The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason July/August 2015 carriages set out to Riverside Cemetery, his final resting place. Vance finally got his Masonic funer- al April 14, 2005, when Grand Master Graham Pervier opened Grand Lodge and assembled masons at Vance's Riv- erside Cemetery grave here. Mark-Ellis Bennett is lodge historian of Mount Hermon 118. advanced to the eastern entrance of the Capitol where they joined state and historical officials from around North Carolina. Grand Master Caudle introduced the fraternity to the crowd and explained the ceremony to be per- formed. Caudle wore the same jewel worn there by Grand Master Simmons J. Baker when he dedicat- ed the Capitol's cornerstone. Members and officers of both grand lodges then performed the ancient ceremony of dedication, reenacting the ceremony which would have been performed at the building's cornerstone in 1833. Construction of the current Capitol began that year just after fire destroyed the previous seat of North Carolina government. The recent celebration celebrated the 1840 opening of the finished building. Grand Lodge officers of each jurisdiction performed their parts, applying the tools of a Mason (the plumb, the square, and the level) to the symbolic cornerstone to declare that it was "square, level, plumb, true and trusty, and dedicated according to our ancient customs." In his postscript to the ceremony, Daniel L. omp- son said, "Let us strive to let Brotherly Love serve as our prism for viewing the human family, and let it al- ways remind us that we are our Brother's Keeper. Let us strive to let relief serve as our standard for serving the high, the low, the rich, the poor; all who were cre- ated in the image of God, and let us strive to let truth and the square of virtue characterize our every act, deed, and endeavor." After Masons started the day with their serious and thought provoking ritual, the rest of the day was more festive. ere was music and barbecue and dancing and history demonstrations spread around the grounds for the afternoon and evening. State Capitol Site Administrator Terra Schramm said, "e daytime festivities and evening concert launch a year of special programs and exhibits at the State Capitol that aim to capture public interest and inspire a new generation to participate in the history that continues to be made here every day." e legis- lature moved to Jones street in the 1960s, but Gover- nor Pat McCrory maintains his office in the building. e building served as the site of the 2010 installa- tion of Grand Lodge officers during Grand Master Lewis Ledford's term. e House Chamber there was also the site of the recognition compact between our Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge No- vember 21, 2008. CAPITOL, from page 1 VANCE, from page 2 Ric Carter photos

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