Veddy interestink...
Nov. 27th, 2003 10:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
umbralilliumThis is dedicated to all those who say our great nation was not founded on Christian principles. :D
Another thing worth knowing. Most people in the U.S. probably have no idea about this. I know I didn't.
On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. are 2 words, "Laus Deo". No one can see these words. In fact ... most visitors to the Monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter, probably could care less! But there they are ... 555 ft. 5.125 in. high ... perched atop the Monument to the Father of our Nation ... overlooking the 69 sq. miles which comprise the District of Columbia ... capital of the United States of America.
"Laus Deo" - 2 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 world. And, what might those 2 words ... comprised of just 4 syllables & only 7 letters ... mean? Very simply ... "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 & opened to the public. It took 25 yrs. to finally cap the memorial with the tribute "Laus Deo".
From atop this magnificent granite & marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into 4 major segments. And 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 to the south; the Capitol to the east; the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross ... you say? How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Within the Monument itself are 898 steps & 50 landings. As one climbs the steps & 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 & Philadelphia, quoting Proverbs 10:7; Luke 18:16 & 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, the spiritual mood given by the founder & the 1st 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 opportunity ...
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou will keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination & obedience to government; & entertain a brotherly affection & love for one another & 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 & to demean ourselves with that charity, humility & pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion & 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."
As you might have guessed ... I kind of like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God". It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor & worship by the great men who formed & fashioned her pivotal foundations. And when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God. We are a nation under God!!!
Posted uncut, because I know I don't often read stuff that's been cut. :D
Another thing worth knowing. Most people in the U.S. probably have no idea about this. I know I didn't.
On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. are 2 words, "Laus Deo". No one can see these words. In fact ... most visitors to the Monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter, probably could care less! But there they are ... 555 ft. 5.125 in. high ... perched atop the Monument to the Father of our Nation ... overlooking the 69 sq. miles which comprise the District of Columbia ... capital of the United States of America.
"Laus Deo" - 2 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 world. And, what might those 2 words ... comprised of just 4 syllables & only 7 letters ... mean? Very simply ... "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 & opened to the public. It took 25 yrs. to finally cap the memorial with the tribute "Laus Deo".
From atop this magnificent granite & marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into 4 major segments. And 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 to the south; the Capitol to the east; the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A cross ... you say? How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Within the Monument itself are 898 steps & 50 landings. As one climbs the steps & 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 & Philadelphia, quoting Proverbs 10:7; Luke 18:16 & 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, the spiritual mood given by the founder & the 1st 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 opportunity ...
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou will keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination & obedience to government; & entertain a brotherly affection & love for one another & 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 & to demean ourselves with that charity, humility & pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion & 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."
As you might have guessed ... I kind of like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God". It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor & worship by the great men who formed & fashioned her pivotal foundations. And when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God. We are a nation under God!!!
Posted uncut, because I know I don't often read stuff that's been cut. :D
