Apropos Laus
Deo!
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
couldn't 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 l'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 126 (127): 1) Received from Paulette M. Collins
|