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Laus Deo ( Praise be to God )
On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC are two
words:
Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact ... most visitors to
the monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter ...
probably could care less!
But there they are ... 555 feet, 5.125 inches high ... perched atop the
monument 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 world.
And what might those two words ... comprised of just four syllables and only
seven letters ... mean? Very simply ... "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 the tribute Laus Deo!
"Praise be to God!"
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure ... a visitor can
take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four
major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see (
whether plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant , or Divine
Intervention ) a perfect cross
imposed upon the landscape ... with the White House to the North. the
Jefferson Memorial to the South ... the Capitol to the East ... and the
Lincoln Memorial to the West.
A cross ... you say?
How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a 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, 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 opportunity ... 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!
As you might have guessed ... I kind of 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. And when
one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our
nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God.
We are a nation under God!!! Laus Deo!
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