April Fool's Day (89/04/01)
Today we should be a bit wary of the words of others and take some statements with a grain of salt, meaning to be skeptical of their complete truthfulness, for this first day of April is April Fools' Day. The origin of the custom of playing jokes on people on this day is not clear, but it is found in a number of countries during these early days of spring. I confess that I felt like a fool recently when it was pointed out to me that in my message for March 7th, I misspelled the German word arbeit, substituting an "l" for an "r". Although I am of German lineage, I don't know German and did not catch the mistaken spelling before it was printed. I apologize for that blunder. My lame excuse is that I have been living in Japan too long. Before coming here, I never confused r's and l's. The katakana version of a word does not indicate the correct romanized spelling and I should have checked the dictionary before using the misspelling I had seen elsewhere. I am sorry for that mistake and will try to avoid being so foolish in the future. Speaking of fools, from the biblical perspective, a fool is not simply an ignorant person who is easily deceived. In Psalm 14, the fool is one who does not believe in God and in Jesus' parable in Luke 12, a rich man was called a fool because he made his plans without considering God's will. (2883)
New life (89/04/02)
The first book of the Bible is called Genesis, which means beginning or origin. The first chapter of Genesis contains a picturesque narrative of the origin of the world. According to this narrative, the final act of creation was of human beings, who were created in the image of God. It is for this reason that we believe personal communication is possible between human beings and God. In the second chapter of Genesis, it is written that God formed the first human being from the dust of the ground, which is called adamah in Hebrew. That human being, called Adam, began to live when God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. Thus, the Bible teaches that God is our Creator and the Source of our life. Human beings are dependent upon God for their physical and spiritual existence. Christians believe that a truly wholesome, satisfying life is only found through a personal relationship with their Creator. According to the New Testament book of Ephesian chapter 4, verses 18 and following, people have become alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. New life is found through being recreated in the likeness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior. It is this Good News of new life, or salvation, which Christians call the Gospel and which has special meaning during this Easter season.(2884)
Pony Express (89/04/03)
A pony is a small horse and a rapid means of transportation may be called an express. 129 years ago today, on April 3, 1860, the famous Pony Express began its service in the western United States, aiming to cover the 1,830 miles between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California in ten days. There were 190 stations along the way, about ten miles apart. Lightweight men, riding ponies at high speed, carried mail and other dispatches in leather bags. One rider rode for about 75 miles, taking two minutes to change ponies and transfer his bags at every station. Many riders and ponies were used on each trip, but the same leather bags were passed along from beginning to end. The Pony Express, which lasted for 19 months until telegraph lines connected the East and West Coasts, is an exciting episode in American history. (2885)
Ancient kiln (89/04/04)
In English, ceramic ware is called china because it was originally produced in China. In Japanese, such products are called setomono because they are produced in the Nagoya suburb of Seto. Last summer an ancient tunnel kiln was discovered on city-owned property there. This kiln had been used 800 years ago to make unglazed pottery and, in January, permission was granted to restore that peculiar, slanting kiln to its former state. After surmounting many problems and with the cooperation of many people, the kiln has been restored and next week at the Tōso matsuri, "Pottery Origins Festival", the kiln will be used once again to bake the same kind of pottery it produced centuries ago. However, the sad fact is that, following this festival and a second use during Golden Week, the newly restored kiln is scheduled for destruction so that the silica in that area can be mined for industrial use. Once again "industrial development", backed by financial and political power, is being given priority over the preservation of an historic relic. The dilemma between progress and preservation is a difficult one. Jewish respect for history is implied in the advice given in Proverbs 22:28: "Never move an old boundary-mark which your ancestors established." (2886)
Elihu Yale (89/04/05)
The word "haven" means harbor or refuge. About 350 years ago, a harbor on the seacoast of the American state of Connecticut was named "New Haven". This city is now the site of one of the country's most prestigious educational institutions. The school was begun in 1701 by a group of clergymen in the colony of Connecticut and most of the early students lived in the homes of the clergymen who also served as teachers. In 1716, the founders began to build a school in New Haven but they needed more money than could be raised locally, so an English philanthropist was asked to give aid to this building project. This man had been born near Boston but had returned to England as a child. Later, he went to India where he became wealthy as a merchant-trader. Responding to the request for help, he sent nine bales of goods, including books, rich fabrics from India and a portrait of King George I which were sold in Boston for £562 pound 12s. This was the largest gift the school would receive for more than 100 years. The grateful board of trustees voted to name the school in honor of this benefactor, Elihu Yale, who was born 340 years ago today. Giving to a worthy cause benefits both the giver and the receiver. (2887)
Raphael (89/04/06)
The English word, "Madonna", comes from two Italian words meaning "my lady". It has become a specialized term used for Mary, the mother of Jesus, and for paintings or statues of her in particular. Often, the infant Jesus is also represented with her. The greatest painter of Madonnas was the Italian painter, Raphael Santi, who was born 506 years ago today, on April 6, 1483. April 6 is also the anniversary of Raphael's death, for he died of a fever on his 37th birthday, in 1520. One of the world's best-known painters, he is known for the graceful composition of his paintings, their exquisite coloring and the sweetness of expression on the faces of his subjects. Most of his well-known works deal with religious themes or persons. The name, Raphael, comes from Hebrew and means "God heals". Although this name is not found in the Bible used by Protestants, in the apocryphal book of Tobit, Raphael is the name of an angel sent by God who healed Tobit. This Raphael is also a prominent character in Milton's great poem, Paradise Lost. Thomas Higginson, an American clergyman, has called Raphael's Maddonas, "the shadow of a mother's love, fixed in permanent outline forever."(2888)
A pitcher without a right hand (89/04/07)
In Japanese professional baseball the foreign players attract special attention. In the American major leagues, who do you think attracts attention? During an exhibition game last month between the California Angels and the Oakland Athletics, a rookie pitcher named Jim Abbott was the center of attraction. He came in as a relief pitcher for the Angels in the 4th inning and pitched only two innings, during which he walked three batters. Because he was slow in fielding a grounder which should have resulted in a double-play, a run was allowed to score. However, he struck out Oakland's star hitter when there were runners on second and third bases for the third out. Although he had to struggle for those two innings, he wound up as the winning pitcher as the Angels beat the Athletics by the score of 9 to 4. The thing that is so special about Jim Abbott is that he was born without a right hand, thus he has to pitch, catch and field balls all with his left hand. Can you imagine what life would be like without a right hand? Have you ever given thanks to God that you have two hands that are normal? What is your attitude toward physically handicapped persons? Do you pity them or scorn them? There is a Persian proverb that says, "I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." (2889)
Buddha (89/04/08)
There are various kinds of hanamatsuri in Japan. Many of them take place during this season when flowers begin to bloom. The celebration of the Buddha's birth, which is held in many Japanese temples today, has been called hanamatsuri since a Buddhist youth organization held a flower festival in Tokyo's Asakusa Park on this day 77 years ago. The exact day of the Buddha's birth is not known for sure and temples have celebrated his birth on other days but in Japan, today is the usual day for pouring sweet tea over a standing figure of the newborn Buddha. As you probably know, the word "buddha" comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "awake". Literally, a buddha is an awakened one, or an enlightened one. In the early Buddhist tradition, such an enlightenment experience came only after long and arduous discipline, but in popular Japanese thought anyone who dies immediately becomes a buddha, regardless of that person's character, lifestyle and faith or lack of faith while alive. As has happened with many other imports from other lands, Buddhism also has been changed to fit the Japanese situation, but do you think this is good or bad? The Bible teaches, in Psalm 19:8, that it is the Word of God that brings enlightenment. (2890)
Refreshment (89/04/09)
Today is Sunday. For many people, this first day of the week is a special day. Christians go to church on this day to worship their heavenly Father and to enjoy fellowship with their brothers and sisters in the family of God. Others consider Sunday a day of recreation. The word "recreation", of course, comes from "re-create" and thus signifies renewal or refreshment. One reason Christians go to church is to experience a renewal or refreshment of their spiritual lives. Just as rest is an important element in maintaining physical health, spiritual refreshment is needed for a healthy spirit and, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11, verse 29, Jesus promised rest to the weary people who come to him. For pastors, however, Sunday is not a day of rest. It is a busy day of service. Today, the General Overseer of our Church from the United States is ministering to churches in Japan. In the morning and evening, he is preaching through an "interrupter" in our Japanese churches in Takahama and Kariya and in the afternoon at the English-language worship service of the Nagoya Union Church. Early tomorrow morning he and his wife will leave for the Philippines. We pray that God will bless their ministry and give refreshment to their spirits despite their busy schedule. (2891)
SCPA (89/04/10)
If you have personal memories of the end of the Pacific War, you are probably acquainted with the initials, SCAP. This was the shortened form of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and was the designation of General Douglas MacArthur. When these letters are rearranged as SCPA, they stand for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. An American organization with that name was incorporated on April 10, 1866, 123 years ago today. This society cares for homeless animals, assists farmers in caring for the health of their stock, cooperates with state governments in enforcing game laws and promotes the humane treatment of animals in general. "Humane" is an adjective to indicate such qualities as kindness, mercy and compassion. We all should be humane to animals and, more importantly, to human beings as well. (2892)
Ketchup (89/04/11)
Are you acquainted with the word, "catsup", spelled c-a-t-s-u-p? This word has nothing to do with cats. Actually, it is simply a different form of the word "ketchup". You are probably acquainted with this word and have possibly used some ketchup on a hamburger or some other food. This word is rooted in a Chinese word meaning "taste". Ketchup is a thick, spicy sauce usually made from tomatoes that is used to make food more tasty. In Japan, about 110,000 tons of ketchup are sold each year. The Kagome Company, Japan's largest processed tomato product maker, now has a 56 percent share of that market but when Japan fully liberalizes the import of tomato products in July, that situation may change. The H. J. Heinz Company of the United States, the world's Number One ketchup maker, is preparing a television and newspaper campaign to promote its brand of ketchup which has been specially prepared for the Japanese market. I wonder if the sales of Heinz ketchup will ever catch up with those of Kagome in Japan. Salt was the kind of seasoning used in Bible days, and in Colossians 4:6, we are told to season our speech with salt, which means to make it tasty and interesting, and that is what I try to do in these "Daily Word" messages. (2893)
Astronaut, Cosmonaut (89/04/12)
In Greek, nautes means "sailor" and the English word "nautical" pertains to navigation on a body of water. This root is also found in such words as astronaut and cosmonaut. "Astro" comes from the Greek word for star, so, literally, an astronaut is a sailor among the stars while a cosmonaut is a sailor in the cosmos, or orderly universe. In fact, both terms signify a person who participates in the flight of a spacecraft, but astronaut is the term preferred by Americans while cosmonaut is used by Russians. Twenty-eight years ago today, on April 12, 1961, for the first time in history a human being orbited the earth in a spaceship. The feat was performed by Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who circled the earth once in Vostok 1. Since that initial space flight, other flights by cosmonauts and astronauts have increased our knowledge of the stars and the orderly universe. The biblical explanation of the amazing harmony and order throughout the universe is that it is the creation of a rational being. My brother, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois, in his class in bionics, calls this being the Grand Omnipotent Designer, or GOD, for short. (2894)
Thomas Jefferson (89/04/13)
Do you know the source of the following quotation? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." These words are a part of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain adopted by the thirteen American colonies in 1776. They were written by a man who was born 246 years ago today, on April 13, 1743, whose name was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson had a wide range of interests and talents and was undoubtedly one of the most gifted of Americans. Born into a leading Virginia family, he became a leader and spokesman for the revolutionary movement. Other designations which apply to him are: statesman, diplomat, scholar, linguist, writer, philosopher, political theorist, architect, engineer, scientist, farmer and agriculturalist. He became George Washington's Secretary of State and the third President of the United States. In contrast with the traditional Japanese emphasis upon harmony and tranquility, a letter of Thomas Jefferson, written in 1787, includes these words: "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing." Do you agree with him?(2895)
Omawari-san (89/04/14)
In Japanese, an interesting word used for a policeman is omawari-san. Of course, the implication is that this policeman, or patrolman, goes around, or patrols, a certain designated area. In Japan, kōban, or police boxes, are found in both residential and business districts, from which omawari-san periodically make rounds and become acquainted with the people who live or work in that community. Some American police officers are wondering whether there is a relationship between the comparatively low crime rate in Japan and this community policing system. Many such ministations, modelled on the Japanese kōban, have now been set up in the United States in the hope that better relationships between local policemen and residents will serve to help prevent crimes. Unfortunately, in some American communities, policemen are considered enemies rather than friends of the residents. Although the historical and cultural backgrounds of the two countries are very different, the United States can learn from Japan the importance of good human relations. Especially in a democracy, trust between common people and those employed with their tax money to represent or serve them is important. When law makers or law enforcers lose the respect of the people, that society is in for trouble. (2896)
Canoe trip (89/04/15)
When I was a boy, I used to go to a YMCA camp with my church youth group in the summer, where I enjoyed canoeing on a picturesque lake that had a few Indian tepees at one place along the shore. A canoe is the traditional Indian boat, originally made of a hollowed-out tree trunk. It is light and slender, has pointed ends and is propelled by paddles. The phrase, "paddle your own canoe" means to manage your own affairs without help or interference by others. This phrase, which was a favorite expression of President Lincoln, has a special meaning to a Michigan couple who recently completed a 33,800 kilometer canoe trip from northern Canada to the southernmost point of South America. The 66-year-old canoe builder and his 37-year-old wife took nearly two years to make this epic voyage which included travel on the Mackenzie, the Mississippi and the Amazon Rivers, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea in two 5-meter canoes. Needless to say, they paddled their own canoes, but they also had sails to take advantage of helpful breezes. In our life journeys also, we need to put forth our best effort to reach a goal while also depending on the help of God, as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:10. (2897)
Encouragement (89/04/16)
We may call the center or most important part of something the "core", spelled c-o-r-e, which comes from the Latin word for "heart". This root forms the heart of the word "courage", which signifies an attitude of confidence, resolution or bravery in the face of difficulty or danger. By our words and actions, we can influence those around us, either inspiring or weakening their spirits. That is to say, we can encourage or discourage them. The Bible teaches that we should encourage others, seeking to strengthen their faith and their resolve. In the last verse of chapter 15 of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, he gave a word of encouragement to his readers, which may include us. He wrote: "Stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless." Sometimes we may feel discouraged and wonder whether our efforts are really worthwhile. If we doubt the value or effectiveness of our work, this word of Paul should encourage us. He assures us that if our aim is to serve the Lord, even if our ability is limited and our sphere of activity is small our efforts are never useless. If we are working to please people, we may be disappointed, but if our aim is to serve the Lord, in some way, our work will bear good fruit. (2898)
Treaty of Shimonoseki (89/04/17)
On the southwestern tip of the Japanese island of Honshū lies the port city of Shimonoseki, meaning Lower Barrier. It was here that an important treaty was signed on April 17, 1895, 94 years ago today. This treaty brought an end to the short war between China and Japan which was fought over which country was to dominate Korea. Although the Treaty of Shimonoseki formally recognized Korea's independence, actually it left Japan as the controlling power there. A few years later, after a war with Russia, Japan's domination of Korea became complete and the years of Japanese oppression of this proud nation began. The unfortunate results of this period are still evident today, 44 years after Japan was forced to give up its control. When the roots of bitterness are so deep, it requires a divinely-given power to show love to one's enemies. (2899)
Blowfish (89/04/18)
Chinese characters meaning "river horse" are used for a hippopotamus, but do you know what the characters meaning "river pig" refer to? Called fugu in Japanese, in English, it is called a blowfish or a puffer because it is able to blow or puff its body up when it comes under attack on the surface of the water. Blowfish are very delicious, but because they contain poison it can be dangerous to eat them. Four years ago, after this Japanese delicacy was publicized by a New York restaurant, the local media described it as a "killer fish" and the government banned its importation. Last month the ban was lifted, so a shipment of 124 kilograms of frozen blowfish recently left Japan for the United States. This shipment, which was specially processed under strict conditions, will be served in Japanese restaurants in New York for about $150 to $200 per person. The Japanese proverb, Fugu wa kuitashi, inochi wa oshishi, has been put into English as: "Sweet is the fugu, but life is sweeter" and "Honey is sweet, but the bee stings". When faced with difficult choices, we must establish priorities. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus taught that we cannot serve two different masters. We must choose which comes first. (2900)
Unflappable young violinist (89/04/19)
A recent news article bore the title, "U. S. schoolbook features unflappable young violinist". "Unflappable" is a comparatively new word. In the 1950s, the word "flap" became a slang term meaning nervous excitement or confusion. Thus "flappable" means easily excited and "unflappable" is used for a person who stays calm. The young violinist referred to in this article is a Japanese girl, Midori Goto. When Midori was four years old, she began playing the violin. She moved to the United States with her mother when she was ten to study music in New York. At fourteen, she played in outdoor concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During one such concert, she had to borrow a violin after the strings of her own violin broke. When the strings of the second instrument also broke, she borrowed a third. The audience and the orchestra's violinists were astounded that she was able to use violins she had never played before, which were bigger than her own, without missing a stroke. Her story is now told in a new textbook for American school children in which she is called an exceptionally talented musician and a strong-willed performer. To have inner peace despite outward circumstances is a blessing of God, who, according to II Thessalonians 3:16, is the true source of spiritual peace.(2901)
Adolf Hitler (89/04/20)
A swastika is a symbol consisting of a cross with arms of equal length whose ends are bent at right angles. If the ends are bent in a counterclockwise direction, the swastika may be a Buddhist symbol, but when bent in a clockwise direction it is the symbol of Naziism. Nazi is the German contraction of Nationalsozialist, a German Workers' Party founded by nationalists embittered after Germany's defeat in the First World War. This group included a 30-year-old former corporal in the German army named Adolf Hitler, who was born one hundred years ago today, on April 20, 1889. When economic depression hit Germany, the people began to listen to the magnetic oratory of this man who fomented hatred against the Jews, despised morality and sought to rule the world through a deceitful strategy making use of "big lies" that were repeated so often that many people believed them. Making use of mass psychology, he was able to hoodwink an entire nation that was looking for a leader, or führer. The example of this cruel man should cause us to be wary of charismatic leaders who encourage ultra-nationalistic emotions. A German clergyman, imprisoned by Hitler for opposing his policies, wrote a book with the significant title, God is My Fuhrer. (2902)
Ancient coins (89/04/21)
People in Japan are once again getting used to handling small, aluminum coins. Coins were first used as money in Asia Minor about 2,600 years ago. Those old coins were usually made of gold, silver or copper. Last month in a village north of Paris as a construction crew was working to prepare a site for the building of a new factory, a bulldozer struck an old jar that was found to contain 650 ancient coins. Nearby, another jar containing more than 7,000 coins was also uncovered. According to a local archaeologist, these silver and copper coins, dating from the 3rd century A. D., were probably buried by Roman merchants to hide them from the invading barbarians 1,700 years ago. Despite their age, the coins are in perfect condition and are considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in France in the past 30 years. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field which the finder considered to be the most important thing in his life. On Sunday afternoon, April 30th, at 1:30, we will hold a meeting of listeners to these telephone messages at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. That is the day after Green Day and "Green" is the theme of the meeting. (2903)
Earth Day (89/04/22)
In the 13th verse of the New Testament book of Jude, godless people are compared to "wandering stars". The Greek word for "wandering" is planetes, from which the English word "planet" is derived. There are nine major planets that revolve around the sun. The fifth largest planet which is the third closest to the sun is the planet on which we live, called Earth. The earth is the only planet known to support life. The distance of the earth from the sun, the kind of atmosphere it has and its geological character are among the particular factors that make life possible. Human beings are now able to effect changes in some of these elements which can greatly affect the future of this planet and the kind of life it will support. This 22nd day of April has been designated Earth Day to emphasize the necessity for conserving the world's natural resources. Japan is said to be poor in natural resources, but if natural beauty is included in that term, Japan has tremendous natural resources which also need to be preserved for future generations. Greater concern for the natural resources of other countries in which Japanese industry is at work is also required. On this Earth Day, we should all consider our responsibility in conserving all kinds of natural resources. (2904)
Transient beauty (89/04/23)
Looking out of my second floor study window, I see the limbs of a large old tree in the garden of our house. A couple of weeks ago, this tree was full of beautiful blossoms, but now they are gone. The cherry blossom is the characteristic flower of Japan and its transient beauty has had a profound effect upon the thinking of the Japanese. One of the best-known poems in Japan, beginning with the words irowa nioedo, teaches the impermanence of all material things. In this constantly changing world in which all living things grow old and die, human beings have an inner thirst to find something lasting upon which they can rely. The answer of the Bible to this human search for permanence is that the eternal God, our Creator, is a changeless, dependable Rock and his truth is the guiding principle of a righteous and meaningful life. At the end of the first chapter of the New Testament book of I Peter there is a quotation from an Old Testament prophet in which people are compared to flowers, whose beauty is temporary. The quotation ends with these words: "'The grass withers, and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord remains forever.'" Then the writer adds that "This word is the Good News that was proclaimed to you." For the Christian, this Good News, or Gospel, is the eternal truth which undergirds our lives. (2905)
Making bread (89/04/24)
When my mother was alive, she used to make homemade bread which my father and all six of us children enjoyed very much. First she made the dough and kneaded it. Then she let it rise and put it in the oven to bake. Because there were so many in our family, she made many loaves at the same time. Making and baking bread required much time, but the delicious bread didn't last long in our home. Nowadays, my wife simply puts a prepared mixture into a container placed in an electric appliance along with the yeast put into a small receptacle on the top. Then the timer is set and the switch is turned on. As a result, a delectable loaf of bread is ready to eat in a comparatively short time with a minimum of effort. How times have changed! In Matthew 4:4, Jesus taught that people "cannot live on bread alone." They need spiritual nourishment from God to live a truly healthy life. (2906)
Meeting of listeners (89/04/25)
This coming Sunday, April 30th, is the fifth Sunday of the month so we will hold another meeting of listeners to these telephone messages on that afternoon. We will meet at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station at 1:30. My wife and I would be happy to see you there. What shall we talk about at that meeting? The day before the meeting will be a national holiday. This year, this birthday anniversary day of the late Emperor will be called "Green Day". What does the color green bring to your mind? There are a number of different implications of this color: vegetation, unripe, immature, young, inexperienced, fresh, naive. The word is found in such terms as greenhouse, greenback, greenhorn, green-eyed, green thumb and green light. We would be happy to hear your thoughts or experiences related to this color or to hear how you celebrated Green Day. Next Tuesday is the first Tuesday of the month. On the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month, I teach a Bible Class at the City Kyōikukan at Sakae. From 6:30-7:30, we study in Japanese and from 7:30-8:30, we study the same passage in English. You are invited to attend. (2907)
Stone from Ryūkyū (89/04/26)
When the tall, slender Washington Monument in Washington D. C. was completed in 1884, stones presented by American citizens, cities, states and eight foreign countries were embedded in its inside wall. A stone from the Kingdom of Ryūkyū, which is now the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, was taken to the United States by Commodore Perry to be included in that monument. The stone got lost, however, and was not embedded along with a stone from Shimoda. Five years ago, a member of the Ryūkyū-America Historical Research Society found out about the missing stone. That Society offered to send another stone and the U. S. government gave special approval to its offer. So this summer a 61 x 122 x 7.6 centimeter piece of indigenous Ryūkyū limestone will be taken to Washington to be embedded in the wall at the 310th landing of the 169-meter-high monument and Japan will become the only foreign country that has donated two stones for that monument. In the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 4, verse 11, Jesus Christ is compared to a stone which was first rejected by the builders but later became the cornerstone. You are invited to attend the "Daily Word" Listeners Meeting next Sunday afternoon at 1:30, at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center. (2908)
Ulysses S. Grant (89/04/27)
Who or what do you associate with the name "Ulysses"? This is the Latin name of a Greek king, the hero of the Odyssey, written by the Greek poet, Homer, in the 8th century B.C. A famous psychological novel entitled Ulysses was written by James Joyce in 1922. Ulysses was also the name of the 18th president of the United States, who was born 167 years ago today, on April 27, 1822. Ulysses S. Grant, the son of a tanner, won an appointment to West Point and became an army officer after graduation. Resigning from the army after being censured for intoxication, he rejoined in response to President Lincoln's call for volunteers and eventually became the general in charge of the Union forces during the Civil War. After accepting the surrender of the Confederate Army, he became a popular hero and was elected president in 1868. President Grant once said, "Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives." At our Listeners' Meeting next Sunday afternoon, we hope to hear thoughts, experiences or stories related to the color "green" or how people spent "Green Day". We will meet at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station beginning at 1:30. (2909)
James Monroe (89/04/28)
President Bush is the 41st president of the United States and the second one bearing the name of George. There were three presidents named John and three named William, but there have been six presidents named James. One of them, the fifth president, was born 231 years ago today, on April 28, 1758. Before becoming president, James Monroe served as the governor of Virginia. He also served as a special American representative in the negotiations with France that resulted in purchasing the Louisiana Territory, thus doubling the area of the United States. Monroe served as Secretary of State under President James Madison and was elected president in 1816. His presidency is best-remembered for his declaration regarding European influence in the American continents. This declaration, known as the Monroe Doctrine, made clear that any attempt on the part of European powers to forcibly control newly independent countries in North and South America would be considered an unfriendly act toward the United States. My wife and I will consider it a friendly act if you join the meeting of "Daily Word" listeners on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the Nagoya Geijutsu Sōzō Center. We hope to see many listeners there. (2910)
New life (89/04/02)
Pony Express (89/04/03)
Ancient kiln (89/04/04)
Elihu Yale (89/04/05)
Raphael (89/04/06)
A pitcher without a right hand (89/04/07)
Buddha (89/04/08)
Refreshment (89/04/09)
SCPA (89/04/10)
Ketchup (89/04/11)
Astronaut, Cosmonaut (89/04/12)
Thomas Jefferson (89/04/13)
Omawari-san (89/04/14)
Canoe trip (89/04/15)
Encouragement (89/04/16)
Treaty of Shimonoseki (89/04/17)
Blowfish (89/04/18)
Unflappable young violinist (89/04/19)
Adolf Hitler (89/04/20)
Ancient coins (89/04/21)
Earth Day (89/04/22)
Transient beauty (89/04/23)
Making bread (89/04/24)
Meeting of listeners (89/04/25)
Stone from Ryūkyū (89/04/26)
Ulysses S. Grant (89/04/27)
James Monroe (89/04/28)
Colors (89/04/29)
Witnesses (89/04/30)
April Fool's Day (89/04/01)