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History Lesson
One
fact about the District of Columbia that you may never heard of before is that there can never be a building of greater height
than the Washington Monument.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington DC, are displayed two
words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words.
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 it's 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.
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."
Washington’s Prayer for America:
"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 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
do you wonder why, when other nations fall into an abyss, does the United States continually prosper? Now you know, but do
not let the
arrogance of some instill doubt within you.
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)
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