Get and Set a variable from a previous method

Hi Im trying to take a string from an element on a page and then use that string on a later assertion on my selenium test. So basically the element shows the time and then a few minutes later i need to assert that the time hasnt update form the previous time, but this is a differnt method so im trying to save that string and then just check the string mates the new string. Im trying to use getters and setters but they keep changing from public to private on me

So im trying to capture the string using this

public void setDate() {

    date = esfAuthoringDateAndTime.getText();

    this.date = date;
}

and then trying to pass it using this

public String getDate() {

    return date;
}

And the assertion

                esfAuthoringDateAndTimeValue.getText().contains(getDate())

Its just not working for me, any help?