View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook

Welcome You are visitor updated 01/13/04

e-mail Address Removed

 
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