Alumni.
G. T. ADAMS, Hesperian, }
E. K. WOLFE, Columbian, } Editors.
Louisburg, N. C., }
March 20th, 1888. }
Editor of The Archive:—After an absence of nearly three years I visited this month the place of my college days, my Alma Mater. Though strange faces meet one on every hand, yet 'tis the place that makes friends of us all.
And now, Mr. Editor, as you see, this short letter is directed to you, but I am also addressing myself to the Alumni of Trinity College, and especially to those of '85. The Alumni of this college are many. They are scattered far and wide throughout our State, and all no doubt at the present rejoice as they recognize a bright future for this college. Yes, the future is bright, but not yet reached. New men have been put in to fill long standing vacancies, professors of learning and integrity. The number of students is increasing, and with it reviving the whole community; and mighty efforts are being made in securing an endowment fund. But we must not stop here without hailing with delight and pride the noble enterprise set on foot by the students themselves. For no outsider can be said to be the originator. An undertaking it is that reflects worth an honor not only on the students but also on the Alumni who will respond to the solicitations of these students.
There are one hundred students who have obligated themselves to stand, I mean each one of the hundred, for the sum of fifty dollars, payable at a time not as yet determined upon, making, as will be seen, the sum of five thousand dollars, which amount is to be used in the erection of a new building for the Society Halls and for other purposes. Any one who wishes to contribute can send check for any amount to any one of the hundred.
Whose duty is it to respond first? I say it is the duty of the Alumni. The faculty may teach, the preachers may preach, the students may come, but the strength of the institution lies in the Alumni. As the tree, so is everything judged by its products. I wish it could be said that the class of '85 gave more money to Trinity College than any other class that has ever left the institution.
I have placed my name opposite the sum of fifty dollars to go in aid of the new Building, and I hope, as I am the first of the class of '85, I will not be the last.