The North Carolina Mason

Page 12 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2017 By Beth Grace As they did some 201 years ago, North Carolina Freemasons gath- ered to certify and commemorate a moment in history for the congre- gants of First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. e Grand Lodge, led by Grand Master Gene Cobb, members of the Grand Line and brothers from Hiram Lodge in Raleigh, on Jan. 22 pronounced the church's bicentennial time capsule "square, level, plumb, true and trusty" before a crowd of about 90 members of First Presbyterian and gathered Masons. e dedication rounded out a year of bicentennial events held by the historic church. "For 200 years … you have been a cloud of witnesses. You have been a light in the city of Raleigh, shining the way to God," said Cobb, wearing the same starburst jewel worn when the State Capitol cornerstone was laid in 1833 and re-dedicated in 2015. e dedication was a rst for a Sunday. Masons were prohibited from holding such ceremonies on Sundays, until last year when brothers approved a code amend- ment permitting ceremonies on a Sunday if they are held at a church. First Presbyterian's Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Ed McLeod, welcomed the brothers on behalf of the church and o!cially invited the Grand Master to dedicate the time capsule. e metal capsule will be installed near the church's corner- stone later this year. It will include items recovered from the original time capsule, including the very rst silver dollar donated to the church at its rst service in 1816. Time capsule dedication draws the faithful Grand Master Cobb addresses the crowd during the ceremony at First Presbyte- rian Church in Raleigh. The metal time capsule after having been inspected by the working tools. The cap- sule will include items discovered in an earlier time capsule along with newer mate- rial representing the church's long history. Photos by Michael Harding HEY MISTER, WHAT IS THAT??? Children attending the dedication of the First Presbyterian Church Time Capsule on Jan. 22 are enthralled with the brothers gathered for the ceremony. They chatted with Grand Master Gene Cobb, asking him about his apron and the starburst jewel, (right) which he explained was worn for the original dedication of the State Capitol and again two years ago when it was re-dedicated. (Photo by Beth Grace) W Want to know more about the 1829 Grand Master's jewel? Visit our online archive of past issues of The Mason. Look for the July/August 2015 issue (page 15). For a direct link, go to: www.epageflip.net/i/557870-july-august-2015

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