A Little History Lesson You May Enjoy.

My Dad gave this to me to read today and I found it to be very interesting. I'm posting this so soon after my last post in hopes that someone will take the time to read it. I know that it is kind of long but please do read it.

One detail that is not mentioned in DC, 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.

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
atop the monument, facing skyward to the
Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square
miles which compromise 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!"

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 I'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 corner stone 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 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 ever 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 capital, 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", 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 it builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

I have made it so that you can email this post to anyone that you wish. And by all means do so.