Switzerland (86/08/01)
A canton is a small territorial division of a country. Switzerland is actually a federation of 23 cantons and the official name of the country is Swiss Confederation. 695 years ago today, on August 1st, 1291, three communities, one of which was called Schwyz [shvets], banded together to defend themselves against foreign intrusion. In commemoration of that event, today is a national holiday in Switzerland called Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation. Under the federal constitution, adopted in 1874, the confederation is responsible for foreign relations and tariffs, but the individual cantons are sovereign in other matters. Switzerland is famous for the breathtaking beauty of its Alps. It is a world banking center. Being a neutral country, it is a favorite place for international conferences and for headquarters of international organizations. The Swiss flag has a white cross on a red field. For its symbol, the Red Cross chose the same pattern, but with the colors reversed, in honor of the Swiss man who founded that organization. Thus, that emblem does not have a religious significance although the activities of the Red Cross are in keeping with the spirit of Christ.
August (86/08/02)
You probably know that the English names of the months of September, October, November and December are derived from the Latin words for seven, eight, nine and ten, a1though in our present ca1endar they are the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth months of the year. In the ancient. Roman calendar, this month of August was originally called Sextilis, from the Latin word for six. In 27 B.C., the name of the month was changed to Augustus, in honor of the first Roman emperor. Seventeen years earlier, the name of the preceding month had been changed from Quintillis to Julius, in honor of Julius Caesar. Because Augustus did not want his month to have fewer days than that of Julius, an extra day was added to give it 31 days also. The name of this month is pronounced Áugust, but the adjective, which is spelled the same and means majestic, venerable, inspiring awe or admiration is pronounced augúst. The old Anglo-Saxon name for this month was "weed month", for this is the month when weeds flourish. The American poet, James Russell Lowell, has written that "A weed is no more than a flower in disguise, Which is seen through at once, if love give a man eyes."
Peace (86/08/03)
During this first half of August, there are a number of unhappy anniversary days in Japanese history. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Russia's declaration of war and the Japanese surrender all occurred during this period 41 years ago. After that, Japan began anew as a nation dedicated to peace. In Japanese churches, this first Sunday of August is designated "Peace Sunday". Peace is a very elusive quality. There have been very few periods in recorded history when all nations have been at peace with each other. Winston Churchill once told a parable of why disarmament conferences fail. When the animals in the zoo held such a conference, the rhinoceros proposed that the use of teeth should be prohibited but that horns should be allowed, since they were merely defensive weapons. The buffalo and deer agreed with him. The lion and tiger, however, defended teeth and even claws as honorable weapons. The bear thought both horns and teeth should be banned, but suggested a fraternal hug should be permitted. As long as efforts for peace are so self-centered, they will fail. Jesus taught that the way to true peace is the way of self-surrender, considering god's will and the good of others--including one's enemies.
Where alcohol is disposed of in Kuwait (86/08/04)
In strict Muslim countries, alcoholic beverages are prohibited, but people try to bring them into the country anyway. What do you suppose is done with the liquor that is confiscated by the authorities? In Kuwait, there is a place in the sandy desert, some 15 kilometers north of Kuwait City, where such spirits are disposed of. One day last spring, Kuwaiti Interior Ministry officials loaded nine trucks with 100,000 bottles of booze worth some $7,000,000, which had been confiscated by customs authorities over the previous 15 months. They were taken to the designated area, laid out on the sand and then crushed by bulldozers that ran over them as the sweet smell of alcohol permeated the area. According to Ephesians, Chapter 5, verse 2, the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross for others was a kind of sweet-smelling offering to God.
China (86/08/05)
My wife and 1 have just returned from a 9-day trip to China. Although the weather was hot, it was usually fair. We visited the cities of Shanghai, Xian and Beijing and enjoyed viewing both historic and present-day attractions there. In future messages, I will relate some experiences and share a few impressions received during that trip. China has ancient links with Japan. Much of Japanese culture and many traditional customs along with its written language came from China. In many ways, the China of today is very different than the China of centuries ago, but there is also much that remains the same. What is your opinion regarding China and its relationship to Japan, both in the past and in the presents? What do you consider the greatest ways in which Japan has been influenced by China? What do you think about the future relationships between these two important oriental countries? China is the final subject for essays to be included in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes, which will be on sale at the Listeners' Meeting, on Sunday afternoon, August 31st, at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center. Please send your essays to reach me by next Tuesday, August 12th. This is "Dai1y Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
China and Japan (86/08/06)
41 years ago today, the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb. This event hastened the end of the war with the United States and its allies. During our visit to China last week, we realized that the war in China lasted much longer. Ten years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan began its conquest of China. Following the end of the Pacific War, fighting continued there between Nationalists and Communists. Even after the Communist victory, conflict continued throughout the so-called "Cultural Revolution" which only ended some ten years ago. Consequently, China is far behind Japan in its postwar reconstruction. During our visit, we were reminded of Japan 20-30 years ago, In the taxi from Beijing airport to our hotel, our guide told us that a Chinese team had recently beaten a Japanese team in soccer, following which many people showed hostility toward the Japanese players because of Japanese cruelty during the war. Although Japan suffered a cruel atomic bombing and lost the war, in many ways it has fared better than China, which was one of the victor nations. Japan's indebtedness to the Chinese people is very great and should not be forgotten now that Japan has become so prosperous.
Nose (86/08/07)
My Japanese almanac indicates that today, August 7th, is "Nose Day". You probably didn't know that, did you? Just as the third day of the third month, is designated "Ear Day" because the combination of the two threes can be pronounced mimi, meaning "ear", so this seventh day of the eighth month is designated "Nose Day" because the first syllables of those two numbers can be pronounced hana, meaning "nose". These designations were made by a medical association of otorhinolaryngologists, who are doctors specializing in diseases of the ear, nose and throat. The Chinese character for "nose" is made up of two halves. The upper half was originally the sketch of a nose and under it is a character meaning to stick out. I wonder if the Chinese who invented that character was thinking of westerners, for I noticed in the old Chinese art I saw last week in China that foreigners from the west were clearly distinguishable by their prominent noses. Among Jewish people, a large nose seemed to be considered a mark of beauty, for in the Old Testament Song of Solomon, chapter 7, verse 8, the nose of one's lover was said to be as lovely as the tower of Lebanon, a high mountain, and in Leviticus 21:8, the person with a flat nose was considered deformed.
China today and ancient (86/08/08)
Today, I will share a few impressions of China which my wife and I received during our recent visit there. First, we were impressed with the wide, clean streets in the major cities, the few motor vehicles and the many bicycles. Since there are very few privately-owned cars, most motor vehicles are buses, trucks and taxis. We were surprised to see how bicycles and cars intermingled so freely without colliding. Second, we noticed the more relaxed pace of life than in Japan. It is probably related both to national character and social system, but we observed that Chinese people at work in factories, stores and restaurants were not so industrious and the service was poorer than in Japan. Of course, under the socialist system, people get paid and remain employed regardless of how they work. Third, we were impressed with the ancient history of the country. As we climbed the Great Wall, dating from the 5th century B.C., visited sites and viewed objects thousands of years old, we were reminded of China's ancient civi1ization. We are now better able to understand Japanese culture, which has been greatly influenced by China and we also appreciate the easier life and more modern conveniences we enjoy in this land. Foreign travel should promote a deeper understanding both of others and of ourselves.
Singapore (86/08/09)
The Japanese flag is one of 14 national flags that is just red and white. Seven of those flags have red and white stripes. Three flags contain the symbol of a cross. Japan's hinomaru symbolizes the sun and three others contain a crescent and one or more stars which are also symbols of light. The national flag of Singapore is included in this group. It is made up of two horizontal stripes. In the upper, red stripe are a white crescent and five white stars. Today is Independence Day in Singapore. 21 years ago today, this island city withdrew from Malaysia and became an independent republic. It is one of the smallest nations in the world, with an area of 581 square kilometers and a population of some 2,600,000. 74% of the population are ethnic Chinese, followed by l4% who are Malay. Singapore is one of the world's major ports and has the highest standard of living in Asia after Japan. It is a small country, but an important one. In the second chapter of the New Testament book of James, we are reminded that the tongue is a very small but important member of our bodies, which can be used for good or for evil. What use do we make of our tongues?
Christian church in Shanghai (86/08/10)
Two weeks ago today, my wife and I were in Shanghai, China. We were scheduled to take a tour with a few other people from our hotel at 9:00 o'clock in the morning. However, we had found out that there was a Christian Church not far from the hotel that held two worship services on Sunday morning at 7:30 and at 10:00, so we decided to attend the early service. The church building, which had been built in 1920, was almost filled with some 700 worshippers. We recognized the tunes of the hymns that were sung by the congregation and the choir. There was a woman preacher at that service and the Chinese lady who sat next to us spoke some English, so she was able to interpret the gist of the sermon for us. The sermon text was from the 13th chapter of Luke, regarding Jesus' parable of a fig tree that didn't bear fruit. The landowner wanted to cut the unfruitfu1 tree down, but the gardener advised waiting another year to see if it would bear fruit. The preacher emphasized that we should learn from this parable to bear good fruit in our lives--the fruit of loving deeds and humble service --like Jesus did, otherwise, we may be judged by God. Although we could not understand the language at that service, we felt at home there and sensed a common spirit with the people we met.
Koshien (86/08/11)
The traditional Japanese calendar was one of many early imports from China. According to this calendar, there are ten kan, or stems, and twelve shi, or branches. These "stems" and "branches" are joined into 60 different combinations, called kan-shi, or eto. The first combination in this sexagenary cycle is made up of two Chinese characters pronounced koshi. In my Japanese dictionary, there are 40 different words listed under this pronunciation! If the Chinese character for "garden" is added to this particular koshi, the result is koshien, which is the name of a district in the city of Nishinomiya where a famous baseball stadium is located. The 68th All Japan High School Baseball Tournament is now taking place in that stadium, so the eyes of the country are focussed on that place. Life may be compared to a game in which we must have faith and do our best.
Lawn mowing (86/08/12)
One of the characteristic features of a traditional Japanese home is the small garden attached to it, which requires periodic attention. Many American homes have a large grass lawn which must be kept mowed during the summertime. It takes much time to mow the large lawns, either with a hand-pushed lawn mower or with a power mower. Now, a Canadian university professor is perfecting a new kind of slow-growing grass which, he says, may make family lawn mowers obsolete. He has developed several varieties of grass that need to be mowed only once a year and are said to be resistant to drought and disease and require no fertilizer. This new kind of grass also produces a herbicide which kills weeds. Further south, in Dallas, Texas, the 25 hectare lawn surrounding a water purification plant used to require mowing twice a month by seven men using a number of mowers. Last month, a new, cheaper method of lawn cutting was introduced. The plant now has a herd of seven goats grazing on that land, which keeps the grass looking neat. In Matthew, chapter 6, verse 30, Jesus taught that God, who cares for the grass of the field, will certainly take care of us, his children.
It's a small world (86/08/13)
Two weeks ago today, my wife and I had an interesting experience in Beijing, China. We were with a tour group on our way to the Great Wall. We had stopped to view the Ming Tombs and were having lunch with other group members at a hotel restaurant. At our table, there was an older woman, her daughter and her daughter's two children. They were from Columbia, South America and were staying at the Columbian Embassy in Beijing, since the ambassador was a relative of theirs. At the small university my wife and I attended in the state of Iowa we were friends of a student from Columbia, so I mentioned his name to them. Can you imagine? He was a relative of theirs! They told me I could receive more recent information about him if I called the ambassador, who knew him better. So that evening, 1 spoke on the telephone with the Columbian ambassador to China, who told me about his second cousin, who was our school friend almost 40 years ago. He assured me he would relay our greetings to him when he returned to Columbia later this year. After such an experience, it is common to use the English expression: "It is a small world!" I wonder, was this a chance meeting or was it the providence of God? Maybe we'll find out later.
Memories of JAL crash last year (86/08/14)
As I read the newspaper accounts of the memorial services and other activities connected with the Japan Air Lines plane crash last year in Gumma Prefecture, I was reminded again of the peculiar Japanese attitude toward the spirits of the dead which is particularly evident during this obon season. Japanese people seem to have a strong feeling of identification between a physical location and the dead spirit. Some relatives of those who were killed felt it important to go to the actual site of the crash on the very anniversary day to express their sorrow. Some people carried photographs of those who lost their lives there. Flowers and even some favorite articles of the departed were deposited at the site, while relatives called out the names of their loved ones. Likewise, during this season, spirits of the dead are considered to visit their old homes and their presence is recognized in quite concrete ways. In my tradition, there is no comparable feeling of a certain place or time when the spirit of departed loved ones is more present than at other times. Also, my sense of the presence of God, my heavenly Father, is not limited to certain special days or seasons, but is with me at all times and in all places.
Remembering August 15 (86/08/15)
One of the mysterious characteristics of the human mind is the ability to vividly remember past events. Some memories are happy and beautiful. Others are sad and ugly. It is up to us which kind of memories we will cherish. Some people constantly recall the failures of others or of themselves, while others enjoy remembering successes. August is a month of memories to those Japanese who were living over forty years ago. Americans also have their memories of that time. In America, we consider August 14th as the final day of the Pacific War, for on that day the Japanese government accepted the Potsdam Declaration and officially surrendered. But it was on August 15th that the Emperor broadcast the sad news to the Japanese nation, so today is considered the day the war ended in Japan. Whichever day is commemorated, both countries should continue to make concerted efforts to avoid such conflicts in the future. As we look at the past, we should also be thankful for the years of peace and progress that have continued since the end of the war. On the last day of this month, we will hold another meeting of listeners to these daily telephone messages. The theme for our talks at that meeting will be: September. What memories, hopes or impressions does that month hold for you?
Dog Days (86/08/16)
During our recent visit to China, the weather was fine, but quite hot. On some days, the temperature rose to 38 degrees. However, since the humidity was not so high, we didn't feel as hot as we do these days in Nagoya. These hot, sultry, summer days are sometimes called "dog days" in English. This expression comes from ancient times in the Mediterranean region where these days coincided with the rising of the so-called Dog Star, or Sirius. Since this season was also associated with disease and discomfort, "dog days" is a1so used to refer to a generally dull period that shows no progress. Governments, businesses, churches or other organizations may experience "dog days" at times. In the Bib1e, dogs are usually considered in a negative way, as unclean and unfriendly animals. Calling a person a "dog" was a contemptible insult. However, the pessimistic writer of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiates stated in chapter 9, verse 4, that "Anyone who is alive in the world of the living has some hope; a live dog is better off than a dead lion." In China, we saw very few dogs. It may be that people have no place to keep a dog. Then, again, there may be another reason.
A church retreat (86/08/17)
It is the custom of our little church in the city of Takahama to go on a church retreat during the summer. Often, we choose the obon season for our retreat. Last week, a group from our church fami1y went to Mikawa Miya where we spent a couple of enjoyable days together--talking, listening, thinking, singing, praying, eating, and so on. The theme of the retreat was "Church Life" and the aim was to develop a healthier, more mature church. Such retreats are good, but the problem is how to put fine theories into actual practice. My sermon text for today is taken from the 4th chapter of Ephesians, where it is noted that we need to put into practice what we learned of Christ. We need to change old ways of thinking and acting and be renewed. Our "hearts and minds must be made completely new" and we must put on a "new self, which is created in God's likeness". At the heart of the Christian message is the call to reflect on one's imperfect past, to be changed through faith in God and to begin a new life, following his will. As the hot, summer season approaches its end, it is a good time to reflect upon our lives and to renew our spirits. September is a good month in which to make a fresh beginning.
"A rolling stone gathers no moss" (86/08/18)
The small, green, nonflowering plant that grows in mats on moist ground and rocks is called moss. Some Japanese gardens have areas of pretty moss. In Kyoto, the garden of the Saihōji Temple is famous for its large expanse of many kinds of beautiful moss. You have probably heard the English proverb that "A rolling stone gathers no moss". In this proverb, do you think moss is a desirable or an undesirable element? In America, we give moss a negative meaning and consider this proverb to mean that an active person doesn't become weighed down with burdens that slow him down. In Japan, where moss is considered good, this proverb is interpreted to mean that a person who never stays long in one place will never succeed nor form long-lasting relationships. When speaking with foreigners, we need to remember that certain expressions may convey quite different meanings.
The name of Brunei's ambassador to the U.N. (86/08/19)
The Asian island of Borneo is the third largest island in the world. Most of the island belongs to Indonesia, but its northern area is part of Malaysia. Within this Malaysian part is a small, separate area which is the independent country of Brunei. Two years ago, Brunei became the 159th member of the United Nations. Although it is the newest member and one of the smallest, last week it established a new record in the history of the U. N. when its ambassador presented his credentials, for his name is the longest one in the diplomatic directory. It is Awang Ahmad bin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Awang Haji Mohn, Yussof. That's a real mouthful and I hope no one has to call the ambassador by his full name very quickly. Although Japanese only have one given name, sometimes, when we read the name, we are not sure how to pronounce it, or if we hear the name, we are not sure of how to write it and, at times, we are not sure if it is the name of a man or a woman. In Proverbs 22:1, it is written that "A good name is more to be desired than great riches". In this verse, "name" refers to one's reputation. What kind of a name do we have?
Handel's Messiah (86/08/20)
An oratorio is a musical composition, usually on a sacred theme, which employs a chorus, orchestra and soloists but is without stage action or scenery. The great oratorio associated with the Christmas season is Handel's Messiah. This amazing musical arrangement was composed by George Frederick Handel during an impulsive three-week period in 1741. Handel was born in Germany. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, but he showed such musical talent that he was permitted to follow a musical career. He composed many operas and oratorios during his lifetime, the latter two-thirds of which was spent in England. It was on this day, August 20th, that Handel received a request from a poet to write some music for his poetry. Handel's vitality had not yet completely returned following the stroke he had suffered four years earlier, but from this day on, under a strange kind of inspiration, he confined himself to his room as words and music seemed to pour out of his soul until the great composition was completed. This oratorio begins with the prophetic announcement of the Messianic Age, but focusses on the birth, suffering, death and resurrection of the Messiah. It may be considered a good example of what is called "inspiration".
President Reagan's war against drugs (86/08/21)
A drug is a chemical substance that can be used as a medicine to cure a disease. However, narcotic drugs can be very harmful to one's health. Drug addiction has become a major problem in the United States. President Reagan is insisting that government workers be tested to determine whether or not they are using drugs. He is also trying to seal the national borders against drugs being illegally imported from other countries. Beginning next month, a school district in Texas will require a drug test for all students in grades 6 through 12 who want to participate in school clubs or other extracurricular activities. Last week, a thirteen-year-old girl in Los Angeles attended a police lecture against drug abuse at church. Afterward, she went home, gathered up small amounts of the marijuana and cocaine which her parents use and took them to the police. The next day, her parents were arrested and charged with possessing illegal drugs. President Reagan's wife, Nancy, who is a leader in the war on drugs, said the girl must have loved her parents very much. Sometimes, love is seen in ways that appear to be harsh or even cruel, and this is also true regarding God's love toward his children.
Hershey chocolate (86/08/22)
About 20 kilometers east of the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg there is a town called Hershey. People who have sweet tooth will probably recognize the name "Hershey". A "sweet tooth" refers to a liking or craving for candy and sweet food and "Hershey" is the name of the major chocolate candy manufacturer in the United States. The Hershey company was founded by Milton Hershey, who was born in 1857, and this town that grew up around his candy factory is called by his name. In fact, the occupations of about 80% of the 50,000 residents of Hershey, Pennsylvania are related to candy manufacturing. The atmosphere of the town is permeated by an aroma that will please the nose of a sweet tooth and make his or her mouth water. It is said that 70% of the chocolate products sold in the United States are manufactured by the Hershey corporation. I am told that, during the Occupation, American GI's made friends with Japanese children by giving them Hershey chocolate bars. These days, people are concerned about cutting down on sweets, but in the 16th chapter of Proverbs, verse 24, we find these meaningful words. "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your hea1th."
Miss Farmer's School of Cookery (86/08/23)
When my wife and I came to Japan 35 years ago, one of the luxuries we missed was tasty chocolate candy. Sometimes our parents sent us a box of delicious "Fannie Farmer Chocolates". Fannie Farmer was born in Boston in 1857. Because of ill health, she was not able to go to college. Instead, she turned to cooking and graduated from the Boston Cooking School. Later, she became the director of that school, but on August 23, 1902, 84 years ago today, she opened her own Miss Farmer's School of Cookery. Her aim was to teach cooking to housewives and nurses rather than to teachers. She has been called the "Mother of Level Measurements" because of her insistence that recipes be strictly followed. Until that time, accurate measurements were not used in cooking, so she made a lasting contribution to cookery and is considered an authority on the subject. The expression, "half-baked", refers to ideas or plans that have not been thought out thoroughly and thus are not practical. In Hosea 7:8, the people of Israel are referred to as a "half-baked cake" because their faith in God was only half-hearted and their daily lives did not evidence the faith they professed. That may be true of many of us today also.
Comfort (86/08/24)
I am interested in etymology, which is the study of the origin and development of words. I enjoy finding out how and why certain words came to have certain meanings. Take the English word "comfort", for example. It comes from a Latin word meaning "to strengthen". The Chinese character for "comfort", pronounced nagusame in Japanese, contains the character for "heart" over which is the additional character of a hand with a hot iron used in pressing cloth. The full character indicates sharing a warm heart with another. The Greek word for "comfort" is made up of two parts literally meaning to call alongside. To comfort another is to give encouragement by standing beside the discouraged one. My sermon this morning is taken from the first chapter of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians, where he speaks of the merciful Father and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. A healthy faith in the "merciful Father" brings comfort to the sad or discouraged. The person who is comforted also has a responsibility to comfort others in their troubles and to share with them the comfort which has been received from God. So it is that the Christian should be a transmitter of God's blessings to others.
Tanegashima (86/08/25)
The small island of Tanegashima lies south of the large island of Kyushu. This island is famous in Japanese history as the first place in Japan to be visited by Europeans. On this 25th day of the 8th month in the year 1543, three Portuguese sailors landed on that island when their Chinese boat was blown off course in a typhoon. The firearms, called muskets, which they carried caused great excitement among their rescuers and for a long time after that such muskets were called tanegashima in Japanese. Japan's space center is now located on that island where firearms were introduced into this country, but I hope it will always be used for peaceful purposes. Next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, we will hold a meeting of listeners to these telephone messages. You are invited to attend.
Lick (86/08/26)
The verb to "lick" basically means to pass the tongue over the surface of something. Children may lick a lollipop of ice cream cone. Many animals lick their offspring immediately after they are born. Cats keep clean by licking themselves. When they are in a hurry, they lick very quickly, seemingly with a promise to do a better job later. It was from viewing such a sight that the English expression "lick and a promise" was coined. It means to do something very perfunctory, "once over lightly". A housewife who cleans a room very quickly gives it a "lick and a promise". Another meaning of "lick" is to spank a child as a kind of punishment. Traditionally, it has been the father's job to give his children a licking when it was needed. In competitive sports, to "lick" means to defeat one's opponent. In the New Testament, "lick" is used only once. In one of his parables, Jesus pictured the pitiable state of the poor beggar, Lazarus, by noting, in Luke 16:21, that "even the dogs would come and lick his sores". Next Sunday afternoon at 1:30, we will hold a meeting of listeners to these "Daily Word" telephone messages at City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shin-sakaemachi subway station. My wife and I would be happy to meet you there.
Debate of Abraham Lincoln (86/08/27)
The Japan Social Party is now in the midst of an election campaign to choose its new chairperson. It has been proposed that a series of open debates take place between the two candidates, Takako Doi and Tetsu Ueda. In American political history, open debates between candidates for office have had important consequences. In fact, just 138 years ago today, on August 27, 1858, a crucial debate took place in the city of Freeport, Illinois between two candidates for the U. S. Senate. The short, stocky Democratic candidate was Stephen Douglas and the lanky Republican candidate was Abraham Lincoln. In this debate, Lincoln forced a statement from Douglas about slavery that caused him trouble within his own party. Although Douglas won the election for senator, two years later, Lincoln bested Douglas in the election for president. Sometimes, in a debate, the attitudes communicated by the participants are more important than their logic. We hope you can attend the meeting of listeners to these telephone messages on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 1:30, at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. The subject for discussion is: September. This is: "Dai1y Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Poison (86/08/28)
The name of the west-central African country of Cameroon comes from the Portuguese word for "shrimp" because many shrimp were found in a river there by early navigators. News stories indicate that over 1500 people have died recently in Cameroon because of a toxic gas that escaped from the earth. The word "toxic" refers to something poisonous. To explain what is poisonous, however, is sometimes difficult because it depends on the dosage. For example, too much sugar can be toxic and a little arsenic can be a medical remedy. Both sodium and chlorine are poisonous if taken by themselves, but when they are combined as ordinary salt they become an important element in our diet. George Ade has written that "One man's poison ivy is another man's spinach." It is medically recognized that worry acts as a kind of poison in the body and Jesus taught, in Mark 7:20-23, that it is the evil thoughts and attitudes in people's hearts that make them unclean rather than the things that they eat. We must be careful not only about what we put into our mouths but what we receive into our minds as well. On Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at our "Daily Word" Listeners' Meeting at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center, you may receive something good for both body and mind. I hope you will join us there.
Oliver Wendell Holmes (86/08/29)
In American history, there are two important men with the same name of Oliver Wendell Holmes. Needless to say, they were father and son. The son became a famous justice on the Supreme Court. The father was a physician and medical school professor. However, he is better known as an author, poet and lecturer. The son of a minister, Oliver Wendell Homes, Sr. was born on August 29, 1809, 177 years ago today. He is responsible for one of the historical attractions of the city of Boston, an old American frigate now on display in the Naval Shipyard. This vessel, which had won a decisive victory in the War of 1812 against a British ship, has been preserved due to a poem he wrote, entitled "Old Ironsides", which stirred the nation to protest plans to scrap the famous ship. Dr. Holmes once said, "The great thing in this world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving." We hope you will be moving in the direction of the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center next Sunday afternoon a little before 1:30, for that's where listeners to these telephone messages will gather for a meeting and talk about "September". We'd like to hear your thoughts about this month as we enjoy some refreshments prepared by my wife.
August (86/08/02)
Peace (86/08/03)
Where alcohol is disposed of in Kuwait (86/08/04)
China (86/08/05)
China and Japan (86/08/06)
Nose (86/08/07)
China today and ancient (86/08/08)
Singapore (86/08/09)
Christian church in Shanghai (86/08/10)
Koshien (86/08/11)
Lawn mowing (86/08/12)
It's a small world (86/08/13)
Memories of JAL crash last year (86/08/14)
Remembering August 15 (86/08/15)
Dog Days (86/08/16)
A church retreat (86/08/17)
"A rolling stone gathers no moss" (86/08/18)
The name of Brunei's ambassador to the U.N. (86/08/19)
Handel's Messiah (86/08/20)
President Reagan's war against drugs (86/08/21)
Hershey chocolate (86/08/22)
Miss Farmer's School of Cookery (86/08/23)
Comfort (86/08/24)
Tanegashima (86/08/25)
Lick (86/08/26)
Debate of Abraham Lincoln (86/08/27)
Poison (86/08/28)
Oliver Wendell Holmes (86/08/29)
Languages in America (86/08/30)
Luther's hymn (86/08/31)
Switzerland (86/08/01)