Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-07-21

stone Of the old Church building Of the
Reformed Congregation of this city in
siew of the fact that il was TO be removed
from its long resting place. This was
true not only on the part Of the congrega-
cation out as well among the older citi
zens generally who were witnesses OF its
laying past fifty years ago.
For a month past the old editice
had been leveled to the foundation
and at last the rubbish cleared
away On Tuesday of this week
Contractor Campbell of Winchester began
work on the erection of the new building
On w, dnesday afternoon in the presence
OF quite a number of lockers on, the work
men removed the cornerstone from It's
place and turning il over exposed the box
containing the sacred relics OF the past
Also the disappointment. The tin box
was badly rusted throughout, and The
bottom clean gone, and the contents, save
the four pieces of coin, handful OF dust
with here ard there a piece OF ashen-like
paper with the print OF TWO or three
words still visible This was a sad dis
appointment, as all expected to md the
contents well preserved. Evidently the
box was not well sealed. and water found
its way to the box and the process of cor
rosion set to work until the base OF the
box, and the contents became as little
pile OF charred remains, The foar pieces
of coin, IN themselves covered with coat
i & of rust are a silver half-dollar OF the
date Of 1871, a quarter, dime and half
dime each dated I04g.
The cornerstone measures, in length
four feet, width three feet and in height
used as the cornerstone ofthe new build
ing as intended, because OF the seams
running through it.
The laying Of the cornerstone in the
old building was quite an event in the
history both of the town and of the con-
gregation. This may be readily adjudged
from the following clipped from an old
number of the "Martinsburg Gazette,
which Isl given as a matter of general inter-
est:
The laying of the cornerstone Of the
New Church, for the German Reformed
Congregation of this town, took place on
Saturday, May goth, I843. The Chassis of
this church which had been in session for
d QdY VI lWOs lldQ GdllGQ lOSSlllCl IL ldl SN
number of ministers from abroad. The
Masonic ceremonies, were under the di-
rection of Equality Lodge, who awaited
the arrival of the Western Railroad train.
1t arrived at an early hour, bringing to our
aid Cumberland Lodge No. 81 from Cum
berland in full organization, who had been
joined on their way, by several BRETHREN
of the Lodge at Hancock. These moved
in procession from the depot to the Hail.
The Odd Fellows, soon after issued from
their Hall, and moved to the Masonic
Hall, whence. in few moments, issued
the procession of Masons. The Harpar's
Ferry Band was in attendance and con-
tributed amply to the interesting cere-
monies of the day. The procession moved
up Queen street to the Tuscarora, then by
counter march to John street, along John
to German, up the latter to King, and
entered toe Presbyterian church. 1t was
joined at a convenient point on the route
oy a civil procession, consisting of the
ministers in attendance, the Buildin,
Committee and Officers of the church, and
such of the Public Authorities as were in
attendance.
The entire procession, nearly filled the
lower floor Of the spacious old church
the galleries and aisles, were immediate
y density packed, and vast number had
to leave, for the want of accommodations.
And eloquent and very able, and APP
propriate sermon was preached by Rev.
Daniel Zacharias of Frederick, Md, af-
ter which the procession was again formed
and moved to the site of the New Church
on Burke street.
The Building Committee had every
thing well ordered and arrangned at this
point. A beautiful triumphal evergreen
arch had been erected, under which the
procession passed. and were formed in a
circle around the stone. Convenient
platforms were laid, for the convenience
of the Band, the Clergy, and Officers of
the Lodges.
The stone was a noble specimen from
our limestone quarres. the largest we have
ever seen on such an occasion, and beau
tifully worked into perfect Ashlar. The
ceremonies of the church were then per-
formed by one of the attending Ministers,
when the Masonic Graft resumed their
ceremonies. A large box was deposited,
containing a record of the proceedings,
handsomely enrolled on parchment,in the
English, Latin, and German languages
the current coins of the day, the civil list,
containing the names of the Officers of
the United States of Virginia, of Berkeley
county, of Martinsburg List of Odd Eel
lows, of the Military Of the county also
newspapers of the day, and copy of the
Heidelberg Catechism.
The stone was fitted,a lowered to its
place, ascertained TO be plumb. square,
and level. The Corn, Wine and OIL, were
then poured on it, the grand honors thrice
given and duly pronounced true, tired and
trusty. The professions Of Masons were
reformed, and returned to their respective
Lodges"
Thumb flashed Off
Samuel Cockrel, a young man working
on the farm of Mrs Anna Ballenger, near
Bunker Hill. had the end Of the thumb on
his left hand crushed off while lifting
wheat into the grainery Thursday after