Ho no Hi (80/10/01)
15 years ago, in the 35th year of Showa, the Japanese
government declared that October 1st would be designated Ho no Hi, “Law Day.” It is a
day to encourage respect for law and for the protection of human rights. In English, the
word “law” is related to “lie” or “lay” and refers to something laid down or settled. The
Chinese character, on the other hand, is made up of two parts meaning “water” and
“leave.” The origin of this character comes from the banks or dikes erected around a
body of water to keep it from overflowing and leaving. Thus, it was kept within limits. All societies have laws that are expected to be obeyed, with some form of punishment due to the law-breaker. As human beings, we are all under God’s law and, because we are weak, none of us is able to perfectly keep his perfect law. This means that we are all law-breakers, or sinners. However, Christ brought the good news that God will forgive the sins of those who repent and trust in his grace. The New Testament book of Romans (6:14) states: “You do not live under law but under God’s grace.”
Census (80/10/02)
A national census is now being conducted in Japan. Even the vagrants with no fixed address who sleep on newspapers in the Nagoya Station are being awakened and questioned to make the survey complete. Some 759,000 census takers have been appointed as temporary government workers. This kind of census is not a new development. In the United States, a national census has been taken every 10 years since 1790, but in Japan, this custom began in 1920. A simple census and a more detailed census are taken every 5 years in Japan. The English word “census” comes from a Latin word meaning to enroll, to have one’s name put on a list. In Roman history, this custom of counting the people was for the purpose of taxation. It was such an event that brought Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where, in the providence of God, Jesus was born. Jesus once told his disciples to be glad because their names were recorded in heaven. It is important that our names be included in that national census list. Is your name written there?
the “Green Tunnel” (80/10/03)
It is often remarked that, in comparison with other major cities in Japan, Nagoya has few sightseeing attractions. A couple of weeks ago, the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce announced their plans to create a new sightseeing spot to commemorate their hundredth anniversary. Next spring, at a cost of some 15,000,000 yen, they plan to begin the building of a tunnel between the Chamber of Commerce Building and the Shirakawa Park, where the city Science Museum is located. This tunnel, however, will be above ground and will be called ‘Green Tunnel,’ for it is to be created by planting some 80 keyaki trees along both sides of the street and sidewalk. As the trees grow and extend their branches along this 330 meter distance, both sidewalk and street will be enveloped in a beautiful green tunnel that will provide shade in the summer and remain pretty even when the trees are bare. In our lives also, we should cooperate with God to make ourselves, our neighborhoods and our world more beautiful.
“to be patient” (80/10/04)
A few days ago, a man living in Shirakabe Cho, Higashi Ku in Nagoya called the police to complain that a car was parked on the street in front of his garage. The police came to investigate. While they were making inquiries in the neighborhood, the owner of the car appeared. She was none other than the daughter of the man who had called the police. This daughter had married and moved to Gifu. She had come to visit her parents after a long absence, but since she found no one at home, she parked her car and was visiting at a neighbor’s house until her parents returned. Needless to say, her father was very embarrassed when he found out that the car belonged to his own daughter. If he had been a bit more patient and not acted so hastily, he, his daughter and the police would all have been happier. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 14, verse 29, it is written: “To be patient shows great understanding; quick temper is the height of folly.” How long a fuse does your temper have?
Five (80/10/05)
Today is the 5th day of the month. The word “five” in English comes from the same root as the word “finger,” of which we have five on each hand. Since the normal person has a total of ten fingers, it is natural that a decimal system based on the number 10 was developed. This raises a question regarding the normalcy of the person who originated the English measure of 12 inches to a foot. (Maybe he was more interested in theology than biology.) The Greek word for “five” is pente, and we find it hidden in some English words. “Pentameter” is a poetic verse having five measures. The “Pentateuch” refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. A “pentagon” is a geometric figure having five sides, but it has become famous as the name of a building of that shape near Washington, D.C. The Roman numeral for five is a V, which originally symbolized an open hand. In the Pentateuchal book of Deuteronomy (15:8), we are told not to be hardhearted or close-fisted toward those in need, but to be openhanded toward them and to share what we have.
Technical (80/10/06)
Last Thursday night in the United States, in the western town of Las Vegas, which means “the plains” in Spanish, a boxing match was held. It was the world heavyweight championship bout between champion Larry Holmes and challenger
Mohammed Ali. Although in the fight, Mohammed Ali did not fall down, it was a downfall for him. He lost the fight by a TKO, a technical knockout. To be “technical” is to apply certain rules very strictly. In boxing, a “technical knockout” occurs when the referee stops the match because one boxer is so badly beaten, even though he has not actually been knocked out. “Technical” comes from the Greek word for art or skill or craft. At 38 years of age and in poor condition, Ali had lost his earlier technique. In sports as in study and work and life in general, certain techniques are helpful, but they become rusty through lack of use. Unused abilities may finally become unusable, so make good use of the gifts God has given you.
Tuesday (80/10/07)
Hello. This is “Daily Word.” Today is Tuesday. The English word, “Tuesday,” comes from the name of an Anglo-Saxon god. Tiw, spelled T-i-w, was the god of war, but his name is related to that of Zeus, the highest god of the ancient Greeks. In Roman tradition, the god of war was Mars, so in Latin-related languages, the name of this day of the week is related to his name. In Japanese tradition, Hachiman is the god of war. Hachiman (or Yahata) literally means 8 flags or banners, which may be seen waving in the breeze at some shrines or temples. Whether in Western or Eastern tradition, it is now time to say farewell to the gods of war and to welcome the God of peace. In order to have peace in the world, we must have peace in our own hearts. Before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them this word: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). I pray that the God of peace (Romans 15:33) will be with you this day and that the peace of God (Philippians 4:7) will be yours.
Harmony (80/10/08)
Last week, Prime Minister Zenko Suzuki made his first policy speech to the Japanese Diet. He ended the speech with a quotation from an ancient Chinese sage or wiseman named Mencius. Mencius (or Moshi, in Japanese) lived over 2,200 years ago and urged the various rulers of the Chinese states of his day to follow the doctrines of Confucius in order to improve society. My translation of his quotation is: “Earthly advantage is better than heavenly opportunity and harmony among men is still better than that.” Prime Mnister Suzuki is emphasizing harmony as the central theme of his government policy. The Chinese character for “harmony” (or wa) is made up of a rice staff and a mouth. The original idea seemed to be joining many mouths together in joyful singing for a good harvest. The English word, “harmony,” which may also refer to many voices blended together in a unified song comes from a Greek word, meaning “to fit together.” Harmony among people is a noble aim that all of us should seek in our daily contacts with others. Romans, chapter 12, verse 18 states: “Do all you can to live at peace with everyone.”
Riches in Heaven (80/10/09)
It was after 9 o’clock one recent evening that the Chigasaki Police Station received a telephone call from a lady who was very disturbed. That afternoon about 2 o’clock, the friendly paper-exchange truck was in her neighborhood, so she gave away a number of unneeded cardboard boxes that had been folded up. In return, she received 3 rolls of toilet paper and a packet of tissue paper. That didn’t seem to be an unfair exchange until she remembered that she had hidden an envelope containing a million yen (a hundred ¥10,000 bills) that her husband had drawn out of the bank the day before, which she had hidden in a box, fearing a thief might steal it. After realizing her costly mistake, she tried to locate the truck, but failed to do so and finally called the police. In Matthew, chapter 6 (19-21) Jesus taught, “Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth where robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.”
Taiiku no Hi (80/10/10)
Today is October 10th, the 10th day of the 10th month. In China, this day is called the “Double Ten” and is the day to celebrate the revolution of 1911, which brought Sun Yat-sen and his fellow republicans to power. In Japan, since 1966, this day has been a national holiday called “Taiiku no Hi,” a kind of Sports Day. Literally, taiiku refers to physical training and is one of three parts into which kyoiku, or education is divided. The other two parts are chiiku, or mental training, and tokuiku, or moral training. True education must include the cultivation of the entire person (body, mind and spirit) to develop a healthy individual. The English word, “education,” comes from a Latin root meaning “to draw out.” True education is not pouring something into another’s mind, but drawing out a person’s own personality and encouraging its development. On this Physical Education Day, let us remember Jesus’ words that “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Let us be concerned for the healthy development of our minds and spirits as well as our bodies.
Festival (80/10/11)
The city of Nagoya is now celebrating its 26th annual festival, called the Nagoya Matsuri. The Chinese character for matsuri originally pictured a hand, with meat and a table, indicating an offering to a deity. The fall season is a popular time for festivals in Japan. For farmers, it is the time to give thanks for the harvest. It is also a season of enjoyable weather. The word “festival” in English comes from a Latin root meaning festive, joyful, happy. Merrymaking during a festival is called “festivities” and the special meal eaten at that time is called a “feast.” In Japan, however, it is customary to say “it was a feast” (gochisosama deshita) after every meal that has been offered throughout the year. In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 14, Jesus taught that when people give a feast, they should not invite rich and influential guests. Rather, they should invite the poor and crippled and blind who are in need of friendship. Although they can’t repay you, God will repay you instead.
Columbus (80/10/12)
Today is October the 12th. In many states of the U. S. A., this day has traditionally been a state holiday called “Columbus Day.” It commemorates the landing of the three small ships under the command of Christopher Columbus on one of the Bahama Islands east of Cuba. Following many discouragements, Columbus left from a port in the south of Spain on August 3, 1492 and began his voyage west, over the Atlantic Ocean in the belief that he would arrive in Asia. It was over two months later, following a small mutiny, that, on October 10th, he sighted land and landed on October 12, 1492. He later made three other trips to the “new world,” all of which were to Central America. The pioneering faith that Columbus showed was remarkable. To make that first trip in uncharted seas to an unknown destination required a strong conviction in the face of many obstacles. In our lives, it is important to have an aim toward which we are moving and a deep faith that our course is right in spite of discouragement along the way. The risen Christ advised the church in Smyrna “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Dr. Ford to visit Nagoya (80/10/13)
“Toyota” is the well-known name of a Japanese automobile.
The name literally means “abundant rice field,” and is the surname of the man for whom
the company is named. Sakichi Toyoda perfected an automatic loom for textile making
and established the Toyota Automatic Loom Company in 1906. From this parent
company, a family of related companies have emerged, including the Toyota Motor
Company. “Ford” is the name of a well-known American car. In English, “ford” refers
to a shallow place in a stream or river that can be crossed by walking, riding a horse or in
a vehicle. However, it is also the surname of the man who was the pioneer of mass-
produced automobiles in the U.S., Henry Ford. Today, another Ford, this one, a
Canadian, who resides in the U.S., arrived in Nagoya. Leighton Ford, of the Billy
Graham Evangelistic Association, will be preaching in English at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, near Nagoya Castle tomorrow and Wednesday evening, beginning at 6:30. He is accompanied by an outstanding musical team. You are invited to attend.
Crusade by Dr.Ford (80/10/14)
In the Middle Ages, when the Holy Land of Palestine was
under Arab control, a number of military expeditions from France and other European
areas arose to try to bring the Holy Land back under Christian rule. These religious
inspired wars were referred to as “crusades,” from a Latin word meaning “to mark with
a cross.” Other words such as “crux,” “crucial,” “crucible,” and “crucifix,” are also
derived from the Latin word for “cross.” Nowadays, the word “crusade” may be used in
a non-religious sense of vigorous, united action taken on behalf of some cause or against
some abuse. However, in a narrower religious sense, a crusade is an organized effort to
proclaim the Christian Gospel to the masses. Such a crusade, that is marked with a cross
at the center, is being held this evening and tomorrow evening at the Aichi Prefectural
Gymnasium on the Nagoya Castle Grounds at 6:30. Dr. Leighton Ford, accompanied by
a musical team, will be urging his listeners to make a crucial decision. You are invited to
attend.
Finding the way (80/10/15)
Recently, in New York City, a man got into a taxi at 42nd
Street and Broadway. He told the driver to take him to the “‘Daily News’ Building.”
The driver, a young man whose English was poor, looked puzzled and said, “You show
me how get there. I take you.” When the taxi stopped for a traffic light, another taxi
stopped alongside. The driver of this cab was a young woman who called out to ask, “To
go to the Kennedy Airport, do I take the tunnel at 34th Street?” Again, the first driver
looked puzzled, so the passenger rolled down his window and told the other driver that
she should take the midtown tunnel, (which is closer to 37th Street than to 34th). “What do
I do when I get to the other side?” she asked. “Follow the signs marked Kennedy
Airport,” was his reply. His own driver then remarked, with admiration, “You know
city.” Whether we are trying to find an address, learn English, or understand the meaning
of life, we should take care when we choose our teacher or guide. Jesus referred to some
religious teachers as “blind leaders of the blind.” If we are looking for the way to true
life, Jesus, who referred to himself as “the way, the truth and the life,” is the Person to
follow.
Playoff between baseball teams (80/10/16)
The Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Lotte Orions are now
engaged in a playoff series to determine the championship of the Pacific League. The
Orions won the first half-season title and the Buffaloes won the second half-season title,
so a playoff is required to determine the league championship. In sports, a “playoff”
refers to a game or series to break a tie. However, to “play on” may mean “to take
advantage of,” for example, “playing on another’s feelings for one’s own purposes.” To
“play up” means “to advertise” or “to give special attention to,” and to “play down” is “to
make of small importance,” “to minimize.” Most Japanese speakers of English find it
difficult to distinguish between “play” and “pray,” which has a very different meaning.
Most of us do too much playing and not enough praying and some of us may even play at
praying rather than praying sincerely. For the Christian, prayer is not asking for
something. It is enjoying personal conversation with our Heavenly Father, who loves us.
Let us continue to pray on even after the playoff is over.
Savings Day (80/10/17)
One of the well-known fables of Aesop is about an ant and a
grasshopper. The ant worked hard during the summer to make provision for the coming
winter while the grasshopper merely sang and played. But when the cold weather came,
the grasshopper realized he had been foolish to waste his time while the wise and
industrious ant prepared for the future. In Japan, today is called “Savings Day”
(Chochiku no Hi). Until the end of the war, this 17th day of the tenth month was a
traditional harvest festival, called Kannamesai. On this day, which was a national
holiday, the first fruits of the new crops were offered at the Imperial Palace sanctuary and
at the Ise Shrine to show thanks for the harvest to be gathered in. In English, “to save”
means “to keep something safe.” The wise man will think about the future and set aside
some of his present resources for future use. In the book of Proverbs, chapter 6, lazy
people are advised to learn from the ant which stores its provisions in the summer and
gathers food at harvest. On this “Savings Day,” let us be thankful for what we have and
make plans for both our physical and spiritual needs in the future.
The importance of a comma (80/10/18)
Early this month, a new electronic telephone exchange system in the central business district of Kobe broke down. As a result, some 19,000 telephones connected to the Motomachi telephone exchange were out of order for 8 and a half hours. The telegraph and telephone corporation investigated to discover the cause of the breakdown. The basic problem was that a comma, needed to separate coded commands on a computer tape, was missing. Without that comma, the taped instructions became confused and the system broke down. A comma, is a very small mark, yet it is very important at times. In written English also, if a comma is missing or misplaced, an entirely different meaning may be communicated. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, wrote: “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” Today, a little word of encouragement to a friend, a short, kind greeting to a neighbor can make a big difference in their lives. Remember, “little things,” (including children) are important.
A law suit about sunlight (80/10/19)
Today is Sunday once again, so let’s think about a problem related to the sun. A couple of weeks ago, September 30th to be exact, a law suit was filed in a Nagoya court requesting 38 million yen on behalf of 142 6th graders at Matsubara Elementary School in Naka ku. The reason for the suit is the 14 storey mansion that was erected just across the street from the school’s playground. This has resulted in one-third of the playground falling under the shadow of this building and the children’s parents complain that the children are being robbed of sunlight. Who owns the sunlight? Can a building owner be fined for causing a shadow to fall on the school playground? This is a matter for the court to decide. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that the heavenly Father makes his sun to shine on bad and good people alike (Matthew 5:45). This is a sign of God’s love for all people. However, people can raise barriers that block the light of the sun and cause shadows instead. Our lives may reflect the light of God’s truth and love or obstruct it. Do we bring light or darkness into the world around us?
Baseball teams (80/10/20)
In professional baseball, it’s “series time.” In the United States, the World Series is being played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals. In Japan, the Japan Series will soon begin between the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Hiroshima Carp. In English, the word, “series,” refers to a group or number of similar things arranged in a row or a number of related events or books or stories. In baseball, however, it refers to a number of games played in succession to determine a winner. Both of the Japanese teams in the Japan Series have names that symbolize strength or power. A buffalo is really a wild ox, but is commonly used to refer to the American bison, which is a somewhat different animal with a straggly mane, short, curved horns and a bumped back. A carp is a hardy, freshwater fish. It is good for both a baseball team and a person to be strong, but it is also important to be wise—to know how to make good use of one’s strength. Proverbs 24:5 states that “being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength.” Along with our physical strength, we need to develop mental and spiritual strength as well.
Nagoya as Olympic site (80/10/21)
Aichi Prefecture’s Governor Nakaya and Nagoya’s Mayor Motoyama made a quick trip to Europe last week. Their destination was the small, independent principality of Monaco. (A “principality” is a country ruled by a “prince” just as a kingdom is ruled by a king and an “empire” is ruled by an “emperor.”) Monaco has an area of only some 370 acres or 150 hectares and is situated on the narrow coastal strip between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, known as the Rivera. Its most famous district is Monte Carlo, which is famous for its gambling casino. The Governor and the Mayor did not go there to gamble, however. They went to begin the official procedures aimed at getting Nagoya chosen as the Summer Olympic site for 1988. We will not know whether or not their trip was a success until the Olympic site is chosen next year. The great Greek poet, Pinder, who lived in the 5th century B.C. and wrote a number of odes about the ancient Olympics, wrote, “Even now I am full of hope, but the end lies in God.” So it is. We need to hope, but we must realize that the future is in God’s hands.
Woden's day (80/10/22)
The belief in many gods is called “polytheism,” from the
Greek words for “many” (polus) and “god” (theos). However, even among polytheists, there is usually one supreme god that is recognized as the chief or ruler of all the other gods. The name and character of that chief deity varies according to the culture in which it arose. Among the ancient Yamato clan in Japan, the central deity was the sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami. Among the ancient Greeks, the supreme deity was called Zeus. The ancient Romans called their chief god Jupiter, and among the Scandinavians in northern Europe, the supreme deity is called Odin. In Teutonic or German tradition, the chief god is called Woden and it is from the name of that god that this weekday received its name. Today is “Woden’s day” or “Wednesday.” The Bible teaches that there is only one true and living God, who is the creator of the world and all that is. The Old Testament prophets at times compared their God with the gods of other nations. In the
prophecy of Micah, it is written: “There is no other God like you, O Lord; you forgive sins” (7:18). The basic characteristic of the Biblical God is not his great power and wisdom, but his infinite love and mercy.
Bureaucracy (80/10/23)
The English word, “bureau,” comes from a French word meaning “working table” or “desk.” Since there are many desks in an office, “bureau” may also refer to a government office. From the Greek word “to be strong,” we get the suffix “cracy” and when this is added to “bureau,” we get the word “bureaucracy,” which refers to administration by sets of officials following an inflexible routine. According to one American critic, “the perfect bureaucrat is the man who makes no decisions and escapes all responsibility.” Recently, a letter was received by a beer company in China from a foreign collector of beer labels. He requested a label of that brand of beer. Such a request had never before been received and there was no precedent to follow, so the letter was sent from office to office, from bureau to bureau, from ministry to ministry, until 11 months later, the beer company responded by sending the requested label. How often we get bogged down in minor problems while we ignore things that are much more important. Jesus criticized those who strained tiny gnats out of their drink, but swallowed camels without knowing it (Matthew 23:24). Some rules are important, but they must not blind our common sense nor blur more important values.
A Teetotaler (80/10/24)
Aichi Prefecture is troubled this year with an especially high number of traffic deaths. In order to set an example and to encourage safer driving aimed at reducing that number, Governor Nakaya has vowed to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. It is reported that even on his recent trip to Monte Carlo when he met with Olympic officials, he held to his vow. Flying first-class on the airplane, he refused the free drinks offered and drank only juice and water. Despite the urging of his companions that his pledge need not be kept when he was out of the country, even in the formal meetings he held, he refused to break his vow. In English a person who does not drink alcoholic beverages is called a “teetotaler.” “Teetotal” is a word formed to emphasize the meaning of “total” by repeating the first letter “T.” Governor Nakaya should be commended for his resolution to stop drinking and for his firmness in keeping it. Even on this personal level, it is good to know there are politicians who make promises and keep them. If more of the prefecture drivers would follow his example, certainly the number of traffic fatalities would decrease.
A safe (80/10/25)
This is “Daily Word.” How are you today? Our word for today is “safe.” How safe is a safe? As an adjective, “safe” may mean secure, anzen. As a noun, it refers to a strong box or room in which to keep valuable things; that is a kinko, in Japanese. Last Wednesday night, a million yen was stolen from the safe in an office on the 4th floor of a building in Naka Ku. To open that safe two steps were required: a dial had to be correctly set and a key had to be inserted and turned. However, the police found out that the safe was not really so safe, for the dial was always set at the correct number and the key was easily found in a nearby desk. A safe that is so easy to open is not very safe. A safe driver is one who drives safely and traffic safety saves lives. We should be concerned not only about the safety of our possessions but about our body and spirits as well. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 29, verse 25 states that “he who trusts in the Lord is safe.” If you have questions, comments or suggestions to make regarding these daily messages, I would be happy to hear from you in either English or Japanese. I will certainly reply. The address is: Daily Word, P.O. Box 30, Moriyama Ku, Nagoya 463.
Marathon (80/10/26)
Today, in New York, over 16,000 runners are scheduled to participate in the New York Marathon. But what is a “marathon?” A marathon is a foot race run over an open course for a distance of 42.195 kilometers. Both the name of this long distance race and the distance involved come from a story out of Greek history. In the year 490 B.C., following the victorious battle of the Athenians over the Persians at the village of Marathon, a soldier ran the 26 miles, 385 yards from Marathon to Athens to report the good news of the victory. Having run that distance, he made his report and then dropped dead. From the beginning of the modern Olympics in 1896, the marathon was included and now the word is used to refer to any long distance or endurance contest. Our lives may be compared to a marathon. The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “the one thing I do is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above” (3:13-14). May God help you to run well in your life’s marathon today.
Entrance into a Japanese university (80/10/27)
Entrance into Japanese universities is usually based on the result of entrance examinations. Much of Japanese primary and secondary education is aimed at enabling students to pass those examinations. However, such an emphasis results in an unbalanced education that does not encourage the development of healthy, well-rounded individuals. The School of Economics of Nanzan University has announced a new method of admitting some students to its school next year on a different basis in the hope of stimulating a change in the present system. It plans to accept 13% of its new students without requiring the normal entrance exam. Rather, high school graduates who had a grade average of at least 3.5 in the 5 basic high school subjects, will be chosen on the basis of a recommendation from their high school, a character test, an essay and a personal interview. In this way, the school hopes to get more interesting students and bring more vitality to its campus. So it is that our estimate of others should be based on their whole personality rather than on only one facet of it.
Nagoya Assembly Hall (80/10/28)
In English, “face lifting” refers to plastic surgery for removing wrinkles, sagging flesh from the face. Recently, the Nagoya Assembly Hall in Tsurumai Park was given a face lift. The interior and exterior renovation of this building was one of the special projects to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Nagoya’s becoming a city. The recreation was begun in January this year and was completed just one month ago. This municipal hall was planned to commemorate the marriage of the present reigning emperor and was completed 50 years ago last month. At that time, it was considered the finest cultural palace in the Orient and along with the Nagoya Castle and Atsuta Shrine was a famous landmark of Nagoya. Having escaped bomb damage, it was seized and used by the Occupation Forces for over ten years after the war. Plastic surgery and paint can improve external appearances, but for a person it is the inner spirit that needs renovation or renewal. Jesus said that a person needs to be born again in order to enter God’s Kingdom. How is your inward renovation progressing?
Subway (80/10/29)
Patrick Day is a man from the African country of Sierre Leone who is attending the United Nations Conference on metropolitan problems here in Nagoya. Sierre Leone, a republic of Africa with an area of 75,000 square kilometers has a population of less than four million. Mr. Day has been surprised at many sights here in Nagoya, which are not even printed on the maps available in his homeland. One of his questions was why there are so few people seen on Nagoya streets. When he was told of the subways and underground shopping areas, he was still further surprised and insisted on seeing them for himself. The prefix “sub” in English refers to something under or below. A subway is an underground way, and in England, a subway is called an underground, which is short for underground railway. A submarine is a ship that sails under water and a subordinate is a person placed under an order of another. The Bible teaches that human beings are subordinate to God their Creator and that their true happiness is found by submitting themselves to Him. I would be happy to receive a letter from you in English or Japanese and will certainly answer it. My address is: P.O. Box 30, Moriyama, Nagoya 463.