April Fool (82/04/01)
One of my childhood friends married one of my younger sisters, so he became my brother-in-law. His birthday has always been easy to remember, although there have been times when he would have preferred that people forget it, for his birthday is today, April the 1st, also known as April Fool's Day. The origin of the practice of playing pranks or trying to fool people on this day is not certain, although there are various theories. Actually, however, an April fool is not that much different from a March fool or a May fool. The English word "fool" comes from the Latin word for a pair of bellows or a windbag. The Old Testament book of Proverbs has a number of things to say about fools. Among them are the following: "fools despise wisdom and instruction" (1:7); "the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (12:15); "the vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent man ignores an insult" (12:16); "a fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself" (18:7) and finally, "he who trusts in his own mind is a fool" (28:26). The wise man, according to the Bible, puts his trust in God and not in himself. Be careful today! Don't become an April fool!
Andersen's fairy stories (82/04/02)
Today, April 2nd, is the birthday of two very different men whose stories I enjoyed in my childhood. The one, an American of Gerdescent, was born 90 years ago today and died 20 years ago this month. He was my father. The other was born 177 years ago today in Denmark and became Denmark's best known author and storyteller. Can you guess his name? It is Hans Christian Andersen. Because he was Danish, his surname ends in s-e-n rather than in s-o-n as is the case with Swedish surnames. He was born into a very poor family. From his early years, he showed a talent for poetry and was later sent to school at public expense. Although he also wrote poetry and novels, he is best known for his fairy stories, which have been translated into many languages. The stories we heard as children are often the ones we remember longest. Simple stories may be the means of expressing deep truths. The stories that Jesus told to illustrate spiritual truth are called parables. The parable of The Good Samaritan, found in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 10, teaches us that all persons in need are our neighbors, to whom we should show love.
Pony mail service (82/04/03)
122 years ago today, on April 3rd, 1860, the pony express mail service began in the United States. Until this service began, letters between the eastern half of the country and the west coast were carried by ships, wagon trains or stagecoaches, which often took many weeks to reach their destination. With the beginning of the pony express, however, the distance of about 3200 kilometers between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California was covered by pony riders in eight days. St. Joseph was the western end of a telegraph line, and between there and Sacramento 190 relay stations were set up where ponies and riders were changed. The teen-aged riders rode some 120 kilometers a day through a wilderness infested by hostile Indians. They changed ponies about every 17 kilometers. This service lasted for about a year and a half, until the transcontinental telegraph line was completed in October, 1861. It is a picturesque part of American history. Tomorrow, Palm Sunday in the Christian Church calendar, commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. However, he did not ride on a pony. He rode on a donkey, as a symbol of humility and peace.
Palm Sunday (82/04/04)
In the Christian Church calendar, today is called Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday before Easter and the first day of Holy Week. It is called Palm Sunday in commemoration of Jesus' entry into the capital city of Jerusalem a few days before his death. At that time, according to the Gospel of John, a great crowd went out to meet Jesus, waving branches of palm trees and shouting "Hosanna", which means "Save now!" in Hebrew. "Palm" may refer to either the tree or its leaf. This name was given because the leaf of that tree bears a resemblance to the palm of a human hand. The palm leaf is considered a symbol of victory, triumph or joy. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday is called "The Triumphant Entry", even though he was heading for betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. When Jesus entered the city at that festival time, he was hailed as a king. However, he did not come to reign as an earthly king. His kingdom is the hearts of those who believe in him. If you have questions, comments or suggestions regarding these "Daily Word" messages, I'd be happy to hear from you. My address is: "Daily Word", P.O. Box 30, Moriyama P.O., 463.
Falkland Islands (82/04/05)
Another hot spot has recently developed in the world. In this case, hot spot does not refer to a place with a high temperature, for the place referred to is not far from the Antarctic Circle. Nor does it refer to a center of night life, for in the place referred to there are probably very few night clubs. This hot spot is the group of islands lying hundreds of kilometers off the southern coast of South America, called the Falkland Islands, which have become a bone of contention between Britain and Argentina. This group of some 200 islands, which have also been considered the possession of France and Spain, have been ruled by Britain for the past 150 years. They are bleak and rocky islands, swept by wind and drenched by chilling rains, but they are thought to have large, potential oil reserves. Argentina has recently forcibly taken control of the islands--at least until Britain takes them back again. Why is it that people and nations never seem to be satisfied with what they have, but are always trying to get something more--even if it rightfully belongs to someone else? It is this innate selfishness and greed, that the Bible calls sin, which lies at the heart of humanity's problems and which need to be taken away to find true happiness.
PL Kyōdan (82/04/06)
Yesterday, the All Japan High School Baseball Tournament came to a close. The championship game, between PL Gakuen from the Osaka area and Nisho Gakusha Daigaku Fuzoku High School of Yokohama, ended with a surprisingly one-sided score. The first and last hits of the game were home runs by the opposing teams, but PL Gakuen won by the score of 15 to 2. PL Gakuen is a school related to the PL Kyōdan, a religious organization that was established after the war in 1946. The letters PL are the abbreviation of Perfect Liberty, and at the heart of the teaching of this religion is the motto that "Life is art". Just ten years before PL Kyōdan was established, its founder, Tokuchika Miki, had become the leader of the Hito no Michi religion founded by his father. During my study of new religious movements in Japan, I had personal conversations with founder Miki on two different occasions. One of them took place in the country club house of the beautiful golf course at the PL Kyodan headquarters. As a Christian, I can agree that life may be considered a work of art, but I believe that perfect liberty cannot be gained simply through human effort. Inner, spiritual liberty is God's gift to those who put their trust in him.
Francis Xavier (82/04/07)
As a symbol, the letter "x" has many different meanings, but as a letter in English words, it is really quite useless. Very few words begin with "x", but in those that do, the x is pronounced like a z. In other words, x is pronounced like a combination of k and s, so it really is an unnecessary letter with no peculiar pronunciation of its own. Nevertheless, the surname of the first Christian missionary to Japan began with an X and today is his birthday. Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506 in the Basque region of Spain. He became one of the seven charter members of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. On this day in 1541, his 35th birthday, he left Europe for Asia as a missionary and engaged in missionary activity in Goa, India, Ceylon, Malacca and the Molucca Islands before arriving in Japan in 1549. During the 11 years of his missionary work in these different countries, he met with considerable success. He seemed to possess boundless energy, great kindness, personal magnetism and a combination of mysticism and common sense. He left his imprint on all the places he visited and is officially recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Maundy Thursday (82/04/08)
In the Christian Church calendar, today, the Thursday of Holy Week, is called Maundy Thursday. It is the day on which the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples is commemorated. According to the Gospel of John, chapter 13, it was during this supper that Jesus left his place at the head of the table, tied a towel around his waist, poured water in a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet. This was a striking example of his humility. He also instructed his disciples that they should follow his example by washing one another's feet. Later on, Jesus gave his disciples the new commandment that they should love one another, even as he had loved them. In Latin, mandatum novum are the words used for "new commandment" or "new mandate" and these were the first words of the hymn sung at the beginning of a service in which the bishop or priest washed the feet of 12 men, in keeping with Jesus' command. So, it is from that word mandatum that today became known as Maundy Thursday in English. I do not think Jesus meant for his disciples to hold foot-washing ceremonies. He meant for them to show their love for others through humble service throughout their lives.
Good Friday (82/04/09)
There are many common expressions in English that begin with the word "good". Most common are the daily greetings, such as good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good night and good day. We may also speak of a good-hearted, good fellow with good looks and in good humor who will do a good turn for others along with his good wife who is also good-natured. The Bible is known as the Good Book and Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. A Good Samaritan is a person who unselfishly helps others who are in need, like the person in Jesus parable in Luke, chapter 10. In the Christian calendar, today is called Good Friday. It is the Friday of Holy Week, commemorating the death of Jesus on the cross. Although Jesus' suffering and death was a very sad event when it occurred, it was later seen to be the greatest expression of God's love and good will for sinful people. Through his death and its deep meaning, his followers found new life and salvation. Thus, that day became known as Good Friday. I hope today is a good Friday for you. In case you want to put it on your calendar, our next "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting is scheduled for June 13th.
Caning in British schools (82/04/10)
There is an English proverb that says, "Spare the rod and spoil the child". In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 13, verse 24, it is written: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him". Traditional English educators took these words seriously and caning was a recognized method of discipline in English schools. As a verb, cane means to beat with a cane, and in British schools, for generations, schoolboys have been punished by being made to bend over and present their bottoms to be whacked by a teacher or headmaster with a cane, birch, switch, hairbrush or leather strap. Now, this form of corporal punishment appears to be going the way of the British Empire. That is to say, it is dying out. Recently, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that beatings could not be administered in British schools without parental consent. However, this ruling applies only to government schools. Private schools, including church schools, are free to continue the practice if they so desire. There are times when strict discipline of children and young people is necessary. However, it is important that the hand administering the discipline be motivated by a heartfelt concern for the child's well-being.
The meaning of Easter (82/04/11)
Today is Easter Sunday. The word "Easter", which contains the word "east" in it, was originally the name of a pagan goddess of the dawn and of the festival held in her honor. It was later appropriated by the Christian Church for its celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In order to keep the celebrations of Jesus' death and resurrection in a time relationship to the Jewish festival of Passover, which is fixed according to the lunar calendar, the date of Easter changes from year to year. In the Western Church, Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. The Eastern Orthodox Church, however, celebrates it one week later. Although Jesus' resurrection is celebrated annually on Easter Sunday, it is also celebrated weekly every Sunday, for it is because Jesus arose on the first day of the week that that day has become a holy day for Christians. Easter is a season of new life, new hope, joy and victory. It is this faith in Jesus' victory over sin and death that gives the Christian the confidence to endure the problems and difficulties of life.
Astronauts and cosmonauts (82/04/12)
It was just 21 years ago today that Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made man's first trip into space in the space ship called Vostok I. This flight took place 3 years after the U.S.S.R. put the first Sputnik satellite into space in October, 1957. He beat American astronaut Alan Shepard into space by 23 days. For some reason, in American English, it is common to refer to American space ship navigators as astronauts and those of the Soviet Union as cosmonauts. The suffix "naut" comes from the Greek word for sailor. The prefix "astro" comes from the Greek word for star, which we find not only in such branches of knowledge as astronomy and astrophysics, but also in the word "asterisk", which refers to a tiny star used in printing or writing to note something special. The prefix "cosmo" comes from the Greek word for world, and we find it in such words as cosmology and cosmopolitan. Space travel and exploration show the amazing progress of technology. However, it seems that sending people into space is an easier feat than solving the problems affecting people here on earth.
Easter Parade (82/04/13)
Years ago, when I was attending school in New York City, it was customary for a section of the broad Fifth Avenue in front of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral to be closed to traffic on Easter Sunday. This permitted the wealthy church goers to walk in the street and show off their beautiful new clothes--including many pretty Easter bonnets or hats. This show was commonly called the Easter Parade. In the greater Nagoya area, there were other kinds of parades on Easter Sunday, the day before yesterday. An estimated 193,000 people watched a parade in the Inuyama festival which has a tradition dating back 350 years. This was the largest attendance in history. An estimated 50,000 people in Nagoya paraded over the newly opened Central Bridge, which spans Sakura Dōri, north of the TV Tower. About 35,000 people visited Higashiyama Zoo and some 15,000 people were found along the seashore of Chita Peninsula gathering shellfish. Easter paraders in New York or Nagoya who have not experienced the new life God has revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ are missing out on the true joy and meaning of Easter.
Abraham Lincoln's death (82/04/14)
It was on the night of April 14th, 1565, 117 years ago today that President Abraham Lincoln and his wife were viewing a performance called Our American Cousin from the Presidential box of Ford's Theater in Washington. Suddenly, a man appeared in the box behind him and shot the president in the back of the head. With the shout of Sic semper tyrannis, a Latin phrase meaning "Thus ever to tyrants", this crazed, Shakespearean actor from the South jumped to the stage and made his getaway. The American president died the next morning without gaining consciousness. The American Civil had just ended and the difficult period of reconstruction lay ahead. In his Second Inaugural Address, delivered just over a month earlier, Lincoln had stated, "With malice toward none, with charity toward 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". It is too bad that Lincoln was not able to participate in that important work, but these immortal words have been an inspiration to many throughout the years: malice toward none, charity toward all and firmness in the right!
Leonardo da Vinci (82/04/15)
Today, April the 15th, is the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. He was born 430 years ago today in the Italian village of Vinci. By the time of his death, when he was 67 years old, he had made his mark as a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer and scientist. Among his most famous paintings are the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. The Mona Lisa is a portrait of the wife of Francesco del Giocondo, whose name was Lisa. It is famous for the intriguing smile on her face. Japanese people are also famous for their ambiguous smiles that are difficult for foreigners to interpret. In da Vinci's painting of The Last Supper also, the facial expressions are remarkable. They show the response of the twelve disciples, with their different characters, to Jesus' statement that "one of you shall betray me". Amidst the perplexed and agitated faces of the disciples is the peaceful expression on Jesus' face at the center. In Japanese tradition, it is common to hide one's true feelings behind an expressionless face. However, even then, our faces do express something of ourselves. If you have God's love in your heart, it should be seen in your face.
Mitterand flies to Osaka (82/04/16)
French President Francois Mitterand is now visiting Japan. It is the first time that a French head of state has visited this country. During his visit, he is engaging in talks with political and business leaders. However, on Sunday, he is scheduled to go sightseeing in the historic and cultural city of Kyoto, as most state guests do. It is customary for tourists, whether state guests or not, to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the shinkansen of the Japan National Railways. However, the French president has elected to fly to Osaka and go by car to Kyoto instead. J.N.R. officials are peeved by this obvious snub. Last September, France's new high speed train began operating between Paris and Lyon. It can travel 50 kilometers an hour faster than the shinkansen, but both countries would like to sell their systems to Korea for its Seoul-Pusan route. It seems that Mr. Mitterand does not want to have anything to do with this national competitor and this illustrates a difference between French and Japanese manners and methods. It also suggests a reason for the lack of progress toward a more united European Community. The Frenchman, Andre Gide, has written, "The nationalist has a broad hatred and a narrow love."
Stress (82/04/17)
The word "stress" has different meanings in English. In speaking, stress refers to the force used in uttering certain syllables, that is, a kind of accent, or the emphasis given to particular points in a speech. In physics, it refers to the pressure exerted upon a body and thus causing strain or deformation. In psychology, stress refers to inner tensions which must be resolved in order to live a healthy, happy life. This kind of stress not only distresses human beings; animals also suffer from stress. Consider the inner tensions of the animals in a zoo which are constantly being stared at by other animals on the opposite side of the bars. A recent study by a U.S. research foundation has shown that stress causes cancer to worsen and spread in laboratory animals. Nowadays, from the first day of kindergarten to the time of, and even beyond, retirement, people are living under various kinds of stress. How can one successfully meet and overcome mental and spiritual stress? The word of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah (chapter 26, verse 3), is that the Lord gives perfect peace to those who keep their purpose from and put their trust in him.
Martin Luther's declaration (82/04/18)
Many people these days are concerned about their diets. They want to eat things that are healthful, not fattening and so forth. But have you ever heard of the Diet of Worms? In this case, the word "diet" does not refer to what people eat. It refers to a formal assembly of official representatives--like the national diet of Japan. In the year 1521, rulers of the German nation gathered together in the city of Worms. It was before that assembly that the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, stood on April 18th, 461 years ago today, and made his famous declaration, following which he was condemned as a heretic. His final words were: "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, I cannot and will not recant anything. My conscience is captive to the Word of God and to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen." It was this kind of bold witness founded on a deep, personal faith in the face of an established institution that sparked the Protestant Reformation. It is the kind of boldness needed today to forsake the stagnation of dead tradition and move on to relevant, living truth.
Translation of the Bible in different languages (82/04/19)
How many different languages do you think are used in the world today? I don't know the answer and it is often difficult to distinguish between a languages and a dialect. However, a recent report of the United Bible Societies indicates that books of the Bible are now being published in 1,739 different languages and dialects. The whole Bible has been produced in 277 languages and the New Testament alone in an additional 518. Another 944 languages have single biblical books, but not an entire Testament. At the first convention of Protestant missionaries in Japan, held in Yokohama in September of 1872, a committee was appointed to oversee a unified translation of the New Testament into Japanese. A little over five years later, the first Japanese New Testament, written in classical Japanese, was published. It was on April 19th, 1880, 101 years ago today, that the thanksgiving service for this New Testament was held in the Shinsakae Church in Tsukiji, Tokyo. Bible translation into the language of the people has always been a characteristic of Protestant missionary activity.
Patriation (82/04/20)
Can you name the five largest countries in the world? Largest in area, that is, not in population. The largest, by far, is the U.S.S.R. However, which is the second largest country? It is not China, nor the U.S.A., nor Brazil. These are numbers 3, 4 and 5. The second largest country is Canada, which occupies over 40% of the North American continent. The earliest European settlements in Canada were established by the French, but later this land became a colony of Great Britain. A certain tension between French and English-speaking Canadians has continued to cause sparks in Canadian history. Such tension was evident last Saturday when demonstrators in the province of Quebec showed their opposition to the new constitution Queen Elizabeth II brought to that land. Now, for the first time in its history, Canada has its own, independent constitution, and a new word, "patriation" has been coined to refer to this act of "bringing home" the constitution, which until now was nominally a British law. In a Christian context, "patriation" might well refer to the work of Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again to bring people home to God, their true Pater, or Father.
Stolen bicycle found (82/04/21)
Last week, a couple of police women were given special citations by the Aichi Police Department. What did they do to deserve them? They simply faithfully persevered until their task was accomplished. These young police officers, in their early twenties, were on patrol at noontime in Kita Ku, Nagoya. One of the many bicycles parked by the entrance to the Heian Dōri subway station attracted their attention. The registration number had been scratched off. A name and address were still printed on the front fender, however, so they telephoned that person and found that the bike had been stolen over 20 days before. Since the bike was locked and did not appear to be abandoned, they decided to change to civilian clothes and wait nearby until someone came to claim it. They waited and waited. At 5:30, they were supposed to go off duty, but they continued to wait. It had become dark, but they waited longer. At 7:20 PM, a 22 year old factory worker came and unlocked the bike. Upon questioning, he confessed to having stolen it. Their persistence had paid off. A German proverb says, "Patience is a bitter plant but it has sweet fruit."
Immanuel Kant (82/04/22)
Parents do not like to hear their children say, "I can't". However, if the child studies Western philosophy, he or she cannot avoid having contact with the thought of I. Kant, for Kantian philosophy has a prominent place in Western thought. Today is the birthday of Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, who was born on April 22, 1724. Kant was born and raised in Konigsberg, Prussia, attended the University of Konigsberg and became a professor there. He never married and never travelled more than 96 kilometers from his home town. The strictly disciplined life of this philosopher was an example to the community and it is said that people could set their clocks by his daily strolls, for he always passed their houses at precisely the same time every day. It was Kant who taught that we should so act as to treat humanity, whether ourselves or others, always as an end and never only as a means. His name "Immanuel" comes from the biblical name for the Messiah. In Hebrew, it means "God (is) with us", and this also is an important truth for us to remember.
Shakespeare and the Psalm (82/04/23)
Today, April 23rd, is the birthday of one of the greatest writers of the English language. William Shakespeare was born on this day in 1564. There are many different ways to spell Shakespeare's name. There are also many details regarding his life that are unclear. However, it is clear that the literature that bears his name is unique in many ways. It was during his heyday that the Authorized Version of the Bible was published on the orders of King James I, so it is also called the King James Version. The style of this translation of the Bible is similar to that of Shakespeare and there are those who think that the translators of the King James Version paid a hidden tribute to Shakespeare in their translation of the 46th Psalm. The beginning of this Psalm states that since God is our refuge, we will not fear "though the mountains shake" and later on it affirms that "the Lord maketh wars to cease, he cutteth the spear in sunder". The 46th word from the beginning of this 46th Psalm is "shake" and the 46th word from the end is "spear". I wonder, is this a mere coincidence or was it planned that way?
Tonga (82/04/24)
The attention of the world is now focussed upon a group of islands in the south Atlantic, which have been under British rule for 150 years, but which have recently become occupied by Argentine soldiers. A much smaller group of islands in the south Pacific, known as Tonga, were also under British rule for 70 years until they were granted their independence 12 years ago. Of this group of 150 volcanic and coral islands, only 45 are inhabited by less than 100,000 Polynesians. The total area of all these islands is about one-third larger than the city of Nagoya. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of the Kingdom of Tonga is now visiting Japan. He is the last hereditary monarch of Polynesia. Polynesia comes from two Greek words meaning "many islands". Indeed, there are many islands in the south Pacific and from some of them the ancestors of present day, Japanese probably emigrated. Captain James Cook named Tonga "the Friendly Islands" when he visited them in 1773. I hope the King has a friendly visit in Japan. I also pray that a peaceful solution can be found for the Falkland Islands crisis.
Capital Punishment (82/04/25)
90 years ago today, on April 25, 1892, the guillotine
was first used to execute a highwayman in France. This highwayman had
robbed, beaten and stabbed an innocent man. This was during the time of
the French Revolution, when many people were being killed by very cruel
methods. The guillotine is an instrument used for beheading by dropping
a heavy blade on the neck of the victim. It was named after a French
doctor who advocated its use as a humane method of capital punishment
which was swift and comparatively painless. "Capital" in the term
"capital punishment" refers to the head, and a capital offense was punished by
decapitation or beheading. Various methods of capital punishment,
including stoning, crucifixion, hanging, gas chambers, electric chairs, firing
squads and cruel torture have been used throughout the ages. However, my
understanding of the spirit of Christ and of the New Testament teaching
causes me to oppose all forms of capital punishment as inhumane and immoral.
What do you think? I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on this matter if
you'd care to write to me.
Extraordinary (82/04/26)
As a prefix, "extra" means outside or beyond. When
attached to the adjective "ordinary", it is pronounced extraordinary and
refers to something beyond the ordinary, that is, exceptional or unusual.
Yesterday, an extraordinary event occured in the Middle East. Israel
returned to Egypt the Sinai Peninsula which it had taken during the 1967
Israeli-Egyptian War and held for the past 15 years. It is very unusual
for land captured during a war to be voluntarily returned. One other such
example was the return of Okinawa to Japan by the United States just ten
years ago. It is too bad the Soviet Union does not follow such examples
and return the northern islands which it took from Japan at the end of
World War II. The Soviet Union is the only country that enlarged its
borders as a result of that war. It expanded its area both in the east and
in the west. One of the commandments given by God to the Jewish people on
Mt. Sinai, as recorded in Deuteronomy 19:14, was "You shall not remove your
neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set." The Old Testament
makes clear that the property rights of others should be respected.
Daylight Saving Time (82/04/27)
Most clocks in the United States were set ahead one
hour last Saturday night or Sunday morning, for according to the Uniform
Time Act, which became effective in 1967, Daylight Saving Time begins at
2 AM on the last Sunday in April and lasts until 2 AM on the last Sunday
of October. The aim of Daylight Saving Time is to give an additional hour
of sunlight at the end of the usual working day. It is also a means of
conserving fuel and light. Benjamin Franklin recommended earlier opening
and closing of shops to save the cost of lighting soon after the American
Revolutionary War. During the First and Second World Wars, Daylight Saving
Time was established by law in a number of countries. Some farmers in rural
areas opposed it. It was introduced into Japan by the Occupation Forces,
but was unpopular with the nature-loving Japanese, so it was discontinued
in 1952. Someone has compared the system to an old Indian who cut off his
blanket at one end and sewed it onto the other end to make it longer.
Although we cannot make the day longer, we should take care how we spend the
time given us, for time is one of God's most precious gifts and we should
use it wisely.
Alcohol and Tobacco (82/04/28)
Recently, two different reports were published
relating to alcohol and tobacco sales in Japan during 1981. To me, both of
them were disappointing, for new records were set in both categories.
According to the National Tax Administration Agency, alcohol consumption in
Japan amounted to over 7,000,000 kiloliters—enough to fill the 37 storey
Kasumigaseki Building in Tokyo over 13 times. It showed an increase of
1.6% over the previous year and represented 4.5 trillion yen, or ¥54,000
for every adult. The Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Company reported that
307.6 billion cigarettes were sold in 1981, an increase of 1.2% over the
previous year. If all these cigarettes were lined up lengthwise, they
would equal the distance of 32 roundtrips between the earth and the moon.
To my way of thinking, the effects of all this drinking and smoking in
terms of illness, pollution and other social and economic damage is
enormous. The Bible teaches that our bodies are precious gifts of God which
should be treated with care. What do you think? I'd be happy to hear from you.
Andersen's fairy stories (82/04/02)
Pony mail service (82/04/03)
Palm Sunday (82/04/04)
Falkland Islands (82/04/05)
PL Kyōdan (82/04/06)
Francis Xavier (82/04/07)
Maundy Thursday (82/04/08)
Good Friday (82/04/09)
Caning in British schools (82/04/10)
The meaning of Easter (82/04/11)
Astronauts and cosmonauts (82/04/12)
Easter Parade (82/04/13)
Abraham Lincoln's death (82/04/14)
Leonardo da Vinci (82/04/15)
Mitterand flies to Osaka (82/04/16)
Stress (82/04/17)
Martin Luther's declaration (82/04/18)
Translation of the Bible in different languages (82/04/19)
Patriation (82/04/20)
Stolen bicycle found (82/04/21)
Immanuel Kant (82/04/22)
Shakespeare and the Psalm (82/04/23)
Tonga (82/04/24)
Capital Punishment (82/04/25)
Extraordinary (82/04/26)
Daylight Saving Time (82/04/27)
Alcohol and Tobacco (82/04/28)
Tennō Tanjōbi (82/04/29)
Books (82/04/30)
April Fool (82/04/01)