Japan's writing system based on Chinese characters (82/10/01)
Today, October 1st, is a day of national celebration in the People's Republic of China. It was on this day in 1949, 33 years ago, that the communists, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, declared China a people's republic. Mainland China has the largest population of any country in the world, with over a billion people. Because it has the third largest land area of any country (following the Soviet Union and Canada), it is much less crowded than Japan. Chinese culture, religion, art, ethical system and language have had a great influence upon Japan. From the viewpoint of a westerner, it would have been much more convenient if Japan's first contact with a written language had been one with an alphabet instead of ideographs. I think that the use of Chinese characters for their written language has had a profound influence upon the character of the Japanese. Even for the native speaker and writer, to master Japanese requires considerable more time and effort than a language with a simpler writing system. Thankfully, God speaks to us in our native tongue-- in a way that the alert person can understand. He also speaks to us in a universal language--through nature and history, but not everyone is tuned in to his wavelength.
Jugoya in Japanese luner calendar (82/10/02)
According to the Japanese lunar calendar, last night was jugoya, or 15th night. The full moon on this 15th night of the 8th month of the lunar calendar is considered to be especially beautiful and in the old days many people enjoyed viewing the moon while writing poems and eating special foods. The moon is traditionally one of the three most popular subjects of poetry in Japan, the others being flowers and snow. The same word is used in Japanese for "moon" and "month" and a popular tanka poem notes that although one may see the moon every month of the year, this is the month for moon-viewing. There is a story of Osan, a kitchen maid, asking Sansuke, a bath attendant, whether the sun or moon was more important. Sansuke's answer was that obviously the moon was more important because it appears at night when all is dark, but the sun only appears in the daytime when no light is needed. In Psalm 89:37, the Hebrew poet refers to the moon as "that faithful witness in the sky". Although in Nagoya last night the moon was not visible, we know it was there above the clouds, just as we know that God's love is constantly shining even though it may be hidden from our view at times.
Pictures for blind children (82/10/03)
Among the things on display at the Kinjō Gakuin Junior High School Cultural Festival yesterday were some interesting picture books created by students of the 3rd year E Class. These illustrated books were given a 3rd dimension and had the story written in braille so that blind children could enjoy them. Nine girl students have been working on these raised picture books for the past 3 months. Making use of cloth, wool, cotton, paper, wood, etc., the pictures in these books can be felt as well as seen. They tried to make the pictures as true to life as possible, taking care not to put figures of people and scenery on top of each other which would confuse the blind reader. Tiny woolen mufflers or caps were knitted especially for some pictures to make them realistic. The girls were so enthusiastically involved in this project that they disliked having to stop to study for tests and used their own spending money for materials. The books will now be presented to schools for blind children. If these girls have experienced happiness in spending time, effort and money to make unfortunate children happy, they have learned a great lesson. Jesus taught that true greatness comes through sacrificial service for others.
Mirrors for women cyclists (82/10/04)
A mirror is one of the most common symbols in Japanese Shinto and is said to be enshrined in the Inner Shrine at Ise, one of the most important shrines in this country. In old Japan, the mirror was considered a mysterious object, an object of ceremonial and religious significance rather than of daily use. Nowadays, however, mirrors are used not only in homes but on vehicles as well. A Mr. Mano of Kariya City recently wrote a letter to the newspaper about his observations relating to the back mirrors attached to motorcycles and bicycles. One day while driving his car, he became irritated at a woman motorcyclist who was forcing cars to cross the center line in order to pass her. He found out that the back mirror on her motorcycle was adjusted so that she could view her own face rather than the traffic behind her. Following this experience, he found the same thing to be true with the mirrors of other women cyclists and wrote to complain about the situation. In the New Testament letter of James, chapter 1, the Word of God is compared to a mirror in which we may see ourselves reflected just as we are, but while riding a cycle is not the time to be looking at ourselves in the mirror!
A room for Bible study (82/10/05)
During the past month my Tuesday messages have included a question or topic for listeners to write about for the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, which will be distributed at the Listeners' Meeting on Sunday afternoon, October 31st at the YWCA. Mr. Iwai did a fine job in preparing the first issue and in order to give him enough time to prepare this 2nd issue, I will not suggest topics for essays on Tuesdays of this month. Nevertheless, I have another kind of question for you today. Since the church I pastor is in Takahama, I have no church base here in Nagoya. However, recently I have been asked to begin a Bible Study in Japanese. I would be happy to do so if a convenient and economical meeting place can be found--a place where non-Christians as well as Christians would be comfortable and where we could meet on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. The YWCA rooms are all filled on weekday evenings but somewhere there may be a room in an office building or some other place that could be used. If you know of such a place, preferably along the Higashiyama Subway Line, where we could hold such a class on Wednesday evenings, please let me know. If such a class is begun, certainly any listeners to these "Daily Word" messages would be invited to attend.
William Tyndale's translation of the Bible (82/10/06)
446 years ago today, on October 6, 1536, a man was executed at the Vilvorde Castle near Brussels. The man had been condemned as a heretic and was strangled at the stake before his body was burned. His name was William Tyndale. His basic crime was his translation of the New Testament into English, so that it could be read by the common people who could read neither Greek nor Latin. Tyndale also sided with the Protestant reformers on the continent and opposed the divorce of King Henry VIII. He had left England because his English New Testament could not be published there. It was published in Germany instead. That New Testament exerted the greatest influence on the translators of the King James Version of the New Testament 80 years later. William Tyndale was a Christian martyr who was determined to follow his conscience rather than submit to the coercion of the state. Both the Christian Church and the world of English literature are deeply indebted to this man with his firm convictions. I wonder how many of us are willing to follow our consciences when they conflict with tradition, current public opinion or even governmental policy today?
East Germany established (82/10/07)
Today is the Anniversary of the Foundation of the German Democratic Republic, also known as East Germany. At the end of the 2nd World War, the eastern part of Germany was occupied by the army of the Soviet Union, while the western part was under the control of the allied forces of the United States, Britain and France. On October 7, 1949, 4.5 months after the Federal Republic of Germany was proclaimed in the west, the German Democratic Republic was established in the east. In a speech delivered. in 1946, Winston Churchill figuratively referred to the iron curtain that divided Europe, but in 1961 the East German government constructed a material wall of concrete and barbed wire to stop the flow of Germans from the east to the west. However, an estimated 185,000 East Germans have escaped over the wall in the two decades since it was built. I have passed through that wall on two occasions: a round-trip by car and a one-way trip by train. There is a marked difference in both the physical and spiritual atmosphere on the opposite sides of the wall. Politically and spiritually, freedom does make a difference in both outlook and life style. Jesus said, "The truth will set you free." (John 8:32)
The Chicago Fire (82/10/08)
The city of Chicago, with a population of some 3,000,000 is the second largest city in the United States. Its name comes from an Indian word meaning a wild onion place. My home town is about 70 kilometers north of Chicago and I can testify that the city continues to have a certain aroma, but it is no longer that of wild onions. 111 years ago today, on October 8, 1871, a cow in the barn of a Mrs. O'Leary is said to have kicked over a lantern and started the fire which eventually destroyed the city, taking 300 lives and causing $200,000,000 in property damage. One of the most disastrous fires in American history, it is now known as the Chicago Fire. Following this fire, which destroyed poorly built, wooden structures, the city was rebuilt with stronger structures of stone and steel. Chicago now is the site of the world's tallest building, the Sears Tower, which is 110 stories high, towering some 444 meters above the street. Sometimes a disaster can produce a good result. Fires may be used to purify as well as to destroy. There may be thoughts, habits, sins in our lives that need to be eliminated before a new beginning can be made.
Uganda (82/10/09)
For oppressed individuals and nations, freedom is often considered the highest goal. However, freedom may also be an irksome burden. George Bernard Shaw has written that "When a prisoner sees the door of his dungeon open, he dashes for it without stopping to think whore he shall get his dinner outside." Many former colonies have gained their independence in the past 35 years. A number of them have found out that freedom was not what they had imagined it to be. 20 years ago today, the central African country of Uganda was established as a republic within the British Commonwealth of Nations. However, 4 years later the constitution was suspended as Milton Obote seized power. He was ousted 5 years later by General Idi Amin, who was named president for life in 1976 but who was lucky to escape with his life only a couple of years later after he had expelled some 50,000 Asians and killed an estimated 300,000 of his countrymen who opposed him. Uganda remains today a poor, largely illiterate, unstable nation. Freedom did not yield the expected blessings. For individuals also, freedom in itself does not insure happiness. Happiness is found when we know and follow God's purpose for our lives.
Different memorials on October 10 (82/10/10)
Today is Sunday, October the 10th. I wonder what I should talk about for my message today. Maybe I should talk about the Fiji Islands. On October 10, 1874, these islands were added to the list of colonies in the British Empire and 96 years later on October 10, 1970, they were granted their independence, so today is celebrated as Fiji Day in the Fiji Islands. Maybe I should talk about the Double-Ten holiday on which the Nationalist Chinese commemorate the revolution which began on the tenth day of the tenth month in 1911. Or should I talk about the Japanese national holiday which has been observed as a health/sports day since 1966 in commemoration of the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on October 10, 1964. In Japan, today is also observed as Eye Protection Day. It was chosen as such in 1931 by an association for the blind because when the two tens written in Chinese characters are placed side by side, they look like two eyes with two eyebrows over them. However, since my time is already up, I will only add that for the Christian, the first day of every week is a special day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ which brings new life and new hope to the believer.
Memorial days on October 11 (82/10/11)
Since October 10th, Health/Sports Day in Japan, fell on a Sunday this year, today, October 11th, is the substitute holiday. In Canada also, today is a national holiday. It is the Canadian Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated every year on the 2nd Monday of October. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is on the 4th Thursday of November, but in Canada, which is further north, harvest time comes earlier. However, today is also a national holiday in the United States. Since 1971, the 2nd Monday in October has been observed as Columbus Day. The traditional Columbus Day is October 12th, which is the day in 1492 that Christopher Columbus sighted land and landed on one of the Bahama Islands, which he called San Salvador. In the U.S. state of Indiana, October 11th is officially observed as General Pulaski Memorial Day in honor of Polish born Casimir Pulaski, who became a military commander in the American Revolution and died on this day in 1779 from battle wounds. We might combine the meanings of these various traditions by giving thanks for a good harvest, for our good health and for the faith and courage of those who have gone before.
The dream of Christopher Columbus (82/10/12)
In the United States, there are over 20 cities, towns or counties named Columbus and about twice that number named Columbia. There is also a Columbia River in the state of Washington, a Columbia University in New York City and the District of Columbia in which the nation's capital is located. Columbia was a name given to the emerging United States itself in 1775 and it continues to be a poetic name for the U.S.A. The name chosen for a South American country about a century later is spelled with an "o" for the second vowel instead of a "u". It was on October 12, 1492 that Christopher Columbus with his fleet of 3 small ships, manned by mutinous sailors who were afraid of falling off the edge of the earth, landed on an island east of Cuba. Thinking he had reached the East Indies in Asia, he called the inhabitants of these islands Indians. Christopher Columbus' place in history was gained as the result of his persistent effort to realize a dream despite many failures. In his case, refusing to give up finally paid off. St. Augustine wrote: "Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe."
Father Kolbe (82/10/13)
Although in Japan the word "canon" brings to mind a camera, in English, "canon" refers to a law or a standard used in judging something. In the Christian Church, canon is used to refer to the books included in the Bible and officially recognized as genuine. In the Roman Catholic Church, it may also refer to the list of saints officially recognized by that Church. The official act of the pope in publicly declaring a dead person to be a saint is called canonization. On Sunday, a former Polish priest who had served 6 years in Japan 50 years ago was canonized by Pope John Paul II. After his return to his native land, Maximilian Kolbe became the abbot of a monastery but was imprisoned by the Nazis in the Auschwitz concentration camp. In 1941, he offered to take the place of another inmate who had been condemned to death but who longed to see his wife and children once again. Father Kolbe was executed 14 days later. Jesus said to his disciples on the night before his death, "There is no greater love than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends." (John 15:13) This love of Christ continues today in the lives of his disciples.
Origin of O.K. (82/10/14)
Certainly one of the most popular American expressions is "OK". As an adjective or adverb, it means all right or correct. As a noun, it refers to an approval or endorsement. It may also be used as a verb, meaning to approve or endorse. There have been many theories regarding the origin of this expression. It was said to come from the initials of a railroad freight agent, Obadiah Kelly, who put his initials on bills of lading or from an Indian chief, Old Keokuk, who initialed peace treaties. It was said to refer to timbers used for the outer keel by shipbuilders or to the Orrins-Kendall crackers that Union soldiers enjoyed during the Civil War. However, factually, the term seems to have originated in Boston in 1838 as a humorous abbreviation of o-l-l k-o-r r-e-c-t, meaning "all correct". In 1840, a Democratic O.K. Club was organized in New York City which supported Martin Van Buren, who was also called Old Kinderhook, for the presidency. I hope that you are feeling OK today, that you will give your OK only to those things that are proper so that God will OK your conduct also.
Christians thrown to the lions (82/10/15)
The Pacific League play off was completed yesterday by the victory of the Seibu Lions over the Nippon Ham Fighters. The final score was 7 to 5 and it was Terry's grand slam home run that gave the Lions their winning margin. In English, a lion may refer to a person of great strength and courage or to a celebrity as well as the large mammal of the cat family which is known as the king of the beasts. The lion is also the symbol of Great Britain, so to "twist the lion's tail" refers to making statements or engaging in activities that cause Great Britain to be irritated. A showdown between fighters and lions, however, brings to mind the gladiators of ancient Rome who fought wild beasts in an arena for the entertainment of spectators. Early Christians were sometimes thrown to the lions as punishment for their refusal to conform to the Roman tradition, and the Old Testament contains the story of Daniel who was cast into a den of lions because he refused to compromise his faith. As a man of great courage, Daniel himself was a lion and left us an example of steadfast loyalty to God.
Festival time in Nagoya (82/10/16)
It's festival time in Nagoya and this year's festivities have a special international atmosphere. There are delegations in Nagoya from each of her sister cities overseas who are taking part in the celebration. At the Sister City Fair, which opens tomorrow at the Fukiage Hall, there will be displays and products on sale from Los Angeles, Mexico City, Nanking and Sydney. Filipino trainees at the Nagoya International Training Center will present a traditional Filipino bamboo dance and the Nagoya International School Chorus will sing. This city has become so international that it even has a daily telephone service in English, to which you are now listening. Isn't that great? The English words festive, festivity and festival all are related to the word feast, which refers both to an elaborate meal and to a joyful celebration. Originally these words had a religious significance. There are many references to Jewish festivals and feast days in the Bible. However, both the prophets and Jesus taught that meaningful celebration must be more than performing certain actions or keeping traditional customs. During this Nagoya festival time, let us also lift up our eyes to heaven and give thanks to the living God for his blessing upon this city.
Round robin letter (82/10/17)
Following their marriage in 1919, my father and mother moved into a new house in my hometown of Zion, Illinois. In that house, all six of us children were born. I have an elder brother, two elder sisters and two younger sisters. Although my father was a bookkeeper, all of his children, except for me, became school teachers--in university, high school or grade school. All of us now have either three or four children of our own. Except for an elder sister who became a missionary in Zaire, my brother and sisters continue to teach in their respective schools today. In order to keep in communication, we have a round robin letter that circulates among us, sent from one to another in order of age. When the letter arrives in Japan from Zaire with six letters enclosed, I take out my old letter and write a new one which I enclose and send with the other five to my younger sister in Illinois. Recently, that younger sister celebrated her fiftieth birthday. As a surprise birthday present, her husband arranged for a conference telephone call by which all six of us in our various separated homes were able to talk with one another at the same time for about 20 minutes. It was a most enjoyable experience. I am thankful to be a member of a happy and interesting human family as well as of the family of God.
Thomas Edison (82/10/18)
51 years ago today, on October 18, 1931, one of America's most prolific inventors died. "Prolific" means producing many offspring or abundant results. When this man was asked about the results of his research, he replied, "I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work." This inventor's name was Thomas Edison. Among some of the things he invented that did work were: a telegraph, a telephone, a phonograph, an electric light and motion pictures. Edison, who held over 1300 U.S. and foreign patents, had only three months of formal schooling before he became a newsboy at 12 years of age. Because of his inventive mind, he was considered a genius, but he himself said that "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Never satisfied with his own achievements, he declared that "discontent is the first necessity of progress." "Show me a thoroughly satisfied man," he said, "and I'll show you a failure." The great men and women of history are those who were not content with the way things were. They were active in bringing about changes--hopefully for the better. The healthy mind is one that continues to develop, producing new ideas, challenging dead traditions and aspiring for something better.
The Dragons (82/10/19)
The word "dragon" comes from the Greek word which referred to a great serpent. This mythical monster is pictured as a large reptile with claws like a lion, wings like an eagle and a tail like a serpent and which breathed out fire and smoke. There are stories of dragons in the myths of many varied cultures--including Babylonia and China, Greece and Japan. The dragon was used as a symbol in both the Chinese and Roman Empires and continues to be the national symbol of Wales. In the Apocalypse of John, the last book in the Bible, the dragon is a symbol of the devil, also called Satan. It may be that the Giants of Tokyo think of the Dragons of Nagoya as an evil influence, but last night was a time of rejoicing in Nagoya following the Dragons 8-0 victory over the Whales of Yokohama. Winning this last game of the regular season, which brought them the championship, gave the Dragons an 8 percentage point lead over the Giants. Although the total games won by the Dragons were two less than those won by the Giants, they had five more games ending in ties, so they ended up half a game ahead and gained their first championship in eight years. They will now face the Lions in the Japan Series, but dragons should be able to defeat lions.
The Milwaukee Brewers (82/10/20)
While the attention of baseball fans in Japan has been focussed on the final games of the Japan Central League, the World Series has been the focus of attention of American baseball fans. The teams playing in that series are the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals and the American league champion Milwaukee Brewers. Both of these teams are from the midwest. The St. Louis Cardinals, one of the oldest professional baseball teams, are named after a bright red, American song bird. The Milwaukee Brewers on the other hand, have a relatively short history of only 12 years. Their name reflects Milwaukee's fame as the largest producer of beer in the United States. Although we can speak of brewing tea or some other beverages, the basic meaning of "brew" is to make beer. Thus, brewers are literally "beer makers". Since my home town in northern Illinois is only about 72 kilometers south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin but over 530 kilometers north of St. Louis, Missouri, I am rooting for the Brewers, who are making their first appearance in a World Series. Although the Bible does not teach against drinking alcoholic beverages, it does warn against drunkenness and states that drunkards will not inherit God's kingdom.
Tazan no ishi (82/10/21)
Miss Michi Takehisa was arrested Monday. She is an intimate friend of Shigeru Okada, the former president of Mitsukoshi who was ousted from his position last month because of questions about his policies. Evidently her relationship with Mr. Okada has been a profitable one for Miss Takehisa, but an unprofitable one for Mitsukoshi. An editorial in yesterday's newspaper suggests that other executives view this incident as a tazan no ishi. This Japanese expression literally means "stone of another mountain". It originated in a Confucian poem about using a stone from another mountain to polish one's own precious stone. Even a crude stone can be used to enhance the luster of a gem. This expression refers to making use of the poor example or mistakes of others to reflect upon and improve one's own character or methods. In English, we also have the proverb, "Learn wisdom by the follies of others". To the person with an alert mind, all of life is a learning experience. All events may be teachers from which we can learn. We are surrounded with both good and bad examples, so we need to be careful whom we choose to imitate--both in English pronunciation and in moral living. Christians consider Christ the perfect example.
Dragons manager's cap (82/10/22)
Last Monday night, following the Dragons' victory over the Whales, Dragons' manager Kondo was tossed into the air by his happy team. In the excitement that followed, someone grabbed his baseball cap from his head. Mr. Kondo angrily tried to retrieve it, but failed to do so. He had worn that cap through the season and he wanted to wear it during the Japan Series. A sportscaster on a morning television show appealed to the filcher to return it. The 36 year old manager of an ironworks, a longtime Dragons fan, who had taken the cap, saw the TV show and agreed to return it. He said he had been offered up to ¥70,000 for the cap, but instead he had put it on the kamidana in his home and had bowed before it with the hope that he would become lucky like its owner. Although in Japanese, the word kami is used to refer to the biblical God and the same word is used for worshiping God and a baseball cap, obviously these words have a different content when used by Christians. We believe that genuine worship should be given only to the one, true and living Lord of all and that such worship is reflected in all of life, not only in periodic ritualistic acts.
Government of a country (82/10/23)
In Japan, October is a month of many festivals. The Japanese word for festival is matsuri and the Chinese character used for this word is a combination of meat, hand and table. Originally, it referred to placing meat on a table as an offering to the kami. In old Japan, there was no separation between religion and state affairs, so the word for government was matsurigoto. From the viewpoint of American-style democracy, the present political maneuvering within the so-called Liberal Democratic Party is a peculiar kind of matsurigoto. I wonder if these political power plays are truly reflecting the will of the people. In my view of democracy, voters should have a more direct influence in the process of choosing their Prime Minister. American president Franklin Roosevelt said that "A government can be no better than the public opinion that sustains it." Adlai Stevenson, a former presidential candidate, stated that "government is like a pump, and what it pumps up is just what we are, a fair sample of the intellect, the ethics and the morals of the people, no better, no worse." And Mahatma Gandhi, the nationalist leader of India, said, "We get the government we deserve. When we improve, the government is also bound to improve." I would be interested in reading your views of the present political situation if you'd care to express them.
United Nations Charter approved (82/10/24)
Today, October 24th, is United Nations Day. 37 years ago today, the United Nations Organization officially began to function. Four years earlier, during the Second World War, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill agreed on an Atlantic Charter which included 8 points related to their hopes for a better future for the world. On January 1st, 1942, a Declaration by 26 United Nations approved the basic points of the Atlantic Charter. On June 26, 1945, the U.N. Charter was approved by delegates of 50 nations meeting in San Francisco and on October 24th, this Charter went into effect when it was ratified by a majority of these nations. There were 51 charter members of the U.N., but today there are more than three times that number. The U. N. is an imperfect organization because it is made up of imperfect nations. Henry Cabot Lodge once said that "this organization is created to prevent you from going to hell. It isn't created to take you to heaven." Next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A., we will hold another meeting of "Daily Word" listeners and distribute the second issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. I hope you can be there.
Picasso's way of thinking (82/10/25)
Today, October 25th, is the birthday of the man whose name most people associate with abstract art. Pablo Picasso was born in Malanga, Spain on this day in 1881. Most of his life was spent in France and it was in Paris that he helped invent the art form known as cubism. Cubism was a revolt against representational art and included many 3 dimensional geometric forms. Picasso said, "Through art we express our conception of what nature is not." On another occasion, he said, "There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun." In line with the Japanese proverb, "Ten people, ten colors", the meaning and purpose of art differs according to the artist, but Picasso referred to art as "a lie that makes us realize the truth". Some of us find it difficult to visualize the truth by way of abstract art. At times, it is difficult to express the truth in spoken or written words, but the Christian believes that the truth was revealed in the life of the One who said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6).
Austria (82/10/26)
Austria has played an important part in European history. The Austro-Hungarian Empire came to an end with the First World War. Later, Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany and, like Germany, it was divided into four occupation zones administered by the U.S., Britain, France and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War. The Soviet Union refused to end the occupation until July of 1955. Today, October 26, is its national day. Situated between Communist East Europe and the Democratic West, the Republic of Austria is officially a neutral country, having no military alliances and without foreign military bases. It is too bad that so many nations of the world are spending so much money on armaments when many people are without the basic necessities of life. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven and warned them that those who use the sword will die by the sword. Next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A., we will hold another "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting. The 2nd issue of "Daily Word" Echoes will be distributed. I will give a short talk on Halloween and the Protestant Reformation. I would like to meet you there. Please come if you can.
Theodore Roosevelt became President at 43 (82/10/27)
The 26th president of the United States is remembered for his saying, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". That president was born on this day, October 27, 1858, in a wealthy home in New York City. He was educated by private tutors and after graduating from Harvard attended Columbia Law School. As a youth, his health was poor and his efforts to build up his physical strength had a marked effect on his character. He became a sportsman, hunter, horseman, rancher and explorer. As governor of New York, he antagonized the Republican bosses of that state, who decided to dispose of him by supporting his nomination for vice-president. He had served as vice-president only a few months when President McKinley was assassinated and he became the youngest president or the United States at 43 years of age. His name was Theodore Roosevelt and he once stated, "the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." Jesus taught that people should work for the food which endures to eternal life rather than for food that perishes (John 6:27). At our listeners' meeting next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W.C.A., we are planning to have another enjoyable time of fellowship, conversation and refreshment. I would like to meet you there if you can come.
The Statue of Liberty carried to New York (82/10/28)
In New York harbor there stands the 45 meter tall Statue of Liberty on top of a 46 meter pedestal. This symbol of freedom which welcomes the people of the world with the torch of liberty was a gift of the people of France. It was designed by Frederic Bartholdi, who oversaw its construction in France, which took some ten years. It was formally presented to the United States on July 4, 1884 and sent to the U.S. in 214 packing cases where it took over a year to erect on Bedloe's Island. The last rivet of the statue was driven in just before President Grover Cleveland dedicated the monument on October 28,1886, 96 years ago today. A poem written by Emma Lazarus which is graven on a tablet within the pedestal includes these words: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." Throughout its history, America has accepted all kinds of people into its national family and the motto of the country is the Latin phrase E pluribus unum, which means, "One from many". Liberty is a priceless gift that we should value highly and use with care.
Turkey's national flag (82/10/29)
A turkey is a large, native American bird which provided food for the early colonists and continues to be the main dish for Americans at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. However, Turkey is also the name of a country in southeast Europe or western Asia. In fact, a part of the borderline between the European and Asian continents runs through Turkey. The modern republic of Turkey was proclaimed 59 years ago today on October 29, 1923. The national flag of Turkey consists of a white crescent and star on a red field. The quarter moon and five-pointed star were ancient Byzantine symbols, said to have been adopted after Byzantium defeated a moonlight night attack in 339 B.C. The crescent has now become a symbol of Islamic culture. Both moon and star are symbols of light shining in the darkness. Our lives also should be transmitters of light in the society in which we live. At the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Y.W. C.A., I will give a talk on Halloween and the Protestant Reformation. I would be happy to hear your thoughts on these subjects or on other matters during our free discussion time. Please join us for fellowship, refreshment and exchange of views if you can.
Jugoya in Japanese luner calendar (82/10/02)
Pictures for blind children (82/10/03)
Mirrors for women cyclists (82/10/04)
A room for Bible study (82/10/05)
William Tyndale's translation of the Bible (82/10/06)
East Germany established (82/10/07)
The Chicago Fire (82/10/08)
Uganda (82/10/09)
Different memorials on October 10 (82/10/10)
Memorial days on October 11 (82/10/11)
The dream of Christopher Columbus (82/10/12)
Father Kolbe (82/10/13)
Origin of O.K. (82/10/14)
Christians thrown to the lions (82/10/15)
Festival time in Nagoya (82/10/16)
Round robin letter (82/10/17)
Thomas Edison (82/10/18)
The Dragons (82/10/19)
The Milwaukee Brewers (82/10/20)
Tazan no ishi (82/10/21)
Dragons manager's cap (82/10/22)
Government of a country (82/10/23)
United Nations Charter approved (82/10/24)
Picasso's way of thinking (82/10/25)
Austria (82/10/26)
Theodore Roosevelt became President at 43 (82/10/27)
The Statue of Liberty carried to New York (82/10/28)
Turkey's national flag (82/10/29)
Invasion by Martians (82/10/30)
Reformation Day (82/10/31)
Japan's writing system based on Chinese characters (82/10/01)