A Moment in Alpha History: For Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen

For many are called, but few are chosen; For many are called, but are chosen. Does this phrase sound familiar? I’m sure at one point in your own membership process, you heard this aphorism and its connection when seeking membership into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. But what did it truly mean to you when you were a candidate for membership and now as a Brother, and how much relevance does it have today? Biblically speaking, this scripture is found in Matthew 22:14. While there are several commentaries from a biblical perspective as to the usage, I would like to give the following summary why it was used regarding the Parable of the Wedding Feast: Jesus spoke to this parable of the king sending his servants out to gather the wedding guests to the wedding feast. But those that were invited refused to come, some because they were too busy with their own worldly pursuits and some because they were positively hostile toward the king. So, the king commands his servants to go out and invite anyone they find, and many did come and fill the wedding hall. The king joins his guests and discovers a man without wedding garments. The man is unable to give a reason why he has no garment. In an act of “eschatological judgment”, the king orders his attendants to “bind the man hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus ends his story by pronouncing the aphorism that summarizes the parable’s meaning: “For many are called, but few are chosen”

With so much complexity to the aphorism, I often pondered why the context of this is associated with seeking membership into Alpha Phi Alpha, yet simplistic but deeply rooted. As you can see in the parable, the king sent his servants out to gather wedding guests for a wedding feast. Those that were invited refused to come, some because they were too busy with their own worldly pursuits and some because they were positively hostile toward the king. So, the king commands his servants to go out and invite anyone they find, and many did come and fill the wedding hall. But the king sees one man without wedding clothes and sends him to his judgment. As I contemplated and really looked at the implications with Alpha Phi Alpha and men seeking to become part of this Fraternity. Just think how some have been invited but were too busy. Some were invited but felt that this was not for them. Then you have some that have been asked to stay, and then you have some that stayed and came with nothing. However, for those who made it, you were thought enough of and the qualities that represented that of an Alpha man. Alpha Phi Alpha, in the early days, noted that membership was authorized “to rush such men as appealed to the standard of Alpha Phi Alpha.” In this single sentence, it is evident that the first men for Alpha Phi Alpha were selected with care, and that they were measure by a standard which was high…membership was not granted to one merely because he happened to be a student in the university, but only to men of character, scholarship, fellowship, and devotion to the cause.”

Jewel Kelly once recalled that Jewel Tandy “was anxious that we retain our customs of selecting members in our chapters so that the organization would not become packed with undesirables.” Even in the words of Jewel Kelly, “Alpha needs quality not quantity”. Jewel Callis, who is often revered as the conscience of the fraternity, addressed the 1954 General Convention stating, “Alpha’s philosophy of present and future leadership must be based solely upon our motto, “Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.”

As we are in this season where men are seeking membership into our Fraternity, we can all agree Alpha didn’t come easy. However, in the consciousness of seeking membership, remember as one brother reminded me “you not only vouching for this brother in your chapter, but the world, that he is indeed a good brother.” As many of you will one day sponsor or recommend a candidate to this fraternity, I ask you today do you see qualities of yourself in that candidate you would want to sponsor or recommend? Do you see “Ask not what Alpha can do for you, but what you can do for Alpha? Do you see “There goes an Alpha man with industry and faith at his command? There goes the best man in or out for he’s an Alpha Man”. Do you see “To Be an Alphaman”…” For a man without these virtues isn’t worth a grain of sand. It’s plain to see, it’s more than just a pin, that makes an Alpha man. Do you see the “Test of A Man” …? “With his head held high. Bleeding, bruised, and pale!! Is the man who will win, fate defied, for he isn’t afraid to fail. Do you see “Invictus” … “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Do you see “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my Brother” …when asked “Why weigh yourself down with the load of another? “I simply smile at them and say, He ain’t heavy, He’s my Brother!!” … Do you see “A Brother’s Keeper” … “Servants to our race, to our community, Ourselves and others. A fraternal body whose purpose represents a lifetime of commitment. Sacrifice”… Do you see “Go to High School, Go to College” where “Alpha men provide youth participants excellent role models to emulate.” Do you see “Project Alpha” where “Alpha men can share knowledge, change attitudes, and provide skills.” Do you see “House of Alpha” where “Goodwill is the monarch of this house; Men, unacquainted, enter, shake hands, exchange greetings, and depart friends. Cordiality exists among all who abide within”… Do you see “I am Alpha Phi Alpha” …”So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, it’s when things seem worst, that you must not quit”… Do you see Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., who “develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities? “.. Do you see “stimulating the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and to aid down-trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status”…. Do you see “Alpha Phi Alpha”… “the pride of our hearts and loved by us dearly art thou. We cherish thy precepts; thy banner shall be raised. To thy glory, thy honor, and renown” …. I ask you today Brothers what do you see, who will you choose, who will you vouch for? “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

This is your moment in Alpha History

Brother Sean C. Hall, Historian