APeriod of Transition 109

they would present him with a gift which might be a sum of money or a costly item such as a fur coat, a winter carriage, silver plates or other valuable objects.

A COMMITTED CLERGY

It is generally recognized that the clergy’s contribution to the development of the Acadians was outstanding. Their influence ex- tended far beyond strictly religious matters. Priests became involved in various areas where they felt they could foster the advancement of the Acadian people. As we shall examine further on, they were involved in education, cultural development, agriculture, coloniza- tion, and other areas of social concern.

According to the ultramontane ideology, all these areas were interrelated and should be under the control of the Church, not the State. Was not language the guardian of the faith? Was it not agriculture that would enable Acadians to preserve their language, their faith and their traditions? Did the future of the Catholic Church not depend on the education of young people? Given this perspective, the clergy’s involvement in socio-economic spheres constituted a duty of prime importance.

The French-speaking members of the clergy were certainly among the most ardent supporters of the Acadian cause on Prince Edward Island, as was the case elsewhere in Acadia. They became involved in any movement aimed at promoting the social advancement of Aca- dians and preserving their culture. Since laymen trusted them im- plicitly, priests often became the principal leaders of these movements. For example, the organizing committee of the first national convention of the Acadians, held in Memramcook in 1881, appointed the priest from each of the Acadian parishes as an ex officio member of the convention. The committee explained its decision in the newspaper Le Moniteur Acadien:

The clergy supported our poor people when they were attacked, took care of them in times of adversity, awakened them from their lethargy, and opened up the arsenal of education: the clergy will lay a solid foundation for our future. It is fitting that members of the clergy play a leading role in organizations such as the convention. We are relying, therefore, on their enlightenment to make this national gathering a festivity that will leave a deep and lasting impression on the life of the Acadian people. (TR)”°