Go-Patriots Banner

 

 
e-Mail Us

 

LAUS DEO (What Does It Mean?)

By: Jack Hewartson
www.techtimeinc.net

A little history lesson you may enjoy about the Washington Monument ...

One detail that is rarely
mentioned in Washington, DC is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar in the United States about removing the 10 commandments from public places and just about everything else associated with the Holy Bible and Christianity ... this is
worth a moment or two of your time.  

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!  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 its 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.
 
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."

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," its location, or the architects, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its 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.  

 

This page last updated on Thursday, June 28, 2012 05:52:51 AM
 
For Email Marketing you can trust

This page last updated on Saturday, August 17, 2013 06:22:06 PM

Opinions expressed by contributing writers are expressly their own and may or may not represent the opinions of the Go-Patriots Website, it's editorial staff or its publisher. Reprint inquiries should be directed to the author of the article. Photographs featured on the Go-Patriots Website are for educational purposes only. While some of them are factual in nature others are creations meant to incite thought to further the socio-political and ideological conversation amongst of our readers. Contact the editor for a link request to the Go-Patriots Website. The Go-Patriots Website is not affiliated with any mainstream media or ideological organizations . The Go-Patriots Website is not supported by any political organization. The Go-Patriots Website is a group of non-compensated, independent writers bringing researched, fact-based commentary to the public in the midst of the mainstream media's blatant, agenda-driven bias. The Go-Patriots Website is a non-profit educational effort.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance a more in-depth understanding of critical issues facing the world. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.