[AT] OT Laus Deo

Thu Feb 28 11:05:42 PST 2019

I appreciate this discussion and an attempt at trying to make things as accurate as possible. However, using Snopes as proof of anything is dangerous since they are very suspect of being biased  in some of their publications.  Using alternatives such as www.truthorfiction.com <http://www.truthorfiction.com>  might provide less biased information.   In todays world it is hard to find out what the real truth really is.  I do want to comment that many of this country’s founding principles are based on Christian Principles.  I sometimes think we confuse the difference between “ Freedom of Religion” vs “Freedom from Religion”.

Dean VP

Apache junction, AZ

From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of Spencer Yost
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 9:13 AM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] OT Laus Deo

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 <http://Snopes.com>  can fill you all in.

Spencer Yost

On Feb 28, 2019, at 10:44 AM, Cecil Bearden <crbearden at copper.net <mailto: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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  <http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?a=1103316066373&r=3&c=595f2140-006e-11e9-86d2-d4ae52986b44&d=1132215244648&ch=596b7d50-006e-11e9-86d2-d4ae52986b44&ca=9f1814e1-f7b6-433d-a808-0c2e120ee796&o=https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif> 

LAUS DEO  

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/54023c2e001/1f981860-875c-4a52-9bbc-c5017e4bcf5a.png>  

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. 

    <https://files.constantcontact.com/54023c2e001/40f1ed0c-b016-476b-8f42-12ada208b289.png> 

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.

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/54023c2e001/d63fa3f8-b2cc-43fd-862a-eda19b201152.png>  

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!

  <https://files.constantcontact.com/54023c2e001/52500ce4-b318-48e3-901a-4c52ac7c676b.png>  

 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! 

  <https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/letters/images/sys/S.gif> 

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