Peace College - Lotus Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

Page 15 text:

The Legend of Time and Place ' I ' ' HE Legend of Time and Place is oddly interesting because it concerns the -■■ realization of the vision of William Peace, the Founder of Peace Institute. Incongruous as it may seem, this staid bachelor had long nurtured cherished plans for a school for women, a home where plastic girlhood might be moulded into a finer conception of duty to mankind and consecration to God. He was a godly, virtuous man, and no doubt the plans for the early Peace were conceived in prayer and fostered by careful hours spent among charts and rare old books. In 1857, he offered a site of land in Raleigh and a generous endowment of $10,000, approximately one-third of the original cost of Peace Institute, to further his purpose. Before the session of the Presbyterian Church, he appeared to unfold, and to gain cognizance of the conception and birth of his plans. Probably there were rustles of surprise, discreet whisperings, and little murmurs of speculation in the proud old pews, but there must have been also grave nods of assent and ad- miration accompanied by decorous applause, because when the charter, that legal lion, was presented, every man inscribed his name upon it, and Peace Institute became a reality. William Peace must have observed the development of his dream-child with w fiercely paternal affection that was in itself ample compensation for his pains. Peace Institute early claimed as its trustees famous gentlemen of Raleigh — men whose worthy names never sponsored an unworthy cause. The standards, the ideals, and the superior educational advantages of Peace Institute became justly famous, and her walls embraced the Flower of the Womanhood of the South. The vision of the bachelor-benefactor was not in vain. William Peace dreamed and had the resolution and the moral courage to materialize his dreams. As the founder of Peace Institute, he is revered ; as a man of indomitable courage and purpose, he is respected ; and as a dreamer of beautiful dreams, he is deeply loved.