36 
SCOPE AED VALCE OF ARCTIC EXPLORATlOyS 
The visit of Laikoff to the New Siberian islands added eventu- 
ally a wealth of fossil ivory to Siberian trade that was onl}'’ 
second in value to the extraordinary stock of furs that grew out 
of the explorations of the Arctic valley of the Kolinia by Rus- 
sian hunters. From Hudson’s voyage to the bay of his name 
are attributable the initiation and development of the extremely 
valuable fur trade of the Hudson Bay Company. Bering failed 
to outline the definite geographic relations of the contiguous 
shores of Asia and America, but his voyages directl}’^ resulted in 
the very extensive sea and land fur trade which has proved so 
profitable through a century and a half. 
Altogether, it may be assumed that in a little over two centu- 
ries the Arctic regions have furnished to the civilized world pro- 
ducts aggregating twelve hundred millions^of dollars in value. 
Norshoulditbe inferred that commercial ends, scientific knowl- 
edge, or the glory of effort crystallized in accomplishment have 
alone turned man to the j^olar regions. The altruistic spirit of 
Egede lavished its wealth of effort in the turning of the Greenland 
Eskimo to Christianity and civilization, and it enkindled the 
flame of Christian endeavor that Crantz and the Moravian breth- 
ren kept alive during the critical phases of Greenland’s history. 
As Cowper says ; 
See Germany send forth 
Her sons to pour it on tlie fartliest north. 
Fired with a zeal j>eculiar, they defy 
The rage and rigor of a polar sky 
And plant successfully sweet Sharon’s rose 
On icy plains and in eternal snows. 
In recent days Great Britain has had its Duncan, France its 
Petitot, and the United .States its Jackson, Avhose evangelizing 
labors, acting through the more successful method — that of in- 
culcating civilization and helpfulness — are a ]>art of the glory of 
this time. The residence of Holm among the east Greenland 
natives and of Peart' with the Etah Eskimo have, it is to be hoi)ed, 
not been fruitless along these lines and should stimulate human 
sympathy for these dwellers on the northern edge of the world. 
Evert' lover of mankind will rejoice that Denmark, with the 
Christian solicitude that has always marked its polic}' towards 
the Greenlanders, has extended its unprofitable trade relations 
to east Greenland and established a missionary station at Ang- 
inagsalik for the benefit of the natives. May we not hope that 
