Again, several weeks ago I was challenged by the statement of the Reverend W. Macleod, who met with the press and representatives of the churches in Charlottetown to introduce us to "The Canadian Conference on Church and Society. with the subtitle, "Christian Conscience and Poverty". He reminded us, as does Pierre Berton in The Smug Minority. that besides the three million Canadians who are destitute (that is, families of four where total earnings did not reach $2,000) there are two million more living in poverty, and another two million living in privation. These statistics tell us that more than seven million people - more than a third ofthe nation — live in a state of destitution, poverty and privation. This is in Canada. with its high standard ofliving.

He went on to tell us about his experiences in Africa and India, where in India a man would follow a cow that he might pick up the dung, to dry it to cook a meal ofa mealy porridge. the only meal he would eat in two days. No wonder these people are listless! And then the startling observation - we have the know-how, we have the technical ability, we have the resources to feed the world. But we don't have the will power or the moral drive.

Last week we gathered in Truro at an Ecumenical Conference that included Anglicans, Baptists. Presbyterians, Lutherans. Roman Catholics and United churchmen. Here we studied together the document. "Ecumenical Designs", which is one ofthe pivotal study documents for "the National Consultation on the Church in Community Life." Here we learned something ofthe shape of the emerging society, the society in which you (graduates) will spend your life. and make or not make your contribution. We learned that it will be a society (a) of scientific super-structure. largely as a result of computers and cybemation replacing manual labour and providing leisure; (b) of urbanisation, even of rural areas, through television and consolidation; the new community will not be determined by geography. but by a social pattern; (c) ofseeularisation, we shall be the masters ofour faith. to live as though God does not exist. and if He does exist it doesn't make any difference. (In this society) situation ethics and expediency will be the criterion ofconduct.

But the Church's function will be to conserve values. to (guide) a society which lacks purpose and direction, in which success is gauged by a man's intelligent self—interest. and to (show) concern for the full unity ofthe human family.

The Church, against this background. is called to be herself. the redeeming society, to do for society that which it cannot do for itself. The Church - who is the Church? "Ye are the Body of Christ." The Church must call the world - people - to right priorities. We have gotten our priorities wrong. Jesus said

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