Interesting no?
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 others.
These words are 555 feet above ground level, 5.125
inches high, perched atop 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, unnoticed 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!"
[Laus is 'Praise be' and Deo means '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 it's division into four
major segments. From that vantage point one can also easily see the original
plan of French architect and engineer, 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.
How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for
those who 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. Praise be to
God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, 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? Here is Washington's
prayer:
"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!
As you probably guessed, over 92 percent of Americans like
the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God." It
is clear when one studies the history of our great nation, that Washington's
America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the
guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all
praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her
pivotal foundations.
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.
Though many try to disprove and reason, their arguments are weak and easily
proven without basis. Their efforts will forever be in vain; God assures us
of that. Have you noticed as of late, how many more people are coming
together, affirming the fact that this nation was, from the beginning, built
on God? Any nation that is not built upon God will fail. The truth is, we
have always been one nation under God! Laus Deo! Praise be to God!
You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo," it's location, or the
architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget it's 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)
Let us remember to do our part, through prayers and
sacrifice, to be the watchmen who stand guard of our nation.
Feel free to forward this to your friends and associates because this is a
lesson in history that most children probably never learned in school.
and.......GO!
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 others.
These words are 555 feet above ground level, 5.125
inches high, perched atop 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, unnoticed 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!"
[Laus is 'Praise be' and Deo means '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 it's division into four
major segments. From that vantage point one can also easily see the original
plan of French architect and engineer, 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.
How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for
those who 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. Praise be to
God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, 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? Here is Washington's
prayer:
"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!
As you probably guessed, over 92 percent of Americans like
the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God." It
is clear when one studies the history of our great nation, that Washington's
America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the
guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all
praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her
pivotal foundations.
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.
Though many try to disprove and reason, their arguments are weak and easily
proven without basis. Their efforts will forever be in vain; God assures us
of that. Have you noticed as of late, how many more people are coming
together, affirming the fact that this nation was, from the beginning, built
on God? Any nation that is not built upon God will fail. The truth is, we
have always been one nation under God! Laus Deo! Praise be to God!
You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo," it's location, or the
architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget it's 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)
Let us remember to do our part, through prayers and
sacrifice, to be the watchmen who stand guard of our nation.
Feel free to forward this to your friends and associates because this is a
lesson in history that most children probably never learned in school.
and.......GO!
