[AT] OT Laus Deo

Thu Feb 28 08:12:51 PST 2019

No problem Cecil, as this is generally interesting and reasonably accurate although I would be remiss if I did not  point out that there are some significant factual problems with this. Some are small (like the layout of the cross) while the most serious is probably Washington’s prayer.  It was never prayer, is misquoted, and was actually a circular or letter or some such.

I mention this because I’ve seen it a number of times over the last 20 years on the Internet every once in a while. Historically it has been passed around to strengthen the idea that we are a Christian political system  rather than “religion free” political system.

I am sure Snopes.com can fill you all in.

Spencer Yost

> On Feb 28, 2019, at 10:44 AM, Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net> wrote:
> 
> Forgive me Spencer if this is out of line.  I was so impressed with this and thinking that my friends on the list would appreciate it also.  If I have offended anyone you have a delete button.  I don't believe this is political.
> 
> Cecil
> 
> 
> 
> -----
> 
> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>> 
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>> 
>> 
>>  
>> LAUS DEO  
>>  
>>    
>> 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. 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,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 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 Democratic Republic "One Nation, Under God." 
>> 
>> I am awed by Washington 's prayer for  
>> America. Have you ever read it?   
>>  
>> "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)  
>> 
>> Hope you will send on so that others can  
>> receive a lesson in history that they probably  
>> never learned in school! 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
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