Washington, D.C. has been in the news lately. We would expect that since it is the seat of our nation’s government. However, due to President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to restore the safety of the city, proponents and opponents alike have voiced their opinions. If we could roll the clock back 232 years to this day in 1793, the scene would have been quite different.
As our new nation was born, it didn’t have an official capital to call home. “Congress met in eight different cities, including Baltimore, New York and Philadelphia, before 1791. In 1790, Congress passed the Residence Act, which gave President Washington the power to select a permanent home for the federal government. The following year, he chose what would become the District of Columbia from land provided by Maryland and Virginia. Washington picked three commissioners to oversee the capital city’s development and they in turn chose French engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to come up with the design.”1
In September 1793, plans were ready to build The Capital Building. On September 18, a ceremony was held. “Activities began at 10:00 a.m. with the appearance of President Washington and his entourage on the south bank of the Potomac River. Crossing the river with the president was a company of volunteer artillery from Alexandria… Soon, the engraved plate was delivered and the inscription read [in part]:
“This South East corner stone, of the Capitol of the United States of America in the City of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, in the thirteenth year of American Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as conspicuous and beneficial, as his Military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties….
“The plate was handed to Washington, who stepped down into the foundation trench, laid the plate on the ground, and lowered the cornerstone onto it.”2
In 1991, a project began to retrieve the cornerstone plate. Architects burrowed deep into the earth, cutting an interior trough in the rock. The plate could not be found. It is believed that the plate might be a part of Statuary Hall, a part of the Capital Building.
Here’s my question. The placement of the plate and the lowering of the cornerstone was well documented. How do you lose a cornerstone and engraved plate?!?
The Bible tells us about the most important Cornerstone, a Rock that can never be lost, misplaced, or disappear. Isaiah 28:16 says, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” The cornerstone Isaiah speaks of is the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
This stone was rejected by the Jews. Jesus asked in Matthew 21:42-44, “,,,Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? (43) Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (44) And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”
Those who receive Jesus as Savior are built upon this Cornerstone. We are the “holy temple” of the Lord. The wise man in Matthew 7 built his house – his spiritual life – upon this rock and even though the storms and tempest of life came, his house stood firm.
Rejoice today in your Cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20-22 says, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/september-18/capitol-cornerstone-is-laid
2https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/first-cornerstone
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