Incarnation (90/04/01)
A Latin word meaning "meat" or "flesh" is the root of such English words as carnal, carnage, carnivorous, carnival, carnation and incarnation. Incarnation means to "make flesh" or to "embody in human form". One of the basic doctrines of Christianity is that God became incarnate in the person of Jesus, who is called Christ. As with many theological doctrines, this one is difficult to understand with our minds, but Christians believe that Jesus not only faithfully taught about God as other prophets did. They believe that in him, the invisible God was clothed with a human form so that in his manner of life and death, the character of the eternal God is perceived. This profound truth is expressed in the 2nd chapter of the New Testament Letter to the Philippians, where it is written that the divine Christ "emptied himself", appeared in human likeness, taking the form of a servant, and then died on a cross. He is here presented as the supreme model for Christians. That is to say, sincere followers of Christ will follow his example of humility and be willing to give up themselves for the good of others. Even as Christ was the incarnation of God, Christians should be present-day incarnations of the spirit of Christ. (3231)
Between Scylla and Charbydis (90/04/02)
The Naruto Strait between Awaji and Shikoku is famous for its whirlpools. There is also a famous whirlpool in the narrow strait between Italy and Sicily called Charbydis. Opposite that whirlpool is a large rock called Scylla. In Greek mythology, both of these natural phenomena were personified as female monsters, intent on the destruction of any sailors who came near them. It was very difficult and dangerous to maneuver a boat between them, so the saying "between Scylla and Charbydis" came to mean "between two difficulties". Other sayings with similar meanings are: "between two fires", "between the devil and the deep blue sea" or the Japanese saying, zen-mon no tora, kômon no ôkami, a tiger at the front gate, a wolf at the rear gate. In such a situation, we may recall the words of the 23rd Psalm and not be afraid because the Lord is with us. (3232)
Washington Irving (90/04/03)
In the American states of New Jersey and New York there are a city and a village which were founded in the 17th century but which changed their names to Irvington two centuries later to honor a man who was born in New York City 207 years ago today. This man, Washington Irving, wrote a five-volume biography of George Washington and served as the U. S. minister to Spain, but he is most famous for his humorous and fanciful short stories, one of which was about Rip Van Winkle. Have you ever heard of him? While hunting in the Catskill Mountains of New York, this good-natured fellow met a stranger and helped him carry a keg over the rocks. Later, after drinking the liquor that was offered him, he fell into a deep sleep that lasted for twenty years, during which the Revolutionary War occurred. When he returned to his village, he found that everything had greatly changed. Can you imagine the reaction of a Japanese man who had slept for twenty years and returned to his hometown a few years after the end of the Pacific War or of an Eastern European who will awake from a twenty-year sleep a few years from now? This story reminds us of how quickly circumstances may change. In a volatile world, we need a firm conviction but we must also be willing to adjust to the changing situation. (3233)
Foreign Language Classes (90/04/04)
In the midst of the rapidly changing world situation, the interest of Americans in certain particular nations may be reflected in the foreign languages they choose to study. The United States Department of Agriculture has an adult-education school in Washington, D.C. which offers language classes. In that school, the class in Beginning Russian has had a 33 percent increase in enrollment since the fall semester. German has also become a more popular language recently, but interest in learning Chinese dropped abruptly after the crushing of the demonstrations last June. Looking ahead, the school is planning to offer a new course in Lithuanian in the coming term. To truly understand others, we need to know their language. On April 29th, the fifth Sunday of this month, we plan to hold another meeting of listeners to these telephone messages at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sôzô Center, so put it on your schedule and plan to join us there. If you wish to receive written copies of these telephone messages before they are spoken, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥60 in stamps for each week of messages desired to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3234)
Ômagari School (90/04/05)
The Chinese character meaning "bend" or "curve" and pronounced kyoku or magaru was derived from the shape of a receptacle made of bent or curved strips of wood or bamboo. A city in Akita Prefecture has the interesting name of "Big Curve". In a farming district in this city of Ômagari, there is a small elementary school that has only 40 pupils. The Okawa Nishine Municipal Elementary School is said to be the smallest elementary school in the prefecture, but it has a long history and a unique musical training program. It boasts a student orchestra and its pupils practice with musical instruments for at least one hour every day. Recently, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the school's founding, a German pipe organ was donated to the school by the city government. The organ has 180 pipes and cost ¥24 million. Eriko Ito, concertmaster of the school's orchestra, said she is looking forward to hearing works by Bach performed on the instrument. It is commendable to stimulate an appreciation of good music when children are young. Martin Luther has called music "the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul, one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us." (3235)
Meteorological Robots (90/04/06)
The English word "robot" is derived from the Czechoslovakian word for "work" or "drudgery". It denotes a mechanical device that is able to perform human tasks. Japan is very advanced in the use of robots and in many factories robots are now doing much of the repetitive, boring work that was previously done by human beings. Robots are also capable of doing more sophisticated work. The Oita prefectural government is in the process of developing a new class of robots to promote agricultural production. Until now, farmers have relied on their own experience and instinct along with the tradition of their ancestors to decide on the time to plant and harvest their crops. These new meteorological robots will be installed at prefectural cultivation sites to collect data on temperature, precipitation, the duration of sunshine and wind velocity. After processing this information, the agricultural technology center will forecast weather conditions and advise farmers on such matters as how to prevent frost damage and when to harvest. For some people, increased scientific knowledge of the universe implies that faith in God is no longer plausible or necessary, while others cannot but recognize a divine mind behind the amazing orderliness of nature and bow in worship. (3236)
Lodging in Warsaw (90/04/07)
Our train arrived in Warsaw about 8:30 at night. The Polish lady I had written to in Esperanto was not there to meet us. Although we had no hotel reservations, we thought we would have no trouble finding lodging in this capital city of Poland. We were very mistaken. Lacking sufficient accomodations, Warsaw was often overcrowded and an international convention meeting there at that time aggravated the situation. No hotel rooms or private pensions were available anywhere. What was our family to do? Pleading with the manager of the Grand Hotel had no effect, so we decided to sit in the hotel lobby and wait to see if we could spend the night there or if we would be thrown out into the street--or possibly into jail. At 10 o'clock, I called the American Embassy. The man who answered promised to check around and call back. He did so and gave me the number of a certain apartment. After eating at the hotel, we took a taxi to that address, but the front gate was locked. Going around to the back, we walked up the fire escape stairway to the third floor apartment, hoping that it was the right place and that someone was expecting us there. Fortunately, it was so and the English-speaking man permitted us to use his living room, where we spent the night on a sofa, a couch, a pulldown bed and two chairs. And we gave thanks to God, our heavenly Father. (3237)
Palm Sunday (90/04/08)
One day long ago, crowds of people were flowing like a stream into the holy city of Jerusalem. They were gathering to observe one of the most significant celebrations in Jewish tradition, the feast of the Passover. This festival commemorates the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses when God's judgment struck the homes of the Egyptians but "passed over" those of the Israelites. In this stream of humanity was a man riding on an ass, surrounded by a group of his followers. Soon, others recognized him as the popular teacher who had been attracting crowds of common folk in the country areas to the north with his simple teaching about God and his strange power to bring healing and comfort into people's lives. As they moved toward the city gates, a surge of hope swept through the crowd. Was this the one prophesied in the scripture who would bring peace into their lives and deliver them from the oppressive rule of Rome? They began to wave palm branches to welcome him, shouting, "God bless the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord!" It is this event that is celebrated in Christian churches today, called Palm Sunday. On this day, we proclaim that Christ is the King who brings true peace into the world by changing people's lives. (3238)
Water on a Frog's Face (90/04/09)
The Japanese language contains many onomatopoetic words by which particular sounds are expressed by repeating certain syllables. Za-za-, sha-sha- and ja-ja-, for example, may all be used for the sounds of different quantities of running water. Sha-sha-, however, may also express a certain condition as well as a sound--the condition of brazenly not showing regret when scolded for having done something wrong. Rebuking some people is like throwing water on a frog's face, according to the Japanese saying, kaeru no tsurani mizu, which means it has no effect whatever. In English, such ineffectual words are described as "water on a duck's back". Neither frogs nor ducks are bothered by a bit of water on the face or back, but lacking a sense of shame may imply moral insensitivity. Pascal wrote in his Pensees that "The only shame is to have none." (3239)
Women's Rights (90/04/10)
Today, April 10th, may be considered a memorable day in the history of women's rights in the United States and Japan. For one thing, it is the birthday of Frances Perkins, who was born in Boston on this day in 1882 and became the first woman In United States history to be appointed to a cabinet post. She served as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin Roosevelt from 1933 to 1945. On this day in 1946, for the first time in Japanese history, women voted in a House of Representatives election. As a result, 39 women representatives were elected. Unfortunately, since that time, the number of women representatives has been declining and even the tradition-breaking introduction of women into a Japanese cabinet a few months ago didn't last long. Another tradition-breaking event occurred on this day in 1959 when the then Crown Prince married a so-called commoner. However, upon her entrance into the imperial household, Empress Michiko lost some of her rights, including the right to vote. From my so-called blue-eye-perspective, this doesn't seem quite fair. I find it difficult to understand why members of the imperial family are not considered citizens, or kokumin, with the same rights as so-called commoners. (3240)
World Records (90/04/11)
Since 1955, the Guinness Book of World Records has been publishing world records of achievements in many categories. Every year a new book is published for there are always new records to be included. Last month a new record was established for a gymnastic exercise called squat-thrusts. Squat-thrusts are produced by squatting with hands on the floor, thrusting the legs out and back, then standing erect. Thirty-five-year-old Ashrita Furman established a new world record when he did 1551 squat-thrusts in one hour. Yet more remarkable is the fact that this is the 13th different record that Furman has made. He previously established records by somersaulting for 20 kilometers, running 80 kilometers while juggling 3 balls, yodeling for 27 hours, doing 2550 deep knee bends in an hour, walking 52.9 kilometers while balancing an open bottle of milk on his forehead and jumping on a pogostick 3303 times in 3 hours 20 minutes in 2.5-meter deep water. Furman now has more listings in the Book of Work Records than any other person. Great effort and skill is needed to get one's name in that book, but only faith is required to get one's name written in God's Book in heaven. (3241)
Comic Strips (90/04/12)
Comic books, which are made up of comic strips, have become quite popular these days, even among some adults. The word "comic" denotes something amusing or humorous, but nowadays many of these so-called comic strips are not very comical. In fact, some of them are horrifying rather than humorous. The first comic appeared in a New York newspaper almost a hundred years ago in 1894. Because it attracted readers who enjoyed a bit of comic relief while reading the news, other newspapers followed suit. Later, the single-frame comic was succeeded by a series of frames made into a strip. "Speech balloons" above the characters heads introduced dialogue into the comic strip and then, a continuous comic strip was created with a story that continued from day to day. The prototype of modern American comic strips was the "Katzenjammer Kids", which I remember enjoying in my childhood. Famous American comic strips that have become internationally known include "Popeye", "Blondie", "Tarzan" and "Superman". According to the American poet, Carl Sandburg, "In a democracy both deep reverence and a sense of the comic are requisite."Certainly a sense of humor not only makes life more interesting but also makes hardship or suffering more endurable. (3242)
Good Friday (90/04/13)
Today is Friday, the 13th day of April. For superstitious people in the West, Friday the 13th is an unlucky day because Jesus was crucified on a Friday and there were 13 people present at his last supper before he died. This Friday before Easter is the day that Christians commemorate Jesus' death on the cross. Because of the involved method used to determine the date of Easter, this is only the third time this century that the Friday before Easter has fallen on the 13th day of the month. In the Japanese Church, this day is called junanbi, or day of suffering, but in English it is called "Good Friday". Can you imagine why? Probably, the original expression was "God's Friday", meaning "Holy Friday" and was changed to Good Friday even as the phrase "God be with you" was shortened to "Goodby". The week before Easter is known as Holy Week, so the Friday of that week is Holy Friday. Furthermore, from the Christian point of view, the day of Jesus' crucifixion may be considered a particularly good day for it was through his sacrificial death that the sins of the world were taken away. According to I Corinthians 1:18, "the message about Christ's death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for [those] who are being saved it is God's power." (3243)
Exchange Rates in Poland (90/04/14)
We spent a day in Warsaw sightseeing and window-shopping. In 1970, the official rate of exchange was 24 zlotys to one dollar. Because I had exchanged more than $50, I received the preferred rate of 40 zlotys to the dollar. Along the street, however, we were offered the black market rate of 100 zlotys to the dollar. We did not have calculators in those days, so when our children asked the prices of certain articles, I had to figure the amount in my head and give them three answers at the different exchange rates. But they were not satisfied because they wanted to know the amount in yen, which required still more involved figuring. One reason I was willing to exchange more than $50 when we entered the country was because I knew we needed to buy train tickets from Warsaw to Berlin. However, I found out that zlotys could not be used to purchase tickets to destinations in foreign countries and that the zloty coupons we had received could not be exchanged for currency of any kind. If they were not spent in Poland, they would become worthless. Fortunately, I persuaded the ticket clerk at the railroad station to sell me separate tickets from Warsaw to the last station in Poland, which I paid for in zlotys, and from that station to Berlin, using dollars. (3244)
Easter (90/04/15)
Today is the first Sunday following the first full moon following the vernal equinox, which means it is the day Christ's resurrection from the dead is commemorated in most Christians churches. Easter, the English name of this festival, comes from the name of a Teutonic goddess of spring. Because the sun rises in the east, that direction has always been associated with a new beginning and during this Easter season we celebrate the new life which was communicated through Jesus Christ. According to Christian doctrine, not only did Jesus Christ rise from the dead, but resurrection from death will be the fate of all people. Details about the nature of life after death must necessarily be vague but the joy of new life need not be postponed until after the death of the body. It may be a present reality in the experience of people today. The Bible teaches that believers have already died with Christ and, through faith, have been raised together with him into a new life. According to the 6th chapter of the New Testament book of Romans, this is the symbolic meaning of Christian baptism. That is to say that Christians are not simply to believe in Christ's resurrection in the past nor of their own resurrection in the future. They are to manifest the new quality of life received from God in their lives in the present. (3245)
Heta no dôgu shirabe (90/04/16)
Today is Monday. For me and many other pastors, Mondays are considered days to relax following our busy schedules on Sundays. If the weather permits, I usually play tennis on Monday mornings. At times, when I hit the ball in the wrong place, I may complain about my poor racket. Do you know a Japanese proverb that is appropriate on such an occasion: In English, there is the saying that "A bad workman always blames his tools", which has a similar meaning to the Japanese proverb, Heta no dôgu shirabe. It is human nature to blame something or someone else for our own failures, but the conscientious person will first reflect on his or her own weaknesses before blaming others. According to the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 34, God "has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble." (3246)
Flowers/Flours (90/04/17)
Do you know how to spell flour/flower? The soft, fine, powdery substance made from ground grain is spelled f-l-o-u-r. There are various kinds of flours made from different sorts of grain. Wheat flour in Japan is called merikenko, which is a peculiar Japanese abbreviation of American powder. Do you often make use of this kind of flour? For what purpose is it used? Another kind of flower is spelled f-l-o-w-e-r and signifies a plant having beautiful, colorful blossoms. There are countless varieties of these kinds of flowers and this is the time of year when flowers begin to bloom. The last of March or beginning of April is the season for the famous Japanese cherry blossoms. In the West, many flowers bloom in May and, consequently, are called Mayflowers. Do you enjoy flowers? Do you grow any in your house or yard? What kind of flowers do you like best? Flowers/Flours will be the topic for discussion at our "Daily Word" Listeners Meeting to be held on Sunday afternoon, April 29th at 1:30 at the Nagoya City Geijutsu Sôzô Center at Shinsakae. My wife and I are looking forward to meeting listeners there and hearing comments about flowers/flours of any kind and any experiences, memories or information they wish to share on that subject. You are invited to attend. (3247)
Zimbabwe (90/04/18)
The African country of Namibia recently became the 160th member of the United Nations Organization. Since its name begins with an N, it will fall in the center of the alphabetical list of member states. Do you know the name of the country that comes at the end of that list? There are three countries whose names begin with Z, which is pronounced "zed" in Commonwealth countries. Two of them begin with Z-a, but the one celebrating its national day today begins with Z-i. When this country was colonized by Cecil Rhodes a hundred years ago, it was called Rhodesia. Following colonial practice, a white European minority ruled over the native black majority, but when a conservative Rhodesian government broke away from Britain in 1965 to maintain that arrangement, Britain, other states and the country's own black population protested. A new independent state under black majority rule came into existence ten years ago today, on April 18, 1980. The national flag of this Republic of Zimbabwe has a white triangle on the staff side with the figure of a golden bird on a red star. Extending from the triangle are narrow stripes of green, gold, red, black, red, gold and green. In Bantu, zimbabwe means "stone houses" and in the 2nd chapter of I Peter, Christians are called "living stones" in the spiritual house of God. (3248)
Overexersion (90/04/19)
One complaint against Japan by some countries is that its people work too hard. Whether or not this is true, it seems that the habit of overexertion is acquired by some Japanese at an early age. A recent magazine article reported that a high school in Kobe with a reputation for excellence refused to admit four students who had passed the entrance examinations because they had failed to attend classes for 60 to 90 days. Their parents had submitted the proper excuses to their teachers attributing their absences to headaches, colds and other minor ailments, but a school spokesman said that attendance records revealed a pattern of absenteeism on Mondays and a record of habitual tardiness. These pupils had enrolled in juku to receive intensive coaching, which included so-called dummy entrance tests held on Sunday mornings, reviews of the results on Sunday afternoons and cram classes in the early morning before school hours. Such unnatural overexertion is not healthy for the pupils and the high school did not want to encourage such practices which cause children to miss regular school classes. Joseph Hall, an English clergyman, has written that "Moderation is the silken string running through the pearl chain of all virtues." (3249)
Bush and Broccoli (90/04/20)
The English expression, "a tempest in a teapot" denotes great excitement about something not important. Last month, President Bush created a tempest in a teapot with his remarks about broccoli, a garden vegetable with a branched, greenish flower head. It is in the same family of vegetables as cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Since the names of all of these vegetables are written in katakana in Japanese, they must have been introduced from the West not so long ago. Unfortunately, many children do not enjoy eating nutritious vegetables like broccoli. President Bush said that, as a child, he hated broccoli but was forced to eat it by his mother. He further admitted that his wife, Barbara, likes broccoli and, over the years, has tried to get him to eat it too. However, he has now taken a firm stand as president of the United States. He declared that he is not going to eat broccoli any more and has banned it from meals on the presidential plane. Broccoli growers in California then sent him a truckload of broccoli to protest his remarks. Sometimes a "tempest in a teapot" with a touch of humor may relieve the tension created by more serious matters. A sense of humor along with a healthy faith will ease our voyage through more serious tempests in life--regardless of our taste for broccoli. (3250)
Berlin/Munich (90/04/21)
On the overnight train from Warsaw to Berlin, we had one 8-passenger compartment to ourselves. Since the next compartment was empty, we were able to use that one also so all five of us were able to get some sleep. In the morning, before the train crossed the border into East Germany, both Polish and East German officials boarded the train to check our passports. We were required to purchase visas to enter East Germany, even though we could not get off the train in that country. At the West Berlin station, called Zoo, we disembarked and carried our luggage down to the street. My wife and children kept it by them as they ate at a streetside refreshment stand while I tried to find someone who spoke English and could tell us how to get to Munich, where a camping car we had ordered from Japan was awaiting our arrival. We took two taxicabs to the airport, the one following the other, but, for some reason, different fares were registered on the taximeters. In Munich, we picked up the camping car, stopped at an automobile association office to get some maps and information and at a large discount center to get various supplies before starting out on our month's trip through the countries of Eastern Europe. (3251)
Bread of Life (90/04/22)
In Japan, the staple food is rice. In Italy, it is pasta. In Ireland, it is potatoes. And in Jewish tradition it is bread. Just as the Japanese term gohan can mean either boiled rice or a whole meal, so in the Bible, "bread" can be used literally of a particular food made from flour and baked in an oven or of food in general. A famous word of Jesus, which he quoted from the Old Testament, is that "Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks" [Matthew 4:41]. He thus indicated the importance for people to receive nutrition for their spirits as well as for their bodies. One reason that Christians gather together on Sunday mornings, attend a Bible Study during the week or read a portion of the Bible every day is to receive spiritual nourishment to become healthier human beings with more noble, sensitive and compassionate spirits. Unfortunately, many people are concerned only about material or physical satisfaction and lower themselves to the level of so-called economic animals. Jesus encouraged his followers to live on a higher; more truly human level of existence in fellowship with their Creator. In the Gospel of John, chapter 6, Jesus called himself the "bread of life" and Christians believe that through faith in him, spiritual life is received. (3252)
A Bolt from the Blue (90/04/23)
If one pours water on a frog's face, there is no adverse reaction. In fact, the frog may consider it enjoyable. But the effect is quite different if one pours water into the ear of a person who is sound asleep. In this case, the person is surprised, startled, shocked or even stunned. So sudden, unexpected and surprising news may be described in Japanese as Ne-mimi ni mizu. In English, we might call such information "a bolt from the blue", or seiten no hekireki. In this expression, "bolt" means a thunderbolt, which is the sudden flash of lightning that sometimes accompanies thunder, and "blue" denotes the cloudless sky. This expression may be used in relation to the word to Jesus' disciples that their crucified Lord had risen from the dead. Every year, on Easter Sunday, Jesus' resurrection is celebrated in Christian churches around the world. (3253)
Weeds and Flowers (90/04/24)
At the church in the city of Takahama where I serve as pastor, we call the third Sunday of the month Hôshi-bi. On that day, many people remain after the worship service to help clean the church or to improve the appearance of the church grounds. When picking weeds in the church garden, I sometimes must ask whether a certain plant is a weed to be uprooted or a flower that should remain. Some so-called weeds produce pretty flowers, but they are not the particular kind of flowers desired in that particular place. Flowers may grow on vines, trees, bushes or tiny plants and come in all sizes, shapes, colors and aromas. Some grow wild; others are painstakingly cultivated. Some beautiful flowers grow on stems with thorns and others are rooted on the bottom of ponds. Do you have a favorite flower? Please share your thoughts about flowers at the meeting of "Daily Word" listeners which will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the City Geijutsu Sôzô Senta-, north of Shinsakaemachi subway station. I'd also be happy to hear your comments about this telephone service. Following that meeting, I will preach at the English-language worship service of the Nagoya Union Church at Kinjô Kyôkai in Daikanchô beginning at 4:00 o'clock and you are invited to attend that service also. (3254)
Time Zones (90/04/25)
People in the United States lost an hour recently when all states except Hawaii, Alaska and part of Indiana changed to daylight saving time. The hour they lost will be regained in October when they change their clocks back to standard time. Standard time is the designated time for each of 24 time zones around the world. Meridians marking the boundaries of these zones are 15° apart beginning with the one that passes through Greenwich, England. Japan Standard Time is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich mean time. Previously, each city had its own local time, but this was confusing as railroads began transporting passengers over long distances. The man who proposed uniform time zones to solve this problem, American educator named Charles Dowd, was born 165 years ago today. His ideas were adopted by cities and railroads in the United States in 1883 and, later, Standard Time became common throughout the world. On United States territory, there are 8 different time zones while across the Soviet Union there are 12. The meeting of "Daily Word" listeners on Sunday afternoon at the City Geijutsu Sôzô Senta- will begin at 1:30, Japan Standard Time. You are invited to attend. (3255)
U.S.Census (90/04/26)
An official counting of the population of a country is called a census. The U. S. Constitution requires that a census be conducted every ten years to determine the number of representatives allotted each state. In the Congress, each state is granted two seats in the Senate, or Upper House, but seats in the Lower House, the House of Representatives, are allotted according to population. Consequently, a national census is taken in April of years ending in zero. This month, the nation's 21st official census was conducted. Census forms were sent to 85 million homes to be filled out and returned. People not receiving such forms or who did not respond are visited by government employees and asked questions orally. Fourteen questions are included on the short forms sent to most homes, but a longer, more detailed form was sent to every sixth home to compile a giant national survey. According to the 2nd chapter of Luke, it was because of a census taken during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. We hope you will be a part of the number who gather for the "Daily Word" Listeners Meeting on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the City Geijutsu Sôzô Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. The theme for the meeting is: Flowers. (3256)
Samuel F.B. Morse (90/04/27)
A systematic collection of rules or laws may be called a "code". Another meaning of "code" is a system of signals used to represent letters. Secret messages are sometimes communicated by means of a code. In the early days of telegraphy, it was necessary to send messages by codes and the most famous code, made up of dots and dashes, is called the Morse code. It was named after its creator, Samuel F.B. Morse, who was born in the United States 199 years ago today, on April 27, 1791. Morse, the son of a clergyman, studied art in England and became a highly respected portrait painter. He had become interested in electricity during his college days and, eventually, gave up painting to pursue his research and development of an electromagnetic telegraph. Along the way, he twice became a candidate for mayor of New York City. His scientific efforts were crowned with success in May, 1844, when he sent his first telegraphic messages from Baltimore to Washington. As Samuel Morse made clear, creativity may be expressed both in art and in technology. On Sunday afternoon at 1:30, we will hold a meeting of listeners to these telephone messages at the City Geijutsu Sôzô Senta-, north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. My wife and I would be happy to meet you there. (3257)
Camping Car (90/04/28)
In June of 1963, when our children were still small, we had returned to the United States by way of India and the Holy Land. At that time, we had purchased a camping car in Germany and toured through western European countries. In June of 1970, we traveled through the Soviet Union and Poland to Germany, where we again purchased a camping car for resale in the United States before returning to Japan. Although our family members were then seven years older, we were still able to find sleeping space for us all. My wife and I slept on the double bed made from the back seats. In the narrow space under the bed, our 14-year-old daughter slept on a mat. Our 17-year-old son slept above us on a cot under the pop-up roof and our other son, who was 12, slept on a hammock over the front seat. Needless to say, during our tour of eastern Europe, our family became very close to one another. Luggage was kept on a rack on the back part of the roof. We had a small icebox and a simple, alcohol-burning stove. Consequently, we were free to decide our own schedule and drive wherever we desired. We did not have to stop at campsites nor eat meals at restaurants. Japanese travelling overseas are known to travel in groups, but we had a family tour group of our own. (3258)
Between Scylla and Charbydis (90/04/02)
Washington Irving (90/04/03)
Foreign Language Classes (90/04/04)
Ômagari School (90/04/05)
Meteorological Robots (90/04/06)
Lodging in Warsaw (90/04/07)
Palm Sunday (90/04/08)
Water on a Frog's Face (90/04/09)
Women's Rights (90/04/10)
World Records (90/04/11)
Comic Strips (90/04/12)
Good Friday (90/04/13)
Exchange Rates in Poland (90/04/14)
Easter (90/04/15)
Heta no dôgu shirabe (90/04/16)
Flowers/Flours (90/04/17)
Zimbabwe (90/04/18)
Overexersion (90/04/19)
Bush and Broccoli (90/04/20)
Berlin/Munich (90/04/21)
Bread of Life (90/04/22)
A Bolt from the Blue (90/04/23)
Weeds and Flowers (90/04/24)
Time Zones (90/04/25)
U.S.Census (90/04/26)
Samuel F.B. Morse (90/04/27)
Camping Car (90/04/28)
A Green Pasture (90/04/29)
Silence is Golden (90/04/30)
Incarnation (90/04/01)