HISTORY LESSON

 LAUS DEO: A HISTORY LESSON 

A little history lesson you may enjoy.

 

 I thought that you and others may like to see this.

 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.

 

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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

 could not 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 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, 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 18:1 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.

 

 Something to share and be sure the younger generation sees this too!!!