1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 29Each anniversary of the Society was celebrated with "jollity andmirth," in the Apollo Room of the old Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg,where, according to tradition, the founders held their first meeting.On these occasions absent members were urged to return andTHE OLD RALEIGH TAVERN AT WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIAWhere the * B K Society held its annual n>eetingsFrom the William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, April, 1896renew the delights of fraternal intercourse. Two members werechosen to deliver orations on each "Foundation Day," as the anniversarywas called. The record for April 19, 1779, says:Mr. Bowdoin being about to depart for Europe, requested the company ofthe Society at the Raleigh, where he gave them a very elegant entertainment.After many toasts suitable to the occasion, the evening was spent by the membersin a manner which indicated their highest esteem for their departing friend,mixed with sorrow for his intended absence and joy for his future prospectsin life.It is a remarkable fact that the founders of 4> B K wrought outall of the essential features of the modern (Ireek-letter fraternity,and so incorporated them in laws and traditions as to influence stronglycollege fraternity customs in all subsequent years. It called itselfa "Fraternity" as well as a "Society." Like modern fraternities,it was a secret social organization, with a name of Greek letters. Theletters were the initials of a secret motto, which briefly expressed theaims of the society. The members magnified the word "fraternity"and the bond of brotherhood. $ B K had a constitution, a form ofinitiation with its "oath of fidelity," secret signs of salutation andrecognition, a secret grip, a cipher, a badge, a seal and society colors.The foimders held meetings for social, literary and business purposes..\t the regular meetings there were literary exercises, andin this B K set an example which was followed for years by modernfraternities, some chapters of which continue to have such exercises.The Society's anniversary was suitably celebrated. Very soon after* B K was founded its members began to discuss the question of ex-