Laus Deo!
By Dr. Wm. Scott Magill
One detail seldom mentioned in regard to government and religion is
that in the District of Columbia there can be no building of greater height
than the Washington 
Monument.
With all the uproar over removing the Ten Commandments, et al, this is worthy
of your consideration.
On the aluminum capstone, weighing
100 ounces, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., two words are
displayed: 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, they probably could care
less.
However, once you know Laus Deo’s history, I would advocate
that you share this with everyone you know. These words have been atop the
monument for one hundred and seventeen years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches
high perched atop the highest point in our nations
capital city, facing easterly and skyward to the Father of our nation. From
this vantage they stand as a silent sentinel overlooking the 69 square miles,
which comprise the District of Columbia, the Capitol of the United States
of America.
Laus Deo, two seemingly undistinguished, unobserved words, out
of sight, and to the majority, out of mind. These most powerful,
and expressive words were most purposefully placed at the highest point over
what is the most powerful city within 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 express the deep belief
of a new nation. They translate from Latin to: “Praise be
to God!”
Construction of Washington Monument
began in 1848, under the administration of President James Polk. However,
it wasn’t until 1888 that the giant obelisk was inaugurated and opened to
the public. It took 25 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 panorama of the city with its
division into four major segments. From this vantage point one can also easily
see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles L’Enfant.
His design is 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 and
the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
Why a cross? What about separation of
church and state? Yes, a cross! As we all should know, separation of church and state has never been, nor is it now mentioned
in our Constitution. L’Enfant’s layout was no
accident. It was intended to convey a profound meaning for those with eyes to
see and a heart to acknowledge the presence, and reality of the Truth.
Praise
be to God!
Within the monument itself there are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings, the memorial stones share vital communications of the truth.
On the 12th landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by a group of Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting: Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”, Luke 18:16 “... ‘Let the little children come to me, and hinder them not, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”, and Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Laus Deo!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th
1848, deposited within it were many items including a Holy
Bible presented by the Bible 
Society.
Laus Deo! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood
given by the founder and first President of our Christian democracy....”One
Nation, Under God.” All the non-subtle symbols within the monument are genuinely
consistent with Washington’s prayer for America: “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.”
Praise
be to God!
It is clear when one studies the
history of our great nation that Washington’s America was one of the few
countries in the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty
God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who
formed and fashioned her foundations. When one stops to observe the inscriptions
found in public places all over our nation’s Capitol, you will easily find the
signature of God indelibly inscribed everywhere you look.
Though many try to disprove and reason
that our nation was not established under the banner of our Lord, their
arguments are weak and easily found to be without basis. Their efforts will
forever be in vain; God assures us of that. Have you noticed as of late,
how many more people are coming together, affirming the fact that this nation
was, from the beginning, built upon, and by, God? Any nation that is not built
upon God will fail. Do we wonder why, when other nations fall into an abyss,
does the United States continually prosper? Simply because we
are built upon the strongest of foundations.
But
do not let the arrogance of some instill doubt within you. The truth is…we
have always been one nation under God! Laus Deo! Praise be to God!
You may forget the width and height
of “Laus Deo.” You might
forget its location, or the architect, but you should never forget its meaning,
nor ever forget 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.” (Psalm127:1)
