Miracles (85/09/01)
A miracle is an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature and so is held to be supernatural or an act of God. In all religions, there are stories of miraculous happenings. In the Bible, most miracle stories are concentrated around 3 important periods in Biblical history: the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt under the leadership of Moses, a crucial time of religious apostacy during the days of Elijah and Elisha and the time of Jesus and his apostles. Miracle stories in the Bible have an underlying purpose to teach something about God and his nature. My sermon today centered on 2 miracles recorded in the 17th chapter of I Kings, where the prophet, Elijah, was miraculously sustained during a time of drought--first by ravens which brought him food every morning and evening and later by a widow who took him into her home. Strangely enough, her jar of flour and jug of oil never reached bottom while he was there. These stories teach us that God is in control of all events of life and that he will provide for his children. According to this story, the jug of oil never failed, and according to the New Testament, God's love never fails. There is a close relationship between these two declarations.(1656)
Labor Day (85/09/02)
Technically speaking, there are no national holidays in the United States, for the legislature or the governor of each state decides what holidays their state will observe. Legally, the President and Congress can only designate holidays for the District of Columbia and for federal employees. In practice, however, most states observe the federal holidays, of which there are 9. Today, the 1st Monday of September is one of the 6 federal holidays observed by all 50 states. Called Labor Day, it was 1st observed in New York City in 1882 to honor laborers. Since 1894, it has been a legal holiday for federal employees. For students, Labor Day marks the end of the 3-month-long summer vacation, for the following day is usually the 1st day of a new school year in the public schools. Tomorrow should also be the beginning of a new session of the Bible Class I teach at the City Kyōikukan on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of the month, but this month we will meet on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays instead. On September 17th, I plan to begin teaching the New Testament book called The Acts of the Apostles in both Japanese and English. You are invited to attend that class if you are interested.
Listeners' meeting (85/09/03)
Today is Tuesday, September the 3rd. This means that September 1st fell on Sunday. When the 1st day of the month falls on Sunday, there are 2 inevitable consequences. One is that the 13th day of that month will fall on Friday, which some people consider to be an unlucky combination. Another, happier result is that there will be 5 Sundays that month. On the 5th Sunday of the month, it is our custom to hold a meeting of listeners to these "Daily Word" messages, so on September 29th at 1:30, we plan to hold the 19th such meeting at the Nagoyashi Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. At that time, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of this telephone service which began on September 1st, 1980. A special guest will be a popular TV newscaster, who is also a listener. Mark the date in your calendar and plan to join us for a time of friendly fellowship and refreshment. At these meetings "broken English" is an acceptable idiom, so don't hesitate to attend. The 13th issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, full of interesting essays contributed by listeners, will also be on sale. My wife and I look forward to seeing you there. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.(1658)
Los Angeles (85/09/04)
204 years ago today, on September 4, 1781, an expedition of 44 settlers (11 men, 11 women and 22 children) entered a new town in southern California that had been prepared for them. One of the few towns of that day that was laid out before it was occupied, it was located in a fertile valley named Portiuncula, after an Italian chapel associated with Francis of Assisi. The town consisted of a central plaza surrounded by simple houses with rawhide doors and paneless windows. A group of Indians gathered to watch the procession slowly circle the plaza and then ceremonially invoke God's blessing on the new community. The name given to this Spanish settlement was El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Portiuncula, meaning The City of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Portiuncula. That town has now become the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the United States. Its name has been shortened to Los Angeles and, in 1959, this "City of the Angels" became the sister city of Nagoya. According to I Corinthians 13, even if we speak the language of angels, without love, our words are without effect.(1659)
Nagoya's tallest building (85/09/05)
In English, a very tall building is called a skyscraper, implying that it scrapes the sky. When I lived in New York City, the tallest building in the world was the 381 meter high Empire State Building, having 102 floors. Now the world's tallest building is the Sears Tower in Chicago, towering 443 meters above the ground and having 110 floors. Last week, plans to build a new noppo-biru in Nagoya were reported. Now, the tallest building in the city is the 102 meter high Nagoya International Center Building, with 26 floors. According to the reported plans, the office wing of the new noppo-biru will house the Asahi Shimbun, and the Hilton Hotel will occupy the 28 floor hotel wing, measuring 110 meters high. Do you know the derivation of noppo, referring to something or someone very tall? It is made up of the no of nobiru with the ending of shippo added. According to an old story found in Genesis, chapter 11, when people tried to build a tower that reached to the sky, God frustrated their proud plans by mixing up their languages so they couldn't understand one another. From this story, we get the words "babel", "babble" and "Babylon". (1660)
Jane Addams (85/09/06)
A number of famous people in American history have the surname of Adams spelled A-d-a-m-s. However, one famous American has that surname spelled with 2 "d"s. Jane Addams, a pioneer social worker, was born 125 years ago today. In 1889, she founded a settlement house in a deprived area of Chicago called Hull House. Dedicated to improving community life by giving welfare assistance to needy families and providing recreation facilities for children, Hull House became the center of social life with its varied activities and services--providing nurseries, sewing classes, and English classes for foreigners as well as a meeting place for labor unions. Jane Addams became the recognized leader of social settlement work in the United States and championed the cause of justice for laborers, immigrants, blacks, children and women. She was a prominent pacifist and, in 1931, became the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Although she died in 1935, her words still ring true today: "America's future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what it is taught, hence we must watch what we teach it, how we live before it". (1661)
Taking off one's shoes (85/09/07)
After coming to Japan, foreigners must get used to the custom of taking off their shoes when entering a house. Now, my wife and I have become so accustomed to this custom that we usually follow it even when we go back to our homeland. Not only is it more comfortable, it is also more sanitary. However, in the case of large, public buildings, the prohibition against shoes has provoked opposition among some people. Hospitals, in particular, have considered that removing the shoes worn outside and using slippers is a custom that should be continued. The prefectural Cancer Center has been the scene of controversy between pro-slipper and anti-slipper factions for some time past. With an average of 280 inpatients and of some 400 daily out-patients, there has been increasing pressure to change the rule requiring slippers. For the past 2 years a committee has been examining this problem and their report indicates that social pressure was effective. Beginning this month, people can wear their shoes in the Cancer Center. The Bible teaches that it is not the dirt that clings to shoes that should concern us so much as the dirt that pollutes minds. In Jesus' day, the feet of guests were washed when entering a house, but he taught that people's spirits need to be cleansed and that's what he came to do. ( 1662)
Doing what is right (85/09/08)
My sermon this Sunday is from the story found in the 3rd chapter of the Gospel According to Mark, where it is recorded that Jesus healed a man with a paralyzed hand. Some very conservative people criticized Jesus for healing this man on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest. One of the 10 Commandments which are the heart of the Jewish law, states that no work should be done on the Sabbath. Although Jesus knew that his act would be criticized, he did not hesitate to do it anyway. If he were a politician, he would have waited till the next day, when everyone would have approved of his merciful act. But he didn't wait; when he saw a man in need, he responded immediately with love, regardless of the "political" consequences. In this simple story, we can find a number of truths that are relevant in our day also. Among them are the following: we should take advantage of the opportunity to show God's love whenever it arises, not hesitating to do what is right and good despite criticism by others; when the interpretation of traditional rules or customs is in conflict with showing love to a person in need, we should value a person above the rule; and we should remember that our primary responsibility is to follow the will of God and not to please people--even influential people. (1663)
Slip of the tongue (85/09/09)
The word "slip" has various meanings. It means to slide smoothly on a slippery place. A woman's undergarment which slips on easily is called a slip while a slipper is a shoe which easily slips on the foot. Slip may also refer to a trivial mistake. In the case of a written error, we may speak of a "slip of the pen", while a spoken error is called a "slip of the tongue" or a "slip of the lip". In my message of last Monday, I made a "slip of the lip" when I said that the new series of Bible Studies I will teach at the City Kyōikukan would begin on September 10th. I should have said "September 17th". In fact, I will be speaking tomorrow evening at the Kyōikukan to the Shūkyō Bunka o Kangaeru Kai on the theme of "Shinkō Shūkyō to Gendai Shisō", but that is a different meeting than the Bible Study. I'm sorry for that slip up. An old Greek proverb states, "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip", which means that plans that seem completely settled may be upset at the last minute. An English proverb affirms that it is "Better to slip with the foot than with the tongue", but according to Psalm 94:18, when our feet slip, God's love will keep us from falling.(1664)
Colors (85/09/10)
25 years today, on September 10, 1960, color television broadcasting began in Japan. Now, most Japanese homes have at least 1 kara-terebi. The Japanese word kara- is the transliteration of 2 quite different English words. Until coming to Japan, I had never heard of a haikara, the term used to refer to a stylish person who was addicted to western fashion. In English, we may speak of white collar workers and of blue collar workers, but "high collar" is not a term used in English. Now, kara-shatsu are on sale in Japan. Actually, kara-shatsu are a special category of so-called waishatsu but if you asked to see a "colored white shirt" in an American store, the clerk would be quite confused. All residents of South Africa are considered white, black or colored. In this case, "colored" refers to people of mixed blood and Japanese are put into the "white" category. Unfortunately, many people today are judged by the color of their skin rather than by their ability or moral character. People with a lighter skin color are no less "colored" than those of a darker hue. The Bible teaches that all of us "colored" people are children of the same heavenly Father and thus a part of the same human family.(1665)
Lemon (85/09/11)
Do you like lemons? A lemon is a yellow, egg-shaped citrus fruit with an acid taste. A piece of lemon is often served with fish. Centuries ago, it was believed that fish bones dissolved in lemon juice. That's how the custom began--not to add flavor but to dissolve any bones the diner might swallow. In English, "lemon" is also used colloquially to refer to something unsatisfactory, inferior or worthless. When buying a used car, one must be careful not to buy a lemon. Lemons have become expensive recently in Japan. The reason is that there has been too much rain in Spain. Although most of the lemons sold in Japan are imported from the United States, Spain is a major supplier of the U. S. A poor harvest in Spain meant fewer lemons were sent to the U. S., which then cut its exports to Japan. Consequently, a single regular-sized lemon now costs about ¥300, compared to only ¥100 in April and May. This shows how inter-related events in various countries are these days. Rain in Spain causes a rise in the price of American lemons sold in Japan. Even as the bitter taste of lemon may add flavor to food, so a bitter experience may add meaning to life.(1666)
Bats made by Mizuno (85/09/12)
In 1928, when American baseball player, Ty Cobb, played the last of the 3,033 major league games during his 24-year career, he left behind him a number of records that still remain. One of them was the total number of hits made by one player. That record of 4,191 is about to be broken, for Pete Rose, the player-manager of the Cincinnati Reds, has now tied Cobb's record. Red is the identifying color of the Cincinnati team and "rose" may refer to a color as well as a flower as well as to a person with that surname. Pete Rose uses bats made by the Japanese sporting goods manufacturer, Mizuno, which first made bats of rose-colored wood especially for him, but the National League prohibited use of such bats because they were not of regulation color. Now, Rose uses a black bat made by that company. Ty Cobb's record stood for 57 years, but records are made to be broken. We also are making a kind of record during our lifetime. After our death, what will people remember about us? If you have any comments to make regarding this telephone service, I would be happy to hear from you. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, 463. (1667)
Superstitions (85/09/13)
Once again today, superstitious people must make a choice whether they will follow the superstition of the West or of the East. Today is Friday, the 13th, considered the most unlucky day by superstitious people in western lands. It is also a taian day, the most propitious day according to Chinese reckoning. Which form of superstition appeals to you? My advice is to disregard all forms of superstition, but this is easier said than done. Last week, I attended a seminar in Kyoto on so-called Ancestor Worship. I was reminded of the superstitious fear of many people relating to death and evil influences coming from the spirits of the dead. Although they may not admit it, one of the underlying motivations for ceremonies related to the dead is the fear of punishment if such ceremonies are not carried out, Even in this day of advanced education people continue to live with fearful hearts due to superstitions regarding lucky/unlucky days, directions, words, actions, etc. The Good News that Christ brought into the world brings deliverance from the bondage of fear through a healthy faith in a loving, heavenly Father. In Mark 4:40, Jesus asked his disciples, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" His question remains relevant today. (1668)
Assassination (85/09/14)
4 of the 40 presidents of the United States have been assassinated while in office. Do you know their names? You may know the names of the first and last ones: Abraham Lincoln, who died in 1865, and John Kennedy, who was killed in 1963. The 2nd president to be assassinated was James Garfield, who was shot, after only a few months in office, in 1881. 84 years ago today, on September 14, 1901, William McKinley, the 24th president, died of the gunshot wounds he received a week earlier. In some ways, the conservative, Republican administration of President McKinley may be compared to that of President Reagan today. During McKinley's administration, the United States supported Cuba's struggle for independence against Spain and finally declared war against Spain itself. As a result of this short Spanish-American War, the United States gained control over the Spanish territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Following McKinley's assassination, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became president. Napoleon has written: "There are different ways of assassinating a man--by pistol, sword, poison or moral assassination. They are the same in their results except that the last is more cruel."(1669)
Respect for the Aged Day (85/09/15)
This 15th day of September is one of the 12 national holidays in Japan. It is now called "Respect for the Aged Day" and today, senior citizens are honored at ceremonies throughout the country. Japan now holds the world record for the longest life-span of its citizens. As the average age of the population increases, society faces various problems regarding how to care for the elderly and to help them live a meaningful life without unnecessary worries. As people advance in age, there are many matters that may cause them concern. My sermon today is based on the story at the end of the 4th chapter of the Gospel according to Mark. Jesus was in a boat with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose. The wind was strong. The waves were rough. And the disciples were afraid the boat would sink and they would drown, but in response to Jesus' command "Peace! Be still!", the wind ceased and there was a great calm. This story teaches us that in the storms of our lives also, when we are fearful of the future, we may have peace if Christ is with us. Before his death, he said to his disciples, "Peace is my parting gift to you". This peace of God in our hearts is a priceless gift--for old and young and middle-aged alike. (1670)
Jewish New Year (85/09/16)
Today, September 16th, is a holiday in Japan because yesterday's official holiday fell on a Sunday. It is also a holiday in Israel, for according to the Jewish calendar, today is New Year's Day, marking the beginning of the year 5746. In Jewish synagogues, a ram's horn trumpet, called a shofar is blown to mark the beginning of the new year and of a period of meditation, self-examination and repentance. As a part of the holiday meal, bread or apples are dipped in honey to symbolize the hope for a sweet new year. Tomorrow will also mark the beginning of a new year for the Bible Class I teach on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of the month at the City Kyōikukan, one block north of the Mitsukoshi Department Store at Sakae. We will begin studying the Acts of the Apostles in Japanese beginning at 6:30 and repeat the same lesson in English beginning at 7:30. You are invited to attend either one or both of these classes. And don't forget the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting to be held at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Senta- on Sunday afternoon, September 29th at 1:30. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463. (1671)
The Titanic (85/09/17)
In Greek mythology, there is a family of giants known as the Titans. Thus, in English, a person of great size or strength may be called a "titan" and the adjective "titanic" refers to something huge. 73 years ago, a ship of colossal size, extraordinary speed and luxurious furnishings, named the Titanic, was on its first voyage from England to the United States. It carried over 2,000 passengers and was considered unsinkable. The ship had an insufficient number of lifeboats and even though warnings of icebergs had been received, it continued to move at high speed. On its 5th day out, it hit an iceberg and sank, carrying 1,517 people to a watery grave. This month, a submersible robot transmitted pictures of the Titanic, standing upright on the ocean floor, some 4,000 meters below the surface. Considering the many wealthy people who went down with the ship, there are certainly many treasures that remain in it, but there are now legal problems about who owns the ship and technical and moral problems about whether it can or should be raised and brought back to land. The fate of the Titanic (and of some recent airships) reminds us of the frailty of human reasoning in comparison with the changeless power of nature. (1672)
Tsukuba Expo '85 (85/09/18)
The Tsukuba Expo '85, which opened on March 17, has now ended. Was that international science exposition a success? It probably depends on who you ask and how you define "success". 47 foreign countries, 37 international organizations and 28 domestic businesses participated in the exposition and the goal of 20 million visitors was reached on the last day. The organizing committee announced that it would be able to meet all its financial obligations. However, in some ways the exposition did not live up to expectations. Proprietors of souvenir shops, restaurants and accommodation facilities in the area lost money because there were too many shops competing with each other. There were complaints that there was little that was actually new or original on display and that entertainment took precedence over genuine scientific interest. And finally, the long waiting lines were exasperating. Foreign visitors were surprised at the attitude of Japanese people who waited so patiently in line. "Success" cannot be measured in monetary terms alone. In Proverbs 19:1, we read, "It is better to be poor but honest than to be a lying fool".(1673)
Hydroponic tomato (85/09/19)
There are a number of English words that contain the root "h-y-d-r", which comes from the Greek word for water. A hydrangea is a beautiful plant that needs much water. A hydrant is an upright pipe from which water may be drawn. Hydraulic refers to something run by water power. Hydrophobia is a fear of water and dehydrate means to remove the water from something. Hydroponics refers to the growing of plants in water instead of in soil. At the Tsukuba Expo, which closed this week, a tomato plant was on display at the Japanese government's Theme Pavilion that had been developed by a special hydroponic method. It grew so big that its branches covered a 14-squaremeter trellis and produced 13,312 tomatoes, which must be a world record. That tomato plant certainly was "prolific", which means to produce abundantly. In the Bible, water is a symbol of God's Holy Spirit and Christians, rooted in that spiritual water, should be prolific producers of good deeds, which, according to Ephesians 2:10, we were created to be. (1674)
Foreigners and Japanese on trips (85/09/20)
There is much discussion these days between Japanese and American officials relating to the friction caused by the great trade imbalance between the 2 countries. Japan exports much more to the United States than it imports and the U. S. Congress will probably pass a bill soon to express its dissatisfaction with the present situation. However, Japan is also "exporting" more tourists to the United States than it is "importing" so it would probably help to include the money spent by tourists in the import-export balance sheets. This week the Justice Ministry issued a report regarding the number of foreign visitors to Japan and the number of Japanese making trips abroad between January and June of this year. According to those statistics, 225,700 Americans visited Japan, while the number of Japanese visiting the U. S. was 810,400, over 3 1/2 times the number of Americans visiting Japan. A record total of over 1 million foreigners visited Japan during that period and 2.4 million Japanese made trips abroad. Both in foreign trade between countries or in personal relationships between individuals, trying to be fair and to keep things well-balanced is important. (1675)
Learning the national anthem (85/09/21)
In Japanese newspaper articles, many words are written in katakana, having come from English or another western language. If all such words were cut out, that paper would become holey indeed, even though it was not a religious paper. Japanese young people especially like to use foreign expressions, which have an exotic appeal. France is faced with the same phenomenon, but the French government periodically tries to preserve the purity of the French language by damming the flood of English words entering the country with American and British movies, music and technology, for the French are very proud of their language--once considered the international language of diplomacy. In a further effort to preserve traditional French culture, the education minister has recently ruled that all French schoolchildren must learn the national anthem by heart. This reminds us of the Japanese Education Ministry instructing schools to sing the national anthem at ceremonies. However, there is an interesting difference. The French education minister is a leader of the left-wing of the Socialist Party. It is natural for governments to encourage patriotism and respect for tradition, but there is always the danger of going to extremes. While respecting national traditions, we must realize we are all part of the same human family.(1676)
Thinking one is wise (85/09/22)
According to the Old Testament history of the Jews, only 3 kings ruled over a united kingdom, before it was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. The names of those 3 kings were Saul, David and Solomon. King Solomon was said to be the wisest man of his day. A wise person today may be referred to as a solomon and a very wise decision may be called solomonic. The title of an Old Testament book, as given in its first verse, is "The proverbs of Solomon, son of David and king of Israel". According to an English proverb, "Solomon made a book of proverbs, but a book of proverbs never made a Solomon". My sermon today is taken from the 3rd chapter of the book of Proverbs, where it is written: "Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are". It is our human tendency to rely on our own power and intelligence, but the Bible teaches that we must recognize our weakness and rely on God, putting him at the center of our lives in order to find true happiness and salvation. Shakespeare wrote, "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool". A characteristic of the truly wise person is humility. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Autumn Equinox (85/09/23)
Today, September 23rd, is a Japanese holiday. Officially called "Autumn Division Day" or the autumnal equinox, many people refer to it as higan, meaning the other shore, because on this day the sun sets directly in the west, the direction of Amida's paradise. For Christians, the only direction of heaven is "up", but really, heaven is where God is, and the person who knows God already has a taste of heaven here on earth. I hope the Japanese saying that "heat and cold last until higan" proves true this year for we have had an especially long summer. Some people consider autumn a sad and melancholy season, but it is a beautiful, fruitful and invigorating time. How we react to a certain season depends more on our state of mind than on the weather or other external conditions. Tomorrow evening at 6:30 at the City Kyōikukan, we will hold our fortnightly Bible Class in Japanese and English and next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 a meeting of listeners to these messages will be held at the City Geijutsu Sōzo Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. Our guest speaker will be the popular newscaster on the Channel 1 Evening News, Mr. Westswamp.
Devil's Tower (85/09/24)
The word "monument" usually refers to a structure of some kind erected as a memorial. The 180 meter tall Washington Monument in Washington, D. C. is an example of this kind of monument. However, "monument" can have another meaning. It can refer to a natural site of particular beauty or historical interest that has been designated worthy of preservation. In the United States, national parks must be established by Congress, but national monuments may be designated by the President. Yellowstone Park, in northwestern Wyoming, was the first national park, established by Congress in 1872. On September 24, 1906, 79 years ago today, the first national monument was created by President Theodore Roosevelt. It is a volcanic rock tower, 265 meters high, in northeastern Wyoming called Devil's Tower. We can be thankful that, no matter how high the devil's tower is, the throne of God is higher yet. On Sunday afternoon, we will hold a meeting of "Daily Word" listeners at the Geijutsu Sōzō Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station, beginning at 1:30. Mr. Westmarsh, the popular newscaster on Channel l's Evening News, will be our guest speaker. (1679)
Scapegoat (85/09/25)
Do you know what a "scapegoat" is? It refers to a person who bears the blame for another. When some people make a mistake or commit a crime, they try to find a scapegoat to save their face or their own skin. The word, a combination of escape and goat, comes from the solemn ritual recorded in the 16th chapter of the Old Testament book of Leviticus. On the Jewish Day of Atonement, the sins of the people were confessed over the head of a goat, which was allowed to escape into the wilderness as a symbol of their sins being taken away. That goat was called a scapegoat. The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, the last of the 10 penitential days which mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Today is Yom Kippur this year and, for pious Jews, it is a day of prayer and fasting to obtain forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God through sincere repentance. At the "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting on this coming Sunday afternoon, there is no special theme for discussion, but you may have questions about television newscasting to ask our guest speaker, who you may see on the Evening News of Tokai Television. The meeting will be held at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Senta- beginning at 1:30 and we hope to see you there. (1680)
Yemen Arab Republic (85/09/26)
Have you ever heard of the Queen of Sheba? The story of that Queen coming to visit King Solomon and bringing him precious gifts is found in the Old Testament book of First Kings, chapter 10. Because of this story, an attractive, flirtatious woman is sometimes called a "sheba" even today. The ancient land of Sheba, located on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, was later ruled by the Turks, but after World War I, it became an independent monarchy. On September 26, 1962, 23 years ago today, it was declared a republic, so today is the national holiday of the Yemen Arab Republic. The Yemenis claim to have built the world's first skyscraper, a 20-story palace at Sana, 2000 years ago. On the 5th Sundays of the month, it is our custom to hold meetings of listeners to these "Daily Word" telephone messages. The 19th such meeting, commemorating the 5th year of this service, will be held on Sunday at 1:30 at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. Guest speaker, who is also a listener, will be the popular newscaster of Channel I's Evening News. The 13th issue of "Daily Word" Echoes will also be available. I hope you can attend. (1681)
American Indian Day (85/09/27)
Christopher Columbus was a brave man. Confident that he could reach India by sailing west from Spain, he started across the Atlantic Ocean. Two months later when he sighted land, he was sure he had succeeded and called the natives of that island "Indians". However, he was mistaken. He had not reached India. He had landed on an island in the Bahamas. From his mistaken identification, the natives of the North and South American continents are even now referred to as Indians. To distinguish them from the Indians of India, they are called American Indians. Unfortunately, the attitude shown toward these earlier residents by many European explorers and colonists was detestable. In fact, down to the present time, the treatment of American Indians in the United States has been shameful. In order to recognize and honor these Native Americans and to call attention to their present situation, many states have designated this 4th Friday of September as American Indian Day. It is unfortunate that many people still judge others on the basis of ethnic background. I hope you can attend our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting on Sunday afternoon at the Geijutsu Sōzō Senta-, beginning at 1:30. The Tokai Television newscaster, Mr. Westvalley, will be our guest speaker.(1682)
Confucius (85/09/28)
Today is a holiday in the Republic of China, which controls the island of Taiwan. It is in honor of the man who was probably the most influential person in Chinese history. Do you know his name? In Chinese, he is known as K'ung Fu-tse. In Japanese, he is called Koshi, and in English, we call him Confucius. Although few details of Confucius' life are known for sure, he is thought to have been born about 551 B.C. He became distressed by the constant warfare between Chinese states and by the venality and tyranny of their rulers. He advocated a system of morality in both government and society that would promote peace and stability. He gathered disciples around him who perpetuated his teachings which are now known as Confucianism. Confucian ethics continue to be a dominant factor in Japanese society also. Confucius said: "The real fault is to have faults and not to amend them". I hope you can attend the "Daily Word" listeners' meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. If you have some questions about TV newscasting, I'm sure our guest speaker, Mr. Westdale, of Channe11's Evening News, would be happy to answer them.
Labor Day (85/09/02)
Listeners' meeting (85/09/03)
Los Angeles (85/09/04)
Nagoya's tallest building (85/09/05)
Jane Addams (85/09/06)
Taking off one's shoes (85/09/07)
Doing what is right (85/09/08)
Slip of the tongue (85/09/09)
Colors (85/09/10)
Lemon (85/09/11)
Bats made by Mizuno (85/09/12)
Superstitions (85/09/13)
Assassination (85/09/14)
Respect for the Aged Day (85/09/15)
Jewish New Year (85/09/16)
The Titanic (85/09/17)
Tsukuba Expo '85 (85/09/18)
Hydroponic tomato (85/09/19)
Foreigners and Japanese on trips (85/09/20)
Learning the national anthem (85/09/21)
Thinking one is wise (85/09/22)
Autumn Equinox (85/09/23)
Devil's Tower (85/09/24)
Scapegoat (85/09/25)
Yemen Arab Republic (85/09/26)
American Indian Day (85/09/27)
Confucius (85/09/28)
Watch and pray (85/09/29)
Listeners' meeting (85/09/30)
Miracles (85/09/01)