Analyst's note: Our friend and associate, William J. Dell recently published a fascinating article that we now share with you during this joyous time of year. May you have a happy Easter.
"At this Easter season with all the uproar about removing prayer and Bible reading from the schools and the ten commandments from public places, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time.
A little known detail about our nation’s capitol is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building greater in height than the Washington Monument. A little known fact concerning the monument is that on the East side of the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument 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.
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant and unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might say, 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 these two Latin words mean? Very simply, they translate to ‘Praise be to God!’
Though construction of this giant obelisk began July 4, 1848 with the laying of the cornerstone, it was not finished until December 6, 1884 when the aluminum cap was placed atop the obelisk. The monument was dedicated on February 12, 1885 and officially open to the public October 9, 1888.
From atop the observation deck, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the District which seems to be divided into four major segments. The lines designating the segments, some say, form of a cross with the White House on the North, and the Capitol on the East, the Lincoln Memorial on the West, and the Jefferson Memorial on the South. This design, including the cross, has been attributed to Pierre Charles L’Enfant – who designed the District of Columbia in 1791. However it was nearly sixty years after the District was designed that the Washington Monument was placed within the landscape at what would eventually be the intersection of the “cross.” Another difficulty arises in knowing that the last two “cross points,” the Lincoln Memorial, on the West, and the Jefferson Memorial, on the South, are twentieth century additions to the landscape.
Now I know that God moves in mysterious ways. I will however let for the reader to decide if over a period of 150 years the Divine Providence, who cause this nation to rise through our Founding Fathers, left yet another message on the District landscape to remind us that this was founded as a Christian nation. A message that says:
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” [Psalms 33:12]
“Righteousness exalth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.” [Proverbs 14:34]
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” [Proverbs 29:2]
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. [2 Chronicles 7:14]
A message that says in an era of “secular humanism” and “atheism” as Supreme Court sanctioned “national religion,” remember the Judeo-Christian principles that are the foundation of your great nation. A message that says remember the Judeo-Christian principles that made your nation the greatest nation in the world and a beacon of hope and freedom to all mankind. A message that says remember the God of the Land that brought your Christian ancestors to this great land in search of religious freedom.
Would our Father in Heaven cause this landscaping miracle? And what about the other messages found throughout the Washington Monument and the many other memorials throughout our nation’s capitol? Messages with clear Christian underpinnings.
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; “May heaven to this union continue its beneficence. May brotherly affection with union be perpetual. May the free constitution which is the work of our ancestors be sacredly maintained and its administration be stamped with wisdom and virtue.”
On the 20th landing is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians. It is from Christians from the port city of Ningpo, Chekiang Province, Mainland China and is a eulogy to George Washington.
On the 24th landing is a memorial presented by the Sunday Schools of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York and from the Sabbath School children of the Methodist Episcopal church in Philadelphia. It then says “A preached Gospel” and “A free press” then closes with “Washington, we revere his memory.” The inscriptions include the Bible reference Proverbs 10:7.
There is also an open bible on the monument that includes Luke 18:16 where Jesus said “Suffer the little children to come unto me” and Proverbs 22:6, which says “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
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.
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation’s capitol, they 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,’ or its location, but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” [Psalm 127:1, KJV]
Thanks to Truth or Fiction for some uncovered facts in this posting:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/w/washmonument.htm
May God Bless and Save the United States of America !"