Writings of the Sigma Chi Fraternity

The Spirit of Sigma Chi

The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than a century ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that friendship among members

sharing a common belief and an ideal,

and possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions,

is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions, and that

genuine friendship can be maintained with surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing ones personal judgment.

My Badge

I might be forced to admit that there is come similarity between the ideals of Sigma Chi and those of other fraternities but I will not share the beautiful and the symbolic supremacy of the White Cross of Sigma Chi with any other badge in the Greek World.

The badge of my Fraternity is a cross, a sign and a symbol known to all the world, uplifting him of whom our badge reminds us.

It is not a shield of timid defense nor a drawn sword of oppressive aggression nor an arrow swift and sure on its mission of death. It is not a diamond so rich and so rare as to have no part in the common crowd nor a crescent pale and incomplete, nor a star shining with a borrowed ray.

It is not a lamp whose feeble flame is extinguished by the slightest gust of wind that blows; nor a simple monogram of mysterious Greek Letters presuming to reveal some hidden meaning, But a cross with its base planted in the common clay of earth; its arms outstretched to all the world and its head lifted heavenward.

It is a White Cross, suggesting purity. As any pure white surface reflects all the rays of light without the absorption of any, so the White Cross of Sigma Chi reflects its ideals unselfishly to all mankind.

The Bridge Builder

An old man, going a lone highway, Came in the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, the sullen stream has no fears for him, But he stopped when safe on the other side, and bruild a bridge to span the tide.

"Old Man," said a fellow pilgrim near, "you are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way; You've crossed the chasm deep and wide - Why build you this bridge at evening tide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head. "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There followeth after me today A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm, which has been as naught to me, to that fair-haired youth might a pitfall be. He too must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building the bridge for him." -Will Allen Dromgoole

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometime will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, When care is pressing you down a bit - Rest if you must, but don't quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many a fellow turns about when he might have won if he had struck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; often the struggle has give up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out - The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and you can never tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - It's when things seem worst that you musn't quit! - Anonymous

I Am the Cross

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I've watched great men live. I've seen great men die. I'm embedded on the flag that you proudly fly. I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I'm an extrovert plus I'm the shyest of shy. When I hear from the needy I answer their cry, for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I shine in the valleys and on mountain tops high. I was there when the Constantines were to weary to try, for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I represent friendship, a know which to tie. when men search for answers, I am their reply for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. i've weathered the decades while others fall by. If they say that they're better, you'll know it's a lie for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I've won many battles. I hold my head high. I've wept with the soldier who knelt down to cry for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi.

I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. I glow on the chests of the men who reach high. I'm a total team effort. The "We" not the "I" for I am the Cross of Sigma Chi. -Fred Jacobeit, Butler '77