It was the unanimous opinion of all those participating, that the congress at Sturgeon Falls, September 3, 4, 5, was a magnificent success. From every point of view: material decorations, enthusiasm, the talks, the joy of the members, their determination, there was little left to be desired. The congress was remarkable also by the number of people attending as well as by the diversity of localities from which they came. By the time of the first session on Saturday evening, there wasn't an empty seat in the big arena. Many people had to stand up while listening to Gerard Mercier's dynamic and fascinating review of the Social Credit year which was being brought to a close.
The band from Levis, under the direction of Brother Després, arrived the same evening, with fifty two musicians. This group was to enthrall the congress members for the next two days with its brilliant uniforms, its discipline, its flair, the quality of its music and the expertness with which it executed its manoeuvres. This band was transported from Levis to Sturgeon Falls, a dist- ance of 550 miles, by bus, through the generosity of Mr. Jean-Marie Boivin of Montmagny. The group was given lodgings at the convent of the Sisters of Wisdom in Sturgeon Falls.
Crediters came from all over the country; from the east and the south-east from New Brunswick, travelling 990 miles from Moncton to Sturgeon Falls; and from the north as far away as Alberta, a distance of 2,400 miles!
Saturday was a beautiful day for the trip over the roads of Quebec and Ontario. But in the evening clouds covered the sky and a heavy rain fell. It was in this rain that the congress members separated and travelled to the various districts about Sturgeon Falls where they received the hospitality of the generous people of this region. The rain in no way dampened the en- thusiasm of the people nor their determination to make Sunday a really big day.
Sunday morning everyone met at the Sacred Heart Church for services. By that time the clouds had begun to disperse and soon the sun was shining brilliantly.
Most of the Crediters had come well-supplied with hampers of provisions and took their meals in the big hall where coffee was served to all who wished it. This taking of meals together has been one of the important factors making for the great spirit of brotherliness, the charity, the solidarity which distinguishes our movement from any other organization. This spirit has made the Union of Electors a growing and indissoluble force.
The parade on foot through the streets of Sturgeon Falls, with the great square of young folks carrying flags, with the magnificent band from Levis in their blue and white uniforms, their instruments kindling the air, with the long ranks of Crediters following and the great honor guard of 400 banners bringing up the rear, was something the people of Sturgeon Falls will not soon forget.
On the return to the arena, in spite of the heat, an immense crowd thronged in and listened attentively and with long and frequent bursts of applause to the discourses delivered by our directors. The mayor of Cache-Bay who was present in the absence of the mayor of Sturgeon Falls, wished the Crediters a hearty welcome in the name of the entire population of the region. This same population had already displayed its grand hospitality and its acceptance of the Crediters by the way in which it provided lodgings for all our members. We thank them from the depths of our hearts.
In the evening, the band took its stand before the arena and gave a fine musical concert along with various manoeuvres which drew the hearty applause of the onlookers. Afterwards it formed ranks, entered the hall and mounted the platform. There it played its farewell selections and then took its departure. We thank the band for its magnificent contribution to the success of the congress, and special thanks to the director, Rev. Brother Després.
The evening opened with a dynamic appeal from Gérard Mercier for each and every Crediter to throw himself energetically and enthusiastically into the work of building a Social Credit community in this land of ours, and thus contribute to the opening of a new and better civilization.
Finally came the presentation of the Passion Play which has become such a welcome part of our congresses of late. It was excellently played, the actors by this congress having had ample practice in their roles. The costuming and props have been improved after each presentation, so that we might say without any exaggeration, that it has become a "professional" performance.
So ended the Sunday of the Congress at Sturgeon Falls.
On Monday morning the Crediters filled the Church of the Resurrection, at 7:00 a.m. for Mass. After this, breakfast was had and then the Crediters gathered for a final session at the arena. Should anyone wonder why Crediters place such importance upon the religious element in their assemblies, the answer is that any building is in vain unless the Lord buildeth — according to the sentiment of the Psalmist. Furthermore, the very philosophy and principles of Social Credit are based upon Christian doctrine, upon the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men under God. Hence, to expect to build a new civilization on the principles of Social Credit without Divine aid, would be sim- ply to bay the moon.
At 9:00 a.m. the farewell session began. Representatives from each section of the country followed one another before the microphone. Each and everyone, speaking for his fellows, announced their decision to give more and more of their time and energy to furthering the work of the movement especially in the matter of taking subscriptions to our papers which are the principal tools whereby the work of the movement is furthered.
Then our full-time workers, both those who work far afield and those whose duties keep them in our offices at Montreal, were presented to the gathering. A young lady from Hearst, Ontario, was welcomed into the fold of the full-time workers. The previous congress at Granby had given us a young man; now it was Ontario's turn to furnish us with a new missionary.
Then there were two final short but brilliant appeals made to our people by Gérard Mercier and Hervé Provencher. Thanks were addressed to all those who by their labours had contributed directly to the great success of the Congress; the Directors said their last few words of farewell, and then, not without some little emotion, the Social Credit "family" broke up and dispersed to their far-flung homes.
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