Bible Class (88/09/01)
Internationalization has become a fashionable word in Japan these days. It is an especially worthy objective for Japanese people who are generally very conscious of their differences from other nationalities. Many Japanese consider Japan to be unique. It is, of course, but so are all the other countries of the world. In order to understand other nations, it is necessary to try to understand the traditions and beliefs that underlie their thinking and behavior. Needless to say, the writing which has been most influential in the thought and action of western countries is the Bible, which is actually a collection of many books written originally in Hebrew and Greek over a number of centuries. The Old and New Testaments, which I frequently quote in these messages, are the sacred writings, or scriptures, for Christians. For the benefit of those living in the Nagoya area, I teach a Bible Class at the Nagoya City Kyōikukan at Sakae on the first and third Tuesday evenings of the month. From 6:30 to 7:30, I give an explanation of a Bible passage in Japanese. From 7:30 to 8:30, we talk about the same passage in English. All who are interested are invited to attend. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463.(2671)
Sexual discrimination (88/09/02)
The Sunday Times, an influential English newspaper, has printed an editorial calling for changes in the law that gives a British monarch's sons precedence over daughters in succeeding to the throne. The conservative newspaper called the tradition of giving princes precedence over princesses "outdated". Queen Elizabeth II succeeded her father because she had no brothers. Her heir is her oldest son, Prince Charles, followed by his two sons, and the queen's younger sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, take precedence over their older sister, Princess Anne. The editorial maintained that the feelings of many people are offended by this discrimination on the basis of sex. As I read about this editorial, I thought of the situation in this country where sexual discrimination is more common than in England. Do you think the time will ever come when an Empress will be seated on the imperial throne of Japan or a woman will be elected as prime minister? If you have some thoughts about this subject, I would be happy to read them. I will correct essays sent to me and print them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. You may receive a copy of the current issue of the Echoes, if you send me ¥300 in stamps along with your request. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2672)
Qatar (88/09/03)
Have you ever heard the expression, "mind your p's and q's"? This advice is sometimes given by parents to their children when they go out with their friends. It means to watch your behavior, to be careful of your words and actions. The expression probably originated with writing teachers who advised beginning pupils to be careful when they wrote their "p's" and "q's", for these two letters are very similar, with only their loops reversed. In English words, a "q" is always followed by a "u" and the pronunciation is the same as a "k" followed by a "w", but foreign words may be written in English with a "q" which is not followed by a "u". In fact, a country's name begins with a "q" followed by an "a". This country is located on a small peninsula that sticks out into the Persian Gulf. Its name is Qatar, spelled Q-a-t-a-r and today is its national holiday, commemorating 17 years of independence. Qatar is about the size of Akita Prefecture and has a population of some 300,000. Its land is mostly barren, but underneath are large oil deposits. Externally, Qatar is not attractive, but it has a valuable resource below its surface. The same is true about certain people. How about you? What kind of beauty or value do you possess? (2673)
Tests (88/09/04)
One of the unpleasant facts of life for Japanese students is the so-called "examination hell" which they must go through in order to enter the university of their choice. Probably no one enjoys tests and although I have doubts about how helpful or necessary university entrance examinations are, tests and trials are a necessary part of life. They not only help us to measure our progress in certain areas but help us to mature as individuals and to develop our innate abilities. The Bible teaches that God also tests us in order to purify us and to make us better people. In Psalm 66:10, we read, "You have put us to the test, God; as silver is purified by fire so you have tested us." And in the first chapter of the New Testament Letter of James, we are told to consider ourselves fortunate when trials come our way because we know that the purpose of such trials is our own improvement. How we face the trials, troubles and disappointments we are certain to meet in life depends upon the faith we have. Faith in a loving, heavenly Father who is in control of the physical world, human history and our individual lives brings peace to the hearts of his believing children because they are assured that his will for them is best. (2674)
New Glarus (88/09/05)
Glarus is one of the 23 cantons of Switzerland. The capital of this canton is also called Glarus. In 1845, when a famine in Glarus caused many inhabitants to leave this area, 108 emigrants settled in the American territory of Wisconsin. The community established there was named New Glarus. Even today, most of the 1800 residents of this village are descendants of those original Swiss settlers. This first Monday of September is Labor Day in the United States and on this Labor Day weekend an Alpine festival is regularly held in New Glarus to commemorate its Swiss heritage. A Swiss drama is presented and Swiss singing and yodeling are featured. In some American communities, remembering ethnic roots is important. The Bible also teaches us to respect the memories of ancestors who have left us good examples to follow. For the past two years, I have spoken my Monday messages slowly. At our recent listeners meeting, a question was raised about whether or not slow speaking was helpful to the listener. What do you think about this? Has it been helpful to you or should it be discontinued? I would like to know your opinion. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2675)
"Daily Word" Echoes (88/09/06)
One of the so-called bullet trains on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line is named kodama, and a bullet train on the Tōhoku Line is called yamabiko. The Chinese characters behind these two words literally mean "tree spirit" and "mountain man", but both of them are translated into English as "echo". The reflected sound that returns to a speaker is called an echo. Sometimes these telephone messages produce a kind of echo in the form of comments or opinions on the part of listeners. I correct essays or letters sent to me and publish them in a little periodical called "Daily Word" Echoes. At our recent listeners' meeting, the 23rd issue of the Echoes was on sale. You may receive a copy by depositing ¥300 in the yūbin furikae kōza of Deiri- Wa-do, Nagoya 3-37078 and making your request in the tsūshinran on the reverse side of the form. I would be happy to receive an essay from you on any of the subjects treated in the messages or any comments you have regarding this telephone service. If you keep a copy for yourself, you can compare it with my corrected version in the next issue of the Echoes. My address is; "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2676)
Blackout (88/09/07)
The headline of a news article read: "Girl climbs pylon, causes blackout in Brazilian city". Can you understand its meaning? You probably know what a "blackout" is. During the war, blackouts occurred when lights were turned off to conceal an area during a night air raid. But blackouts also occur when electric power is cut off accidentally. Recently there was a blackout throughout the entire metropolitan area of Porte Alegre, one of Brazil's largest cities. The blackout was caused by a 12-year-old girl who was running away from a group of boys who were about to attack her. To escape from them, she climbed a 40-meter-high steel tower, called a pylon, which supports high-voltage wires. She grabbed one of the wires, carrying 230,000 volts of electricity, which caused the blackout. If she had made contact with another wire at the same time, she would have closed the circuit, been burned to a cinder and caused incalculable damage. Fortunately, she was not injured and was persuaded by firemen to climb back down. The blackout lasted from 7:00 to 8:30 in the evening, causing great confusion in that city with over a million inhabitants. Jesus called his disciples the "light of the world", but blackouts occur when their spiritual contact with God, the Source of light, is broken. (2677)
Guinea (88/09/08)
Only one of the 159 members of the United Nations has a hyphenated name: The name of its capital city is included in its name to distinguish it from a neighboring country with the same name. Located on the west coast of Africa, Guinea-Bissau is celebrating its independence Day today, commemorating its establishment as a sovereign nation on September 8, 1974. The national language of Guinea-Bissau is Portuguese. That of its neighbor, Guinea, is French. Another country further along the African coast is called Equatorial Guinea and its national language is Spanish. These languages identify previous colonial masters, but tribal languages are also spoken there. "Guinea" is the European form of a Berber phrase meaning "land of the black men". A Spanish explorer who thought natives on an island north of Australia resembled those in Africa called that island New Guinea. A former British gold coin was called a guinea and a pheasant-like bird native to Africa is called a guinea fowl. Guinea pigs are small rodents, but this word is also used of persons who are subjects for experimentation. Using people as guinea pigs without their consent is a violation of their basic human rights. (2678)
Tolstoy (88/09/09)
In traditional Chinese thought the odd numbers, l, 3, 5, 7, 9, are considered auspicious and related to the positive, or yō side of the onyōdō dualistic system. Since nine is the largest of these favorable digits, this ninth day of the ninth month is considered especially fortunate. Called chōyōno sekku, or double positive seasonal festival, it is a time for enjoying beautiful chrysanthemum flowers and eating rice with chestnuts in it. The great Russian novelist and philosopher, Count Leo Tolstoy, was born on this 9th day of September, 160 years ago. You may be acquainted with his great masterpieces, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. When Tolstoy was about fifty years old, he experienced a profound change in his thinking and values. From that time on, he emphasized the supremacy of Christian love, advocated pacifism and renounced his own wealth and social position. He wrote, "Life is a place of service, and in that service, one has to suffer a great deal that is hard to bear, but more often to experience a great deal of joy. But that joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness." (2679)
Pineapples (88/09/10)
Do you enjoy drinking pain jūsu? If you ordered this drink in America, the waiter or waitress would not understand what you wanted. He or she would be puzzled and wonder if you wanted the sap from a tree, for "pine" is the name of the tree called matsu in Japanese. Of course, pain jūsu is the peculiar Japanese abbreviated form of "pineapple juice". When the first Europeans discovered this fruit on a Caribbean island about 500 years ago, they thought it looked like the cone of a pine tree and tasted like sweet apples, so they called it a pineapple. Many people today associate pineapples with Hawaii, but this fruit was introduced there only about 200 years ago. Native to South America, pineapples were carried to Europe, introduced to China and the Philippines before arriving in the Hawaiian islands with Captain Cook near the end of the 18th century. Sir Walter Raleigh called the pineapple "the princess of fruits" and another writer added that "the King of Kings has put a crown upon its head which is like the essential mark of its royalty". There are different kinds of royalty and various kinds of crowns. According to Matthew 27:29, before Jesus was crucified, he was crowned with a crown made of thorny branches. (2680)
Temple (88/09/11)
Religious buildings for prayer or worship are designated by different words depending on the purpose of the building and the particular religion. Probably the most common word for such a structure is "temple", which signifies a place dedicated to the worship of a deity. We commonly refer to Buddhist and Hindu places of worship as temples. The place where a sacred object is enshrined may be called a "shrine", which is the common designation for Shinto places of worship. The place where Muslims worship is called a "mosque" and Christians gather to worship in "churches". Nowadays, Jewish believers meet in synagogues for instruction and fellowship, but until 70 A.D., when it was destroyed by the Romans, the center of Jewish worship was the temple in Jerusalem. The 84th Psalm is a poem expressing the joy of visiting the temple to worship God and imagining how wonderful it would be to live there and to sing praises to God always. As the Japanese lifestyle is changing, with both more money and more free time to spend, some people are seriously reconsidering their basic values--what is most important in life, that gives life meaning and makes it truly happy. The conclusion of the poet who wrote the 84th Psalm is this: "Almighty God, how happy are those who trust in you!" (2681)
Ethiopia (88/09/12)
The People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia came into existence following the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie 14 years ago today, on September12, 1974. That 82-year-old emperor, known as the "Lion of Judah", had ruled the Ethiopian empire for almost 58 years. Ten years later a Communist regime was formally proclaimed and last year a new constitution came into effect. Almost one-half of the population of Ethiopia is considered Eastern Orthodox Christian while about one third claims to be Muslim. Thus, there must be some kind of accommodation between such diverse elements in that land. The name "Ethiopia" comes from Greek words literally meaning "burnt faces", in reference to the dark skins of its inhabitants. Although the Old Testament teaches that the Jews were the chosen people of God, according to the words of the prophet Amos, in chapter 9, verse 7 of his book, Ethiopians and all other peoples of the world are also God's children, whom God loves and in whose histories God is working out his purpose. (2682)
STEP (88/09/13)
A step may indicate a part of a stair or a stage in a process. STEP is also the abbreviation of Society for Testing English Proficiency. Two months ago, a 7-year-old boy passed the third grade examination of STEP. Momotaro Takamori is a first grader in an elementary school in Okayama Prefecture. Usually, the English proficiency of middle school graduates is required to pass this examination, but Momotaro began learning English from infancy. His father, who operates English schools, began speaking in English to his infant son from the time he was born and played English nursery songs to put him to sleep. Momotaro grew up listening to cassettes of the Three Little Pigs, Snow White, Cinderella and other stories in English and was able to read English when he was four years old. He started preparing for the STEP exams last January by taking half-hour quizzes every day and a one-hour practice interview every week. Examinations are a way of testing a person's ability to remember or memorize, but they do not necessarily encourage a person to think independently or creatively. Although a child's mind is particularly receptive, persistent effort on the part of youth and adults will also produce a happy result. So don't you get discouraged! Keep stepping ahead at your own pace. (2683)
Ibis (88/09/14)
These days we find many "made-in-Japan" English words that would not be understood in English-speaking countries. There are also "made-in-Japan" Chinese characters that would not be recognized in China. One such character combines "year", or toshi, with "bird", or tori. Although this character is not often seen these days, it was concocted to identify the wading bird with a long curved bill and a crest on its head which is called a toki in Japanese. In English, this bird is called an "ibis", which was a sacred bird in ancient Egypt. Only two Japanese ibises are known to be alive in Japan today. A government program is aimed at preventing their extinction through artificial breeding with the closely related Chinese species. China is now loaning Japan a male ibis in the hope that offspring will be produced by mating it with a female Japanese ibis and has recently agreed to extend the loan for another year. Not only are there endangered species of animals but also of plants which need protection along with other natural features of our environment. Japan has traditionally had great respect for nature. It is too bad to see this respect decreasing due to selfish, shortsighted schemes of profiteers. (2684)
Respected heroes (88/09/15)
In living languages, the meaning, nuances and usage of words continue to change. 37 years ago, this 15th day of September was designated a Japanese holiday called toshiyori-no-hi. For the next 13 years, that was the name for this day set apart to honor senior citizens. Then, the official designation was changed to rōjin no hi; but since 1966, it has been called keirō no hi; or Respect for the Aged Day. Showing respect for older persons is a natural trait for thinking people. Recently the Japan Youth Research Institute published the results of a survey it had conducted among over 1000 high school students in Japan, China and the United States to find out who were their respected heroes. In both Japan and the United States, parents ranked highest on the scale of the teenagers' heroes, but in China, former premier Chou En-lai was the overwhelming favorite with the present Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in second place. Honoring father and mother is one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament and in Proverbs16:31, grey hair is called "a glorious crown". People with such a crown deserve our respect, but we should show respect not only on this special day but throughout the year. (2685)
Peter Falk (88/09/16)
If you enjoy watching evening television programs with English soundtracks, you must be acquainted with the astute police officer who wears an old coat, drives an old car and often appears to be only half-awake, the man called Lieutenant Columbo. You may also know that the actor who plays Columbo on television is Peter Falk. Today is the birthday of Mr. Falk, who was born in New York 61 years ago on September 16, 1927. The image of a police officer as seen in Falk's portrayal is quite different than the formal, well-dressed policeman in Japanese tradition. Fans of Lieutenant Columbo will also have noticed his glass eye. This was the result of an operation on a tumor that Falk had when he was only three years old. Despite his disability, Falk became an enthusiastic baseball player. It is said that during one game when the umpire made a questionable decision, Falk took out his glass eye and handed it to the umpire, saying, "Sir, you need this more than I do." Some people think of God as a kind of policeman or an umpire, but the image of God taught by Jesus Christ is that of a loving Father who sees all through eyes of love and makes no mistakes in his judgments. (2686)
Dry (88/09/17)
In the mid-western United States, this summer was very dry. As a result, farmers are suffering because of poor crops. In this case, "dry" refers to a lack of rain, but "dry" may have a different meaning. A recent news article referred to a "dry town" in the state of Illinois. In this case, "dry" did not mean a lack of rain. It referred to a prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages. 55 years ago, the United States repealed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution which had prohibited the manufacture and sale of such beverages, but some local governments continued to prohibit the selling of liquor within their own districts. One such village was New Windsor, Illinois, a small farming community, which now seems to be dying as many people are moving away. Some village officials propose permitting a respectable tavern in the village to keep it alive, so they are planning a referendum to decide whether their community will continue to be dry or whether it will become a "wet" village. I was raised in a "dry town" in that same state and am thankful for the high moral standards and healthy environment of my hometown. According to Ephesians 5:18, rather than getting drunk with wine, we should be filled with the Spirit. (2687)
Worship services (88/09/18)
The Jewish weekly day of rest, called the Sabbath, is the seventh day of the week. To observe the Sabbath and to keep it holy was one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament. However, the followers of Jesus Christ began meeting together on the first day of the week to commemorate his resurrection from the dead. Thus, Sunday has become the day when worship services are held in Christian churches throughout the world. The word "service", when used in a religious sense, may also mean "worship", for our worship is a way of serving God. Even humble service of other people may be considered a part of our worship. The word "worship" actually is derived from "worth" plus the suffix "ship", which refers to a quality, state or condition as in the word "scholarship". True worship is directed to that Person having supreme worth. The 4th chapter of The Revelation to John, which is the last book in the New Testament, ends with this song: "Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory, honour and power. For you created all things and by your will they were given existence and life." In the Christian belief, it is only God, our Creator, Savior and Giver of new life, who is truly worthy of worship in the deep sense of the word. We may respect, honor or venerate others, but true worship is given to God alone. (2688)
Internationalization (88/09/19)
Two weeks ago today, I gave a lecture to the student body of Kōnan Women's Junior College. The title of my lecture was: "Kokusaika no ha-to". When speaking in Japanese, I usually avoid using gairaigo, borrowed words of foreign origin, if there are Japanese words available with the same or very similar meanings. However, in this case I purposely used the word ha-to for two reasons. First, because of the dual meaning of the English word "heart". Secondly, I wanted to contrast it with another "Japanized" English word, ha-do. In my lecture, I emphasized that the heart, or essential element, in "internationalization" is not such ha-do, or "hardware" items, as computerized language laboratories, modern meeting halls or dormitories for foreign students. Rather the heart of internationalization is related to the heart of individuals. It is the attitude of accepting people who are different and showing them genuine respect despite their differences. It is the heart that shows no discrimination based on race, nationality, educational background, occupation or beliefs. I believe a basic change in thinking is required for traditional Japanese to become truly internationalized. Do you agree? (2689)
Hail, Hale (88/09/20)
Homonyms are words that have the same pronunciation and, at times, the same spellings, but have completely different meanings. There are four English homonyms pronounced hâl. One is a noun, two are verbs and the fourth is an adjective. There are two different ways to spell these words. Can you combine the correct spellings with their meanings? How do you spell the hail that falls from the sky on a stormy day? This hail is frozen rain or hardened snow and if the hailstones are large, they may cause injuries or serious damage. How do you spell the verb which means to greet a person or to call out in order to catch someone's attention? I may hail a friend I see on a street corner hailing a taxi. How do you spell the adjective which means healthy? It is found in the common expression, "hale and hearty", which refers to a person who is in good physical and mental condition. And finally, there is the verb meaning to compel to go. It is usually used for haling people to jail or to court; The first two words are spelled h-a-i-l and the last two are spelled h-a-l-e. Nathan Hale was an American Revolutionary hero whose famous words before being hanged were: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." (2690)
Olympic Games (88/09/21)
These days the eyes of the world are focused on Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where the Olympic Games are now being held. The young men and women from over 160 nations who have gathered there are the largest number of contestants from the largest number of countries ever to take part in the Olympics. Hopefully, these athletic events will serve to improve international understanding and friendship. Although the contestants are theoretically competing as individuals, in fact, the rivalry between nations is very strong and political influences encourage nationalistic feelings. Thus, the games may also be a place of international confrontation and a tempting target for publicity-seeking terrorists. Consequently, Korean security measures have been very strict to thwart any terrorist activity. In I Corinthians chapter 9, verse 25, the Apostle Paul wrote: "Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last for ever." He was speaking of the crown of eternal life which is the reward given by God to those who run according to the rules and who trust in him. (2691)
Michael Farady (88/09/22)
As a pastor, I sometimes have difficulty explaining religious or spiritual concepts to people. Even truths of which I am convinced because of my own experience and study may be difficult to communicate. However, this is not only a problem for pastors. Scientists also have difficulty explaining certain scientific truths to common people. Electricity is a convenience we all use everyday but can you tell me what it is? Even though I cannot explain electricity, I continue to use it even as I live according to spiritual truths which I may find difficult to fully explain. 97 years ago today, on September 22, 1791, an English scientist was born who made one of the greatest electrical discoveries of all time. His name was Michael Faraday. Faraday had little formal education but acquired considerable knowledge through reading and eventually became the director of a prestigious laboratory in London. Discovering that electricity can be generated by means of magnetism, he developed the first dynamo, which is the basic element in electrical machinery. Although his discovery laid the foundation for a revolutionary new world, Faraday once said, "The important thing is to know how to take all things quietly." (2692)
Autumn (88/09/23)
When I first came to Japan, I was surprised that many Japanese thought Japan was unique in having four different seasons in the year, but all lands the same distance from the equator have similar seasons, even though Japanese may be especially conscious of seasonal changes. The season between summer and winter is called autumn or fall, but when does this season begin? That depends on where you live and what calendar you use. For people living in the southern hemisphere, autumn begins in March and for those following the traditional lunar calendar in Japan, autumn began over a month ago. But most people consider this autumnal equinox, or shūbun no hi to be the beginning of this enjoyable season. In Japanese tradition, today is also the midpoint of higan when visits are made to ancestral graves. To some people, autumn is a melancholy time as the leaves of trees change color and fall, the harvest is gathered in and preparations are made for the coming winter. Edwin Teale has written, "For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad." Whether autumn has a negative or positive image depends on one's viewpoint, but I hope the autumn season will be a happy, productive time for you. (2693)
Second life (88/09/24)
From the Latin word for "follow", we get the words sequel, sequence and second. Of course, that which is second follows what is first and in such words as secondhand, second class, second best or second fiddle, it implies something inferior. But second often has simply a numerical meaning, so there is a second half in a soccer game and a second base in baseball. One may have a second bag, a second car or even a second house, but have you ever heard of a "second life"? That was the name of the group I lectured two weeks ago today on the theme of "Jukunenshano lkigai": This organization of senior citizens was founded ten years ago by Shiro Kunimitsu; who also gave a lecture following mine. Mr. Kunimitsu was the man who coined jukunen to replace the old word ronen. In my lecture, I stressed that a healthy faith, a goal and personal effort are required to enjoy a meaningful life. Even people of a "mature age" can actively participate in the race of life referred to in Philippians, chapter 3, where Paul wrote, "the one thing I do . . . is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call . . . to the life above." (2694)
King Solomon (88/09/25)
Even many people who have never read the Bible are acquainted with the famous king of Israel named Solomon. You also have probably heard of him. What image do you have of this king or what do you associate with his name? In the Bible, two outstanding characteristics of King Solomon are emphasized: he was exceptionally wise and extraordinarily rich. According to the 3rd chapter of I Kings, soon after Solomon became king, he had a dream in which God asked him what thing he desired above all else. If you were asked this question how would you answer? How do you think a promising young leader in Japan or some other country in the world today would answer? The young king did not ask for health, wealth or victory over his enemies. He said, "O Lord God . . . I am very young and don't know how to rule. . . . So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil." Then God answered that because he had made such a commendable request; he would not only be given wisdom and understanding, but that he would also be given wealth and honor besides. How different the world would be today if more national leaders and more of us common people had the kind of desire that Solomon expressed! (2695)
Pachinko (88/09/26)
Katano is a quiet, residential town in Osaka Prefecture, located between Osaka and Kyoto. This town has no cabarets, love hotels, discos, movie theaters or pachinko halls. Recently, when the municipal government approved a plan to build a pachinko parlor in the town, half of the voting population signed an anti-pachinko petition which the PTA presented to government officials. Those opposing the pachinko hall fear it will attract undesirable people into the community and have a bad effect on children and young people. What is your opinion regarding pachinko, pachinko halls and their effect on society? If you lived in Katano, what would be your view on this matter? Do you think a pachinko hall should be permitted or prohibited? If you send me an essay on this subject, I will correct it and publish it in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (2696)
Thomas Nast (88/09/27)
An election campaign for president is now being conducted in the United States by the nominees of the two major political parties. Do you know what the traditional symbols of these two parties are? That of the Republicans is an elephant and that of the Democrats is a donkey. The political parties themselves did not choose these symbols. They were first used by a political cartoonist, who was born in Germany 148 years ago today, on September 27, 1840. Thomas Nast was brought to the United States when he was six years old. He became an illustrator and cartoonist for various publications. He first pictured the Democratic Party as a donkey in a cartoon published in 1870, and the first Republican elephant appeared in one of his cartoons four years later. For some reason, these humorous caricaturizations took root in the popular imagination and continue to be used even today. Both of these animals, like all other creatures, have admirable and undesirable qualities. Depending on our perspective, we may emphasize only the positive or the negative aspects of animals or people, but according to Philippians 4:8, we should concentrate on "those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable." (2697)
Human Rights Now! (88/09/28)
Yesterday a concert was held in the Tokyo Dome featuring some of the world's top pop musicians. This group of famous rock stars are on a world tour of 13 countries for six weeks of concerts. The tour is sponsored by Amnesty International, a human rights organization based in London, in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Amnesty International has 700,000 members and supporters in 150 countries. The basic activity of Amnesty members is writing letters to government officials requesting the release of people who have been imprisoned, not for acts of violence, but simply because of their political or religious beliefs. The aim of the "Human Rights Now!" campaign is to attract more members, especially among young people. Amnesty International is based on the premise that many ordinary people working together can make a difference and even cause changes in government policies to reflect this moral pressure. Amnesty's executive director, who conceived the tour, said at a news conference; "Our goals are simple: to turn governmental promises into governmental guarantees, to take our own candles and turn them into flames, and to take our voices and turn them into thunder." (2698)
Sexual discrimination (88/09/02)
Qatar (88/09/03)
Tests (88/09/04)
New Glarus (88/09/05)
"Daily Word" Echoes (88/09/06)
Blackout (88/09/07)
Guinea (88/09/08)
Tolstoy (88/09/09)
Pineapples (88/09/10)
Temple (88/09/11)
Ethiopia (88/09/12)
STEP (88/09/13)
Ibis (88/09/14)
Respected heroes (88/09/15)
Peter Falk (88/09/16)
Dry (88/09/17)
Worship services (88/09/18)
Internationalization (88/09/19)
Hail, Hale (88/09/20)
Olympic Games (88/09/21)
Michael Farady (88/09/22)
Autumn (88/09/23)
Second life (88/09/24)
King Solomon (88/09/25)
Pachinko (88/09/26)
Thomas Nast (88/09/27)
Human Rights Now! (88/09/28)
Horatio Nelson (88/09/29)
Wave power (88/09/30)
Bible Class (88/09/01)