields, no huge, airy dormitories, no
stately towers, no gymnasium of any description. We, in this country,
can hardly conceive of a crack school, for that is what this one is
considered, not having at least a gymnasium. The children came to
learn and for no other reason. There were no dances, no gay parties
or entertainments and no competitive sports--in short, education was
reduced to terms of severest simplicity. None the less it is, I dare
say, more appreciated and more highly respected than it is in many
other places.
The fearless regard of these missionaries for justice and impartiality
has been the shield and buckler of the simple aborigine against the
unscrupulous avarice of the trader and the demoralizing influence of
the depraved white. Much also have they done for the poverty-stricken
white settler, educating the children, bringing relief to the bereaved,
and keeping alive in the breasts of all the spirit of honesty and
idealism. In addition to their care for the things of the spirit, they
were the first to introduce medical aid to The Labrador. Truly have
they carried out in the broadest sense the words of the Master when
he said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel unto every
creature.”
What a glorious epic of Christian service has been their ministry
on this coast! Clear and strong as to the apostles of old came the
call of duty--that inspiring lodestone which has drawn forth the
noblest and best from the men of all ages. Home and kindred, material
rewards, ease and luxury were as naught before it. The stern dictates
of conscience to them comprised the sole path to joy and happiness.
But how little we realize the trials and deprivations that their
self-imposed exile necessitates; how many of the little things that
to us seem so necessary they must perforce do without. A prized
possession of one of the missionaries was an old camera dating back to
1870. This he displayed with great pride one afternoon while we were
taking tea at the mission. It consisted of a cumbersome old box on a
tripod, of which the only method of regulating the diaphragm opening
was by inserting brass plugs with a proper sized hole bored in them. He
handled this venerable machine with the affection born of long years
of association. While we were examining it, his kindly wife brought
forth with pride several bulky albums filled with the results of her
husband’s efforts. We opened these and great was our surprise to see
the beautiful quality and real artistry of these pictures. He was an
artist to the soul, and with proper equipment what pictures he might
have taken!
No one better realized the strict economy under which these people
perforce must labor, than did the Commander, and it was at his
suggestion that the Zenith Radio Corporation, which had supplied
us with our radio equipment, donated several receiving sets for
distribution among the worthy missionaries. One of these we presented
to Mr. Perrit, the minister at Hopedale, and when he heard the music,
his gratitude and delight were so touching that we wished we might do
infinitely more for him and his cause.
Never a strong sect, the Moravians have made up in zeal and quality
of service what they lack in money and numbers. With no prospect of
reward from the world, they have carried on year in and year out. Many
an opportunity for improvement have they seen slip for lack of funds,
but undaunted they have kept their faith and courage in spite of the
most disheartening discouragements. When one brother succumbed another
was always ready to fill the gap. Their service to humanity cannot be
over-rated. Theirs is the true understanding.
But it seems that their long ministry soon may end. Never a strong
sect, in the last few years they have suffered from many ill-advised
attacks. During the war many of them were interned by the Newfoundland
government, and their bishop was deported--acts not unlike those
earlier perpetrated against the simple Acadian farmers. The great
fur-trading companies have been making every effort to crowd them out.
Last year unfortunately they were obliged to abandon their northernmost
station to the Hudson’s Bay Company, and it is not unlikely that unless
aid is soon forthcoming from some source, their remaining stations will
suffer a like fate.
All true friends of Labrador who know of the labors of this noble
group will view with regret the passing of this earnest organization
which has accomplished so much for these simple children of the
north. My strong personal hope is that the necessary funds for the
perpetuation of this fine work may be realized. A few thousand dollars
will mean worlds of help to them, and when one sees, he realizes the
worth-whileness of giving to such a cause as is supported by these
apostles of the outposts of civilization.