April, 1927
THE VALUE OF THE COL
LEGE FRATERNITY
By L. C. Wormley
(In “The Oracle.”)
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT
Page Three
There are three dominant elements in
the influence which a worthy fraternity ex
erts upon its members and these three ele
ments are, respectively, of a social, intel
lectual and fraternal nature. We will dis
cuss them in turn.
The rash desires, the decided aversions,
the abandonment of enthusiasm in favor of
nonchalance, the sheer delight of living for
its own sake, the sowing of “wild oats,” the
■emphasis on the pleasure rather than on the
obligations of life, irresponsibility, thought
lessness, even vice seem to be attributed
characteristics of modern youth. It is then,
this period of a human’s life which is most
susceptible and which needs the attention
of the most worthy influences. It is then
that our young men, in response to a
healthy curiosity, come to know the world,
come to a full cognizance of facts and the
relations between facts, to an appreciation
of thejaetuality and ideality of life through
experience.
Wideh experience is very valuable in
character formation and the average col
lege of tisday, with its conglomeration of
types, forms a splendid crucible for the
melting amf tempering of all metals. In
likewise, the fraternity, smaller, more
compact, more intimate and more intense
in the relations it "fosters is the ideal point
of contact, the perfect spot for the study
under coiTection, and not merely the slight
observation of our fellow men. This is
what should transpire in the folds of every
fraternity chapter. Men continually learn
ing new situations and increasing their
range of adaptability is the desirable situ
ation.
Is it not true that all the different traits
of our nature must get their airing through
friends ? Our personality lies dormant un
til contact w'ith some friend stimulates
some particular train in us to overt ex
pression ; and it is then the whole chorus
of the expression of these traits that teach
es us just what we are. Thus according to
this conception a friendship is now seen to
be valuable both subjectively and objectively
as a form of self-impression and as a form
of self-expression. But the fraternity, not
like a mere friendship, brushes aside the
awkward formalities incident to the pro
gression of a friendship from the initial ac
quaintance. The wearing of the same pin
is a pledge and surety of a sincere mutual
interest and foi'ros a valid introduction to
the most delicate subject; it premises the
ensuing discussion with an authorized and
expected sympathy. This is one difference
between the relationship among fraternity
brothers and that among “good fellows,”
it is one contribution which the fraternity
makes to the college world.
That youth at times is carnal and extra
vagant is very fortunate for it enables the
fraternity, standing for the principles of
restraint and aspirations to provide idealism
for the youth’s extravagance of spirit.
These ideals are created by the very care
ful restrictions the fraternity places on
the conduct of the men within the house.
Earnest effort is made via the “suggestion
and habit” route to direct the scattered en
thusiasm of the under classmen to proper
ends by the guiding effect of ideals, exem
plified by the older and more experienced
brothers. Much has been written and said
about the abuse of the social force of the
fraternity, but I feel that we can safely
deny with vigor the charges that the fra
ternity stands for little else than immor
ality, laziness and vice. In reality, the
fraternity as a social force is more laigely
used than abused.
Youth is the age of many awakenings.
Before the rapidly unfolding panorama of
personalities and events, amid a curious
jumble of experiences the member of the
rising generation must develop to a firm
station of spirit. In his own mind heter
ogeneity and confusion of ideas and ideals,
must give place to consistence and order.
The fraternity stands for a cb-6rdination
and a settling; it takes the young man “in
four of the best years of his life” and helps
him to understand, and become what he
seriously intends to be. This is its intel
lectual value.
We speak now of the purely fraternal
relationship. It is more significant indeed
than the social or intellectual side. It is
the essence of the fraternity, the brother
hood in the fullest sense of the word. The
social side represents friendship; the in
tellectual, community of interest; the fra
ternal, love. The fraternal bond is Platonic
love in the sense that Plato meant it, the
love of one man for another. This is the
ideal of fraternity; its expression is in the
treatment of the brother. Circumstances
of accidental association and separation
may govern our friendships, but not our
loves. In the fraternity, an indissoluble
tie always unites brother with brother,
there is always a commonality of opinion
on certain of the deep and fundamental
things of the spirit. It is always this per
sistent personal influence, in the light of
high ideals and common understanding,
that is the basis of the bond that exists in
the college between men of the same fra
ternity.
ALPHA PHI ALPHA
By Chas. B. Stewart, ’27
Although Spring is generally a time of
spring fever, day dreaming and castle
building, the members of Alpha Omicron
have dispensed with such, knowing that we
cannot accomplish our spring program un
der such methods.
At this time we wish to announce that
the Annual Go-to-High-School, Go-
to-College Campaign will start the last
week in April which is a little early, but
this is due to the closing of the school two
weeks earlier.
The National Annual Campaign is fos
tered throughout the United States in most
of the leading schools and churches. We
are hoping that every brother far and near
will do all in his power to foster this great
Hundreds of boys and girls have been
influenced to go to high school and after
finishing high school to go on to college
and finish college.
We have realized that if we could get
two-thirds of our boys and girls to finish
high school there would be vast changes in
the condition of our race, in fact there
would have more power.
Most right thinking people believe that
education of the right kind is going to
solve this great race problem of ours.
Our last spring festival will be “The An
nual Banquet” which will take place Friday
evening. May 6, 1927. This promises to be
the grandest occasion of the year.
SHEIK LOUI SAYS:
G. A. ASSOCIATION
By Ministerial Prognosticator
Once more the ink from the Ice Box of
the G. A. is melted enough to flow into
words and lines that will reveal the hidden
yet persuasive mysteries of the G. A. mem
bers.
At an hour when everything, everywhere
was fast asleep, the Grand Mogul rolled
the cake of ice from the ice box door and
switched on the frosted lights that sent
their penetrating rays into the guilty souls
of its members.
The temperature being 40 below absolute
zero and the atmosphere in general being
pungent with the drugs that make the wo
men talk, the tongues of all began to wag
and every heart to sag, for tales unbelieva
ble and rumors without source were start
ling the ears and causing blisters to rise
upon the consciences of every man there.
The first startling discovery was the
tremendous thunder clap from First Ward.
The Keeper of Cash, Credit and Order has
been unable to have order in his parlor
when he is absent, causing much confusion
when he is present. It seems he is not ab
sent without some other bird being pres
ent. Of course “Rudy” is not at all uneasy
as to his position but is not sure just what
relation exists between the other two. And
the funny part of it all is this other bird
is a Rice Bird, all the way from Charleston,
S. C. And women do like varieties. The Mo
gul advised this Bro. not to be no “Van
Horn.”
Next in line was “Tantalizing Potentate.”
Now “Dark Boy” is smooth and all like
that. But his sudden adventure into the
seven hundred block on First Street proves
to all that his ability as a shiek is above
par and surely beyond the range of any
other G. A. The Grand Mogul upbraided
him for his disloyalty and sent him back
to come once more by the “Keepr of Black
Balls” and “The Most Worseful Scribe.”
Rumor continued to rumble, gossip be
comes gospel and another tale was re
vealed. The Most Worseful Scribe has met
his Waterloo. Scott Harris, another
Charlestonian, has closed the valves down
on the Plank Road. Clarence was best but
Scott was better yet. We all pondered and
still wonder if Scott is often at the Fork
of the Road.
One of the latest and most startling rev
elations was the one that uncovered the ac
tivities of “Lump of Sugar,” just off the
campus. Rumor says. Prof. Chisholm
missed some grass seed and gossip says
Caviness was seen sowing some. Now
“Lump” must be dreaming of the hot moon
light night of July and August, when he
and—? (these grass seed” of course) will
lie on the cooling blades of this comforta
ble turf and enjoy the sweetness of “their”
solitude thinking of days yet unborn.
The Keeper of Black Balls, the Keeper
of the Ice Box and Ministerial Prognosti
cator were all charged with crimes of more
or less severity; some more, and Less, less;
Ray Shute entertained the other members
by a series of Quartets. His lead was bad,
his tenor worst, his baritone little better
and his bass horrible. But his number en
titled, “No matter how tough the stew beef
is you can always stick your fork in the
gravy,” was ticklish, and best of all was
a “Solow from Ankle Down.”
The most loyal members ofthe G. A. A.
are to be commended on their loyalty
Mr. T. A. “Steal” and T. L. Plair. Mr.
“Steal” is a G. A. by association and Mr.
Plair is a G. A. because of his wide expe
rience having never recovered from his fall
from “Sugar to salts” on Graham Street
during his Freshman year. To the regret
of his many friends this was the last of his
social activities. And to his anguish the
cessation in the flow of what he thought
was the wine of the cup of love. But Bum
Glenn says different. Recently he saun
tered far away to begin again but a certain
“gent” that the Freshmen call “Nap”
knows more. But we hope the Grand Mo
gul won’t feel hurt.
THE PHILOSOPHY CLUB
By W. I). Scales
It is the opinion of those interested in
Philosophy at Johnson C. Smith Universi
ty that this has been one of the most suc
cessful years the “Philosophy Club” has
had during all the years of its existence.
The club has not only increased its nu
merical strength but the heights of interest
which the club has reached is something
of which all of its members feel proud.
Fortunately we have not been able yet to
find any slacker. Each new member seems
to enlist his enthusiasm at the time of his
application.
The club had a meeting February 15. The
topic for discussion was “Personality and
Inferiority Complex.” Mr. J. J. Spearman
led the discussion with a very interesting
treatise in which he showed the relation of
“Personality and Inferiority Complex” in
society. Mr. W. E. Bailey also made- a con
tribution that was equally as interesting.
After several questions and comments
we were favored with a few helpful re
marks by Dr. T. A. Long.
At the last meeting of the club which
was held Tuesday, March 15, a very inter
esting discussion was had, the subject of
which was “Insanity and Feebleminded
ness.” ,j
Mr. C. B. Stewart gave a very impressive
paper on the problems of the mentally de
ficient and the conditions under which we
may detect such persons. The discussion
was continued by Messrs. R. W.-alR-ker
A. R. Lord with short talks on “Insanity
and Feeble-Mindedness a Social Problem.”
The club will hold its next meeting
Tuesday, April 19. The topic for discus
sion will be “The Doctrine of Pragmatism.”
OMEGA PSI PHI
(Continued from page 2)
a summer rose cherished by the morning-
dew.
On the eve of March 25, 1927 Omega’s
loyal sons, their fair dames and friends
witnessed Omega’s Annual Banquet, held
in the University Refectory. Every one
spent an enjoyable evening.
BOWDEN’S
HONEST
SHOE
REPAIRING
226 E. Trade Street
Charlotte, N. C.
Phone 953
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