To live according to and maintain at all times the principles and standards of the Fraternity. With God's help, this pledge shall I keep.
The Builder of Men Affirmation
The Meaning of FARMHOUSE

 

Faith

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. It means faith in your God; in your fraternity and its members; faith in your school, your state and your nation. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus said, "if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `move hence to yonder place', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." Never lose faith in yourself, if you would hold the faith of others. Be faithful to the ideals of FarmHouse and its program.

 

Ambition

Ambition is the unseen force which drives men to success, to rise above their environment and to achieve the impossible. Have ambition which is content not only with making a satisfactory record in college, but also seeks to render service to humanity through science and its application. Strive to foster that ambition which leads a man ever onward in the belief that he may somehow contribute to the betterment of mankind.

 

Reverence

Reverence must be cultivated if we are to be true brothers. "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28. Let us revere our God, our parents, and our brothers with whom we associate. Unless we cultivate such a reverence, we cannot learn the true joys of brotherhood, the foundation of a successful fraternity.

 

Morality

We must constantly work to learn better how our every act may affect ourselves and others. Genuine moral living involves intelligent love and esteem for our associates. Unless we possess strong affection for others, we cannot come to know that which is most worthwhile in making for the highest character in man. Every narrowing of love, every encroachment of egoism, every act of selfishness, means just so much blindness to that which is good and fine. Let good moral conduct cease to be a virtue and become an involuntary duty.

 

Honesty

Honesty is fundamental to character; it is the basis for all worthwhile endeavor; for how can we believe in one who is not strictly honest? In college we expect honesty in the classroom, on the athletic field, as well as in every relationship between men. "Therefore, putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." Ephesians 4:25. Throughout life, one of the greatest tributes that can be paid to a man is to have it said that he is honest.

 

Obedience

Obedience to God's principles is one of the bulwarks which gives stability to our Fraternity. Obey the mandates of the chapter, the regulations of your school and country. In doing so, always obey the teachings of the MASTER.

 

Unity

Unity is fundamental to a successful fraternity. With unity a fraternity stands through times of stress as though bound together with bands of steel. Without unity, failure results. "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity." Psalms 133:1. See to it then that you, by hard work and unfailing sacrifice, help weave those individual threads of noble character that bind us together in an effective and worthwhile organization.

 

Service

A loyal brother in FarmHouse must render service to his Fraternity and to his brothers if his Fraternity is to grow and prosper. "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another." Galatians 5:13. See to it that you render service to God; to your profession; to your fellowmen; to your country; and to your school all the days of your life. The very essence of successful living is based on the Christian ideal of service.

 

Excellence

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8. A primary goal of our Fraternity is to excel in our profession. Maintain the high standards of excellence as set forth by our Founders and the many members of our organization who have preceded us. The basis for success is education. Education is the knowledge of how to use the whole of one's self. Strive, therefore for the fullest development of knowledge in your profession; in the building of character, in furthering high moral standards; the development of essential skills; and the furtherance of good health; so that no impediment may hinder your progress to the highest pinnacle of success in life.