Interesting
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:19 pm
A friend from New York sent this and it does make you think about the principles this country was founded on:
> Laus Deo
>
> I thought that you and others may like to see this. 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. I was not aware of all this
> historical information.
>
> 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 comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United
> States of America.
>
> Laus Deo! These 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.
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
> 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. 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."
>
> I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never 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 capitol, 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 its
> builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the
> watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
>
> It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every
> sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense,
> because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably
> never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but
> have pity on those who will never see.
>
> Laus Deo
>
> I thought that you and others may like to see this. 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. I was not aware of all this
> historical information.
>
> 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 comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United
> States of America.
>
> Laus Deo! These 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.
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
> 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. 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."
>
> I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never 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 capitol, 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 its
> builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the
> watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
>
> It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every
> sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense,
> because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably
> never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but
> have pity on those who will never see.
>