248 LABRADOR 
In relation to ignorance: where once scarcely a single 
settler could read or write, and where ignorance always 
meant serious disadvantage in economic relations, travel- 
ling loan libraries have been established, small schools 
helped, and now and again, as it was possible, teachers 
supplied. Indifference and apathy had to be met with 
education as the corrective message of affection. 
To the absolute helplessness of orphan childhood there 
can be only one Christian sermon; that was first preached 
by carrying the child to another country where it could 
be fed and clothed by an orphanage with a volunteer nurse 
to mother the children. 
Some of the poverty caused by the impossibility of 
obtaining remunerative work has been relieved through 
the industry of the lumber mill, through the industries 
of schooner, barge, and boat building, sealskin boot mak- 
ing, and through other small efforts to use the country’s 
own resources. It is hoped that in digging and drying peat, 
in working the local clay, and in weaving homespuns, 
much may yet be done; experiments in all these lines are 
in progress. 
Open hostility to the liquor traffic has always been the 
attitude of the Mission. In the most populous areas pro- 
hibition has been secured. [Illicit rumsellers have been 
ferreted out and fined, or otherwise punished. In St. 
punishment, but the debt or balance still holds good in spite of sup- 
plies having been given, and can besuedfor. Also, if in the absence 
of shops or passing suppliers necessaries of life have to be given by 
employees, they must be at cost price for cash, the price for outfits 
being a definite percentage above St. John’s prices to cover cost of 
freight and charges. The trouble is, however, we have good laws 
but bad customs, and poor execution of law.” 
