The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-03-20
HARNETT LEADS IN EDUCATION
Editorial Correspondence.)

the coming May, 1t was MY Hohoi " NC
present at the close of the first session
of Buie's Greek Academy, and to speak
10 the ninety-three students and their
friends. The school. established that year
by Rev. j. 4. Campbell, was a small
country school, the patronage nearly all
being drawn from this neighborhood. The
only building was a small. implanted, plain
structure. somewhat better than the aver
age country school house. There were
moi less than a thousand people present,
gathered 10 cheer the young teacher in
his noble undertaking. Inc parents
seeing the eagerness with which their
children learned their lessons, 1elt tnaC
it was no ordinary man VINO nad the
training of their offspring. Inc oldef
men, seeing his practical methous' SUP
lime faith, and marvellous industry sald.
"He is made of the right stuff" and they
held up his hands.
last night as I looked into the faces
of nearly three hundred bright-eyed boys
and girls who attend this Academy, and
saw a model. three story, modern school
building, which would be an ornament to
any loNh Vi NASS, 49,
thirteen years, and dwelt upon the then
and the now. When we see great prog
ress in the world of Christianity, We say:
.sWhat hath God wrought" AS l looked
upon the commodious school building, fur
| nished and brilliantly lighted; saw a fac
ulty of ten instructors and these earnest
youths of both sexes gathered here; and
felt the uplift of this whole community
and county brought about by Buie's
Creek Academy, / felt TO say: What
hath man, blessed of God, wrought
About fifteen years ago, Rev. J. A.
Campbell, who had made sacrlflces to Sc
cure an education, graduated at Wake
Forest College. He was in debt, he had
| no rich or influential friends, and as he
returned to the humble home of his
| preacher-father in Harnett county, |
doubt if anybody looked to see him &C
cOmDlish a great work that would lit
up a whole county and bless a large sec
ton of his State. Many young men, with
his equipment and surroundings, would
have been content to teach a little mere
and there and look forward to a call 10
preach in a town church. AS Mr.. Camp
bell was looking about to decide where to
begin his work, a good man of this neigh
borhood. Mr.. VIM. Pearson, once a mem
| t Ol IL louot ouSSCotCd tIot IL IN
would teach at Buie's, and assume the
risk, he thought the people would build
a school house. Mr.. Campbell was
looking for an opportunity to do
good where a school was need
ed. Here was the field white to
the harvest. He was resolved to devote
himself to the education and uplifting
of the youth of the community. The
school house was built, the school open
ed, and the young man has gone on for
thirteen years working as few men have
worked until he has laid deep and broad
the foundation Of one of the largest and
most useful educational Institutions in
North Carolina. Today there are 115
boarding pupils in Buie's Creek Academy,
drawn from all sections of the State.
Think of it, Nearly two hundred board
ing pupils, here far from any railroad or
centre of population, brought to this in
stitution because its fame for thorough
instruction, good discipline, and health
full and moral environment has gone
abroad. There are students here from
Raleigh, from Wilmington, from Newbern
and other cities, sent here SO that they
could study without the temptations OF
town life about them. The total enroll
ment now is SOC, the largest of any SEES
SAoA W. - IN N" ItS ~ SC>ohA
plishes here, one would think tina Mr..
Campbell had his hands full. He finds
time to teach and to manage this big in
stitution, and in addition to be the pastor
of four large, widely separated country
churcheS-one near Morrisville, one below
Dunn, one in another section of Harnett,
and one at Buie's Creek-and he never
misses an appointment on this big cir
cult. 1t is an inspiration to see what this
man, endowed with energy and ambition
to do good, has accomplished in this re-
mote country neighborhood. If we had
such a school as this in every section OF
North Carolina. the State would soon be-
come known for its thrift. it's education
its zeal for doing good. Within the past
year eight large two-story houses have
been erected within sight of the Acade-
my and people have moved here from
other sections to educate their children
land has gone up in value from $500 tc
$15 and $50 an acre, there has been I'M
provement in farm methods, the churches
are better attended. ambitious young mt
have gone out to become leaders in tn,
towns and cities, and a spirit Of amfi-
ton and going forward has resulted iron
the influence of this school. IS it an,
wonder that Buie's Creek Academy is
the pride of Harnett county?
In his work here, which he has sell
prosper in his hands. Prof. Campbell la:
been ably seconded by his wife, who has
all along been a teacher in the school
He has selected his faculty with rare
good judgment, and it is now cornposaC
OF Rev. j. V. Devenny. A. NJ, PrOfs. j. r
Baggett, l.. c. Ogburn, @. /. Hudson
Clifford E. Edwards, w. B. Upchurch. It
J. Melvin. Miss Della V. Pool, Miss Zuls
TOmlinson, and Prof. Campbell and wife
a faculty in perfect accord win the spiri'
that has characterized the school from
the start. That spirit is to inculcate in
dustry, uprightness, economy, as we'll a:
instruction in the text BOOKS. The dis.
cipline here has been easy because TIT
students as a rule realize why they com.
to school. Many pay their own expenses
and nobody will ever know how many are
helped by Prof. Campbell.
Thirteen years ago il took 4 whole do,
to go from Raleigh to Buie's Creek. To
day the trip can be made in two or ;hre,
hours. The Cape Fear and Norther,
road from Apex to Anglers takes vo,