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American History
The story speaks for itself…
Laus Deo
One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there
can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is
worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing
historical information.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington,
D.C. , 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
democracy "One Nation, Under God."
· I am awed by Washington 's prayer
for America Have you ever read it? Well,
now is your unique opportunity, so read on!
· "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)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you
know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or
friend. They will not find offense, because
you have given them a lesson in history that
they probably never learned in school. With
that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity
on those who will never see this.
THE YEAR 1907
This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
The year is 1907.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some of the U.S. Statistics for the Year 1907 :
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The average life expectancy in the U.S. Was 47 years old.
Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. Had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
A three-minute call from Denver to New York City
Cost eleven dollars.
There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. , and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more
Heavily populated than California
With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st
Most populous state in the Union ..
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !
The average wage in the U..S. Was 22 Cents per hour.
The average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist made $2,500 per year,
A veterinarian $1,500 per year,
And a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births in the US. Took place at HOME.
Ninety percent of all U.S. Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death in the U.S. Were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and
Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.
The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
Hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. Adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from . high school
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over
The counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists
said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind
regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."
There were about 230 reported Murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !
Just Try to imagine.....
What it may be like ...
In another 100 years !!!!!!!
If the Lord Tarries
IT STAGGERS THE MIND !!!!!!!!!
MYSON
Take a momentto read it,it will make yourday!
The ending will surprise you
Take my Son
A wealthy man andhis sonloved to collect rareworks ofart. They hadeverything intheir collection, fromPiccasoto Raphael.They wouldoften sit togetherand admirethe great works of art.
When the Vietnamconflictbroke out, the son went towar. He was verycourageous and diedin battlewhilerescuing anothersoldier.The father wasnotified andgrieved deeply for hisonly son.
About a month later, just beforeChristmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large packagein his hands.
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. Hesaved many lives that day, and he wascarrying me to safety when a bullet struck him inthe heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held outthis package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not reallya great artist, but I think your sonwould have wanted you to have this.'
The father opened the package . It was a portrait of his son,painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had capturedthe personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the youngman and offered to pay him for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I couldnever repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to hishome he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings Many influential peoplegathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collect ion.
On the platform sat the painting of the son The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'
There wassilence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'
But theauctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'
Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandt's. Get on with the real bids!'
But still theauctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'
Finally, a voice came from the very backof the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give$10 for the painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'
'$10 is the bid,won't someone bid $20?'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want thepicture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice,SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'
'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!'
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is:'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'
Because, you see, whoever takes theSon gets everything.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIF E...THAT'S LOVE
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