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LAUS DEO
On the aluminum cap
atop the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. 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 NOT 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
the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles 'Enfant... 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!!! Praise be to God!!!
"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)
Source: Unknown
BACK
Thanks
to Les Gorven and the Midi
Studio Consortium
for this arrangement of "America The Beautiful"
Seq. by: Les Gorven
Page
revised March 2008
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