Most of us are interested enough in history to reflect at mention of a time capsule placed in a cornerstone. Originally the stone in the corner kept the building from falling. The dictionary calls it "a foundation of something of primary importance -- usually also a repository of historical documents." Today many public buildings, churches, libraries, have cornerstones. Their contents are revealing.

Historical records say that President George Washington donned the apron of masonry and in 1793 presided over the laying of the cornerstone at the nation's new capital in Washington D.C. with remodeling, construction and expansion over the years the original cornerstone has never been found. We do not know what was in it. Contract slave labor was used to build both the capital and the White House.

The 555 foot Washington Obelisk has a time capsule containing statistics of the city, newspapers, coins, currency, a Bible, Washington family information and was dedicated on July 4, 1848.

In preparation for the cornerstone in the new Valparaiso Family YMCA, CEO Bob Wanek, had the 1951 marker in the present building removed. It was empty of mementoes.

A time capsule committee, headed by Pat Bodensteiner began gathering material that would allow future generations, 50 years hence, to understand our community in 2008. What would you suggest?

The Bible mentions cornerstones in the book of Job, in Psalms, in Isaiah, where it is called "A tested stone, a sure foundation." St. Paul refers in the letter to the Ephesians to "Christ the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together. For a dwelling place of God's spirit."

Another translation calls it "a living stone". The stone has the YMCA triangle of spirit, mind and body at the Y entrance.

Amen until next Wednesday.

The opinions in this column are solely those of the writer. Wolf is a retired minister and lives in Valparaiso. Write to him c/o The Times, 1111 Glendale Blvd., Valparaiso, IN