Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/186

 adviser rather than a director of the affairs of the chapter, and that the character of his criticisms destroyed his influence for good. Nor could he appreciate the fact that the chapter was in a better condition, had a better standing, and had higher ideals than when he was an active member of it. His presence was endured, but his advice, even such of it as was worth while, was entirely discredited.

I believe that those men who have been a part of the fraternity, who have worked for it and in it, and who have assimilated its ideals even though it be only in part, but who are now out of its active membership still love the organization though sometimes it may be with a somewhat dormant passion, and still want to help it. If the fraternity is to overcome present prejudice, if it is to reach a higher plane, it will be by the general coöperation of the members, active and alumni. In the world at large and in the communities from which our educational institutions draw students the alumni of fraternities are the only men who can truthfully present the facts about these organizations and who can correct the erroneous impressions which actually exist. They can spread the knowledge of what Greek-letter fraternities actually are, and they can better than any other men help to make them what they ought to be. The active chapters must draw their alumni and