The Cross on the Mall
By Allan Dobras|Published Date: August 17, 2009
Nations can often be characterized by the monuments and memorials they erect to commemorate important events, persons of unique stature, or perhaps symbols of the nation’s character.
Sometimes a nation can be defined by what was once at the core of its existence, but somehow, almost unnoticeably, faded from the collective memories of its people. This happened to the ancient Hebrews in the time preceding the reign of King Josiah (c. 640 BC), when the kingdom of Judah had forsaken the Lord and the Book of the Law was lost.
At the time of Josiah, the temple was in a state of disrepair, and he ordered that it be restored. During the restoration process, a copy of the Law was found by the high priest, who brought it to the king. His secretary read from it and the king was so moved by the words that he had the book read to an assembly of all the people of Judah. As a result, the covenant was renewed, idols were burned, and the nation reformed.
What defines America?
One might ask, what defines America? Certainly declaring our independence from Great Britain was a defining moment in our history. But the essence of that event is not independence, but really a celebration of the unique code of governance found in the opening remarks of the Declaration—a code that identifies the defining principle of the American Republic:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Where did founders discover such a profound idea that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were unalienable rights endowed by their Creator? And who is the Creator? Simple enough:
Creator: “Through Him [Jesus Christ] all things were made; without Him nothing was made.” (John 1:3)
Life: “I am the way the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
Liberty: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31,32)
The pursuit of happiness: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-9)
These thoughts were preserved in monuments, memorials, and writings throughout the American culture, but perhaps most vividly along the Mall in Washington, DC.
To the south stands the Jefferson Memorial and the words carved into its walls repeat the divine character of the Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal...
Another panel proclaims:
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.
At the south end of the Mall is the Lincoln Memorial with a statue of the seated Lincoln gazing eastward toward the capitol building. Carved into the memorial’s walls are words from his Gettysburg Address, which paraphrased the identical expression from the Declaration of Independence as found in the Jefferson Memorial:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...
Another wall contains the words of Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was primarily a prayer to the “Living God” of deliverance from the raging Civil War. The conclusion of the address begins with a quote from Revelation 19:2:
The judgements of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether. With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.
To the north of the Mall is the Whitehouse—the home of the President and the seat of the administrative branch of government. The eastern edge of the Mall is occupied by the capitol building, which houses the nation’s legislative body and is responsible for originating all federal laws.
The Cross on the Mall
Between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building rests the Washington Monument. Whether by design or a fortuitous accident, the monument is at the center of a near perfectly proportioned cross, with the White House and Jefferson Memorial serving as the shorter north-south axis and the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol the longer east-west axis.
It is well known that the Washington Monument abounds in commemorative stones with prayers, Biblical passages, and other faith-based topics. What is lesser known is that the pyramid shaped aluminum cap atop the monument contains the words Laus Deo, or “Praise be to God.” Fittingly, these words are on the eastern side of the pyramid, which faces the capitol, and is symbolic of the declared responsibility of the legislature: to secure for its citizens those rights endowed by their Creator, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The World War II Memorial
There is another memorial on the Mall. On May 24, 2004, the National World War II memorial was dedicated to honor the service of the 16 million Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the war.
Those who come to the memorial expecting to see depictions of great victories and heroic sacrifices will be disappointed. The most imposing features of the memorial are 50 large stone pillars representing the contribution of each state to the war effort, which are the primary photo opportunities for tourists.
Nevertheless, there are a number of stone panels featuring quotations from notable persons connected to a significant wartime event. However, what is missing from the quotations is a story in itself, as seen in the following examples:
General Eisenhower prior to D-Day:
You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle.
Among what was omitted: “Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
President Truman’s first message to congress following the death of President Roosevelt:
Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.
Among what was omitted: “At this moment, I have in my heart a prayer. As I assume my heavy duties, I humbly pray to Almighty God, in the words of Solomon: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? I ask only to be a good and faithful servant of my Lord and my people.”
President Roosevelt following the attack on Pearl Harbor:
December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy...No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
Among what was omitted: “With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounded determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.”
President Truman on the surrender of Germany:
The heroism of our own troops...was matched by that of the armed forces of the nations that fought by our side...They absorbed the blows...and they shared to the full in the ultimate destruction of the enemy.
Among what was omitted: “We are resolute in our determination—we will see the fight through to a complete and victorious finish. To that end, with the help of God, we shall use every ounce of our energy and strength.”
General MacArthur on the surrender of Japan:
Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won. The skies no longer rain death—the seas bear only commerce—men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world is quietly at peace.
Among what was omitted: “As I look back upon the long, tortuous trail from those grim days of Bataan and Corregidor, when an entire world lived in fear, when democracy was on the defensive everywhere, when modern civilization trembled in the balance, I thank a merciful God that he has given us the faith, the courage and the power from which to mold victory.”
Remembrances of King Josiah
In their full context, nearly all of the quotations cited in the World War II Memorial include a reference to the faith of our national heritage. However, unlike the memorials that preceded it, not a single quotation includes a reference to the spiritual dimensions found in the original texts.
It seems common today to omit references to God and faith in public memorials as well as in public discourse, and to remove crosses and other symbols of our faith heritage from public lands.
Yet nestled beneath the cornerstone of the Washington Monument is a copy of the Bible. Perhaps at some point in the distant future, a workman doing some type of repair will discover the book and it will find its way to the leader of the nation. Will he weep over what was lost—like King Josiah—and share it with the people, or will the Book be dismissed as some unimportant relic? Only time will tell.
Allan Dobras is a freelance writer on religious and cultural issues and an electronics engineer. He lives in Springfield, Va.
Articles on the BreakPoint website are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Chuck Colson or Prison Fellowship. Outside links are for informational purposes and do not necessarily imply endorsement of their content. |
