  LAUS DEO:
A
U.S. history lesson for everyone.
One detail that is
not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of
greater height than the Washington Monument.
With all
the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is
worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of
this historical information.
On the aluminum cap, atop
the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two
words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In
fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they
are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care
less.
Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want
to share this with everyone you know. But these words
have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125
inches high, perched
top the monument,
facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69
square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital
of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two
seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight
and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully
placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful
city in the most successful nation in the world.
So,
what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four
syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very
simply, they say "Praise be to God!"
Though
construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James
Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888
that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the
public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the
memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo
.Praise be to God!"
>From atop this magnificent
granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the
beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into
four major segments. >From that vantage point, one can also
easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre
Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House
to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south,
the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about
separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of
church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.
So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to
carry a profound meaning for those who bother to
notice.
Praise be to God! Within the
monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one
climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial
stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer
offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial
presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a
presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and
Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs
22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the
Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited
within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented
by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was
the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood
given by the founder and first President of our unique
democracy .."One Nation, Under God."
I am awed by
Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it?
Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read
on!
"Almighty
God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United
States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the
hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination
and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly
affection ! and love for one another and for their fellow
citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou
wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do
justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that
charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the
characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion,
and without a humble imitation of whose example in these
things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our
supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!
When one stops to observe the
inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's
capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God,
as it is unmistakably
inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and
height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects but no
one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning,
or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its
builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the
city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:
1)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you
know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or
friend. They will not find offense, because! you
have
given them a lesson in history that they probably never
learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid,
but have pity on those who will never see this because someone
failed to send it on.
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