Walter Matthau (92/10/01)
People have various reasons for using a pseudonym, or fictitious name. Criminals use aliases to commit illegal acts. Writers may use pen names, or nom de plume, to conceal their identities and actors and musicians sometimes use stage names that are more attractive than their real names. An American actor who was born 72 years ago today in New York City had a good reason for changing his name. His parents named him Walter and he kept that name, but his family name was the problem. I'm not sure how to pronounce it, but it was spelled M-a-t-u-s-c-h-a-n-s-k-a-y-a-s-k-y. In the movies, he was known as Walter Matthau, spelled M-a-t-t-h-a-u, which is much easier to pronounce and to remember. Speaking of changes, the meeting place of the Bible Class I teach in Nagoya on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings of the month will be changed during October and November because of construction at the City Kyōikukan at Sakae. Next Tuesday, we will begin studying the Gospel of Luke at the City Geijutsu Sōzō Center north of the Shinsakaemachi subway station. From 6:30 to 7:30, I teach in Japanese and from 7:30 to 8:30, the same passage is reviewed English. Anyone interested is invited to attend either one or both classes. -- Clark Offner (4083)
Hostages Forgive (92/10/02)
Last month, four men who had been held as hostages in Beirut, Lebanon for many months or years met at an international peace conference in Northern Ireland, where mutual hatred between extremists continues to result in killings and injuries even today. These men spoke of the brutality of their captors who bound, gagged, blindfolded and beat them in mosquito-infested basements. Reading the news account of their remarks, I was deeply impressed with the words of the Church of England representative, Terry Weighte, and the Roman Catholic priest, Lawrence Jenco. Mr. Weighte said: "It takes no courage to put a bullet through the body of someone who you see as your enemy. It takes a great deal more courage to believe in the truth and to believe that the light is stronger than the darkness." After being told by his captors he had just five hours to live, he composed a farewell note to his family and friends. In it, he wrote of his would-be executioners, "I want you to know that I forgive them and would like you to forgive them too." Similarly, in his last letter, Rev. Jenco wrote, "I would like to die with the words on my lips of the Lord: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do [Luke 23:34]." Such an attitude is quite unnatural for persons who have suffered extreme physical, mental and spiritual agony over a long time. How do you think it can be explained? -- Clark Offner (4084)
"Conversation" with a Bulgarian (92/10/03)
We had spent the night in our camping car in a lonely spot off of a country road in Bulgaria. While having our breakfast, we were visited by a man who came to our car in a pony-pulled cart. He wore a military-type cap with a Communist star on the front. With a friendly smile, he began talking, seemingly asking us questions but we could not understand. Gesturing, I tried to explain that we were an American family returning to the United States from Japan, naming the main cities we had visited along the way. He spoke the names of John and Robert Kennedy and drew his finger across his throat, informing me that he knew of their assassinations. He seemed to be asking if I thought certain countries were good or bad and was interested to know the comparative sizes of horses and width of roads in the U.S. and Bulgaria. As it was Sunday morning, I tried to ask him if there was a Christian Church in the area, pointing to a cross on a book I had, to the date on a calendar and putting my hands together to symbolize prayer. He then pointed to the Communist star on his cap and gave me a thumbs down sign of his disapproval. We did not get to church that day, but we enjoyed this "conversation" with a Bulgarian citizen. -- Clark Offner (4085)
Vows (92/10/04)
A vow is a solemn pledge or promise. Vows usually have a religious significance. Some vows are made to God and others are made in the presence of God, with God as the witness. In a traditional Christian wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange vows to love and honor each other as long as they both shall live. In the Bible, there are many examples of the vows people made and there are cautions that vows or promises should not be made rashly or in haste. According to Deuteronomy 23:21, it is a sin to make a vow and not keep it and the philosopher who wrote the book called Ecclesiastes noted it is "better not to promise at all than to make a promise and not keep it" [5:5]. In these days of broken promises or vows by married couples, by politicians and other public figures, it is well to recall these exhortations. In chapter 14 of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus urged people to carefully consider the consequences of their decision to become his disciple. Like a man who builds a tower or a king who considers going to war, they must carefully consider whether or not they are able to successfully finish what they began. Today also, we should not make promises we are unable to keep, but because of our weakness, we may need divine help in order to keep them. -- Clark Offner (4086)
Shaka ni Buppō (92/10/05)
The sermon delivered by a pastor during the worship service in a Christian church is called a 'sekkyō' in Japanese, but in Japanese Buddhism, whose teaching is sometimes called 'Buppō', the religious lecture, or sermon, of a Buddhist priest is usually called a 'seppō'. Thus, a Japanese proverb denoting completely unnecessary and useless activity is: 'Shaka ni Buppō', or preaching Buddhism to Buddha. In English, there is no proverb about preaching a sermon to God or to Jesus Christ. The equivalent proverb in English has a completely different atmosphere. "Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs", we say, which means do not offer advice to people who are more experienced than you are. I'm not sure if my grandmothers ever sucked eggs, but if they did they were certainly more experienced in that activity than I am for I have no recollection of ever sucking an egg. --Clark Offner (4087)
Political Reform (92/10/06)
When a machine breaks down or fails to function as it should, it needs to be repaired. When a political system has obvious defects and is seen to be unjust and manipulated for the good of a few rather than for the benefit of the many, it needs to be reformed. So-called political reform has been on the agenda of Japanese governments for a long time, but there seems to be little progress made and little genuine incentive for such reform by the party in power. Another financial scandal of illegal political donations continues to unfold and the disparity of the effect of individual votes in various districts has long been recognized. Yet the necessary reforms are not made. What do you think about this problem? Why do the same kind of financial scandals repeatedly arise? Why are not changes made to make the weight of the votes of all voters more equal? Why don't Japanese voters insist upon political reform? Why do the same politicians continue to be elected to public office despite their illegal or unethical activities? I would like to read opinions regarding this matter and any suggestions about how to change the situation for the better. Send your essay for correction and publication to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. -- Clark Offner (4088)
Yom Kippur (92/10/07)
According to the Gregorian calendar in general use in the West and in Japan, today is the 7th day of the 10th month, called October in English. But according to the calendar used by Jews, it is the 10th day of the 7th month, called Tishri. This special day, Yom Kippur, or Day of atonement, is the most sacred Hebrew holy day. Although it is common to think of a day beginning in the morning, in Jewish tradition, a new day begins in the evening. The regular Jewish Sabbath, or day of rest, for example, lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening. This year, Yom Kippur falls in the middle of the week, but in Leviticus 23:32 this holy day is called "a Sabbath of Sabbaths". On this day, devout Jews not only refrain from working, they also refrain from eating from yesterday evening until this evening. For them, today is a day of prayer, seeking forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The English word "atonement" ("at-one-ment") denotes a reconciliation of formerly hostile parties. In the Old Testament, the high priest offered sacrifices on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the Israelites, but according to the New Testament, Christ's sacrifice on the cross became the atonement for the sins of all people. --Clark Offner (4089)
Nice (92/10/08)
Living languages, like living human beings, continue to change. Languages or people that do not change are said to be dead. In fact, meanings of some words have changed over the years into almost the very opposite of their original meanings. Take the word "nice", for example. In modern English, "nice" may mean pleasing, enjoyable, attractive or courteous. We may speak of nice weather, of a nice dress worn by a lady with nice face, who comes from a nice family. But the word "nice" comes from a Latin word for "ignorant". In the 14th and 15th centuries, it meant "foolish" or "wanton", so to refer to someone as a "nice person" then was not a compliment. The meaning gradually changed, moving from "foolish" to "petty" to "fastidious" to "coy" to "shy" to "reserved" on the way to its present meaning. Even today, however, a hint of the original meaning is sometimes included in the nuance of the expression "a nice distinction", which may mean a subtle distinction or a rather "nit-picking, foolish" one. One reason for continuing to make new translations of the Bible is because meanings of words change and some words in the classical translation do not communicate the correct meaning to people today. --Clark Offner (4090)
Cervantes (92/10/09)
Native English speakers in Japan sometimes complain of the irregular pronunciation of English words that result from their being written in the 'katakana' script. Their complaint is valid, but at least the 'katakana' version is usually similar to the original pronunciation. This is not always the case with foreign words that have entered the English language from French or Spanish in their original spellings. For example, do you recognize the name Don Kwiksut? Probably not, but that is how many Americans pronounce the name of the hero in the famous masterpiece of Cervantes, the Spanish novelist, dramatist and poet who was born 445 years ago today, on October 9, 1547. The hero's name, spelled D-o-n Q-u-i-x-o-t-e, when written in 'katakana', is similar to the original Spanish pronunciation. In his novel, 'Don Quixote de la Mancha', the author blends humor, pathos and philosophy in his narratives of the adventures of the chivalrous country gentleman with a fantastic imagination who idealistically sought to "defend the oppressed and avenge the injured". The unselfish and brave novelist who never became prosperous himself has been compared to the famous hero he created. Cervantes has written: "Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice." -- Clark Offner (4091)
Danube River (92/10/10)
Travelling through East Europe in a camping car on our way back to the U.S. for a full year's furlough in 1970, we had many suitcases filled with clothes for our family of five. Usually, they posed no problems as we passed through customs from one country to the next, but as we were leaving Bulgaria, the customs officials told us to take all of our suitcases down from the luggage rack and open them. I protested, but it was to no avail. I had to untie the tarpaulin covering the suitcases, unstrap them and carry them down. I was told by an English-speaking examiner that a large quantity of opium had been discovered in someone's luggage the preceding day and, as a result, more stringent measures were being enforced. After this customs examination, we crossed the famous 2,850 kilometer long Danube River that originated in West Germany and crossed or formed part of the borders of Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Rumania and Bulgaria before entering the Black Sea. In my childhood, I had often heard a song or melody about the "Blue Danube", but I was disappointed to see the color of the water passing under the bridge. It was not blue at all. It was a dirty brown, which is the color beautiful rivers and streams become when cities, factories and common people use them as natural sewers. -- Clark Offner (4092)
Who Is This Man? (92/10/11)
The first three Gospels in the New Testament, which are very similar in character, are called Synoptic Gospels. All three of them relate the miracle of Jesus calming a raging storm while in a boat on Lake Galilee. Following this strange event, his astonished disciples asked themselves, "Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" [Mark 4:41] Later, Jesus asked his disciples "who do people say I am?" and then, "who do 'you' say I am?" [8:27, 29]. This is a basic question facing readers of the Gospels. They must consider not only what other people think about Jesus, but who they themselves consider him to be. The fourth Gospel is of a different character. It is more philosophical, providing much material for meditation. In this Gospel of John, Jesus himself answers the question posed in the Synoptics, using a number of different figurative expressions. He said, for example, "I am the bread of life" [John 6:35], "I am the light of the world" [8:12], "I am the good shepherd" [10:11], "I am the way, the truth and the life" [14:6] and the cryptic expression used of God in the Old Testament, "I Am Who I Am" [13:19]. Each of these statements has deep significance and broad implications. Looking back over human history, questions relating to the essential character of Jesus Christ continue to be relevant even today. -- Clark Offner (4093)
Busybody (92/10/12)
Japanese workers have been accused of working too much, of overdoing. The Greek word, 'periergos', literally meaning "over work" or "overdo", has a negative meaning and is translated into English as a "busybody". A "busybody" is a "person who meddles or pries into the affairs of others". This word is found in the New Testament book of I Timothy, chapter 5, verse 13, referring to young widows who go from house to house gossiping and meddling in other's affairs. In English, a person who meddles may be reprimanded with the words: "Mind your own business". In Japanese, such a person might be told to: "Drive away flies from your own head", 'Onore no atama no hae o oe'. In English, a person who pries may be called nosy, but such people are not popular. We should concentrate on our own affairs rather than offering unwanted advice to others. --Clark Offner (4094)
The White House (92/10/13)
In 1790, the United States Congress decided to create a brand new city to become the federal capital. The chosen site was a barren expanse of land along the Potomac River which forms the border between the states of Maryland and Virginia. A French engineer was selected to supervise the overall design of the city, but architects were invited to submit plans for the Capitol and the President's home. From among the many designs submitted for the latter, that of James Hoban, an Irish architect living in South Carolina, was chosen. Exactly two hundred years ago today, on October 13, 1792, the cornerstone of the presidential residence was laid, making it the first federal structure to be built in the new capital. The building was still unfinished when John Adams, the nation's second president, moved in in November 1800. Since that time, every president has occupied that residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Over the years, porticos and a wing have been added along with other renovations. In 1902, that mansion was officially designated the White House and more than a million visitors pass through its rooms every year. (Writers of essays should mail their essays to reach me by this Saturday.) --Clark Offner (4095)
Kangaroos (92/10/14)
The Japanese word 'fukuro' is translated into English as "bag" or "pouch", but if an honorific "o" is added to the word, it means one's mother. Mothers of some animals have a pouch into which their young are put after birth. In Japanese, such animals are called 'yūtai dōbutsu', meaning animals having pouches. In English, they are called marsupials. Most marsupials are native to Australia, the most well-known of which is the kangaroo. Like other mammals, female kangaroos stop growing when they reach adulthood, but males continue to grow as long as they live. Kangaroos are born blind and are only about 2 1/2 centimeters long at birth, so they are kept in the mother's pouch for several months, nourished by their mother's milk. Some kangaroos live in trees. Their strong hind legs enable them to make jumps of up to six meters. One interesting explanation of the origin of the word "kangaroo" is that that was the answer given by Australian natives when the English explorer, Captain James Cook, asked them what those strange-looking animals were. He noted their answer in his records, but what he didn't know was that in the local dialect "kan-ga-roo" means "I don't know". --Clark Offner (4096)
Vergil (92/10/15)
This 15th day of October has been designed World Poetry Day, aiming to unite "the nations of the world by the invisible ties of poetry." There are many different kinds of poetry in the world. In traditional English poetry, final words of certain lines in a verse rhyme or meter, is more popular. In Japanese poetry, the number of syllables in lines is specified. Today is the birthday of one of the world's greatest poets, Publius Vergilius Maro, who was born in 70 B.C. This ancient Roman poet, who wrote in Latin, is known as 'Uerugirius' in Japanese but as Vergil (or Virgil) in English. His earlier poems give delightful pictures of the rural countryside of his boyhood, but his masterpiece, the 'Aeneid', is a 12 book epic glorifying the origins of Rome. Its Trojan hero, Aeneas, whose descendants founded Rome, manifests such Roman virtues as piety, stern rectitude, devotion to family and state. The poem is written in a very regular style: six rhythmical units to a line. The following quotation reminds me of the Apostle Paul's words in II Corinthians 1:4: "Knowing sorrow well, I learn the way to succor the distressed." -- Clark Offner (4097)
World Food Day (92/10/16)
These days, when the United Nations is mentioned, people in Japan may think especially of the Peace Keeping Operations (PKO) in which Japanese Self-Defense Forces are participating or the attempt to stop the fighting in Yugoslavia, but various specialized agencies of the U.N. are continuously in operation, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which officially came into existence on October 16, 1945, 47 years ago today. The purpose of this agency is to increase production from farms, forests and fisheries, improve distribution, marketing, nutrition and rural conditions in general. To broaden citizen understanding of the problems of hunger, malnutrition and poverty that exist in all parts of the world, the U.N. has designated October 16th "World Food Day". Certain countries in Africa are again experiencing a severe famine which is causing great suffering and many deaths. Human beings with humane feelings in affluent countries will support efforts to alleviate that sad situation. -- Clark Offner (4098)
A Movie Location (92/10/17)
As we journeyed in our camping car along the road from the Bulgarian border to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, we were surprised at the kind of traffic we saw at times going in the opposite direction. There were very few cars on the road, but we saw men on horses wearing strange costumes with peculiar headgear. We wondered if this was typical Rumanian dress or whether there was some special reason for it. Then, we saw some horse-pulled carts with a huge wicker basket in them. Behind some of them a small, old-fashioned cannon was being pulled. When we passed by a large field full of men in soldier uniforms, my curiosity got the better of me. I stopped the car and approached the group to try to understand the meaning of these strange sights. One man unsheathed the sword hanging at his side and brandished it at me but, fortunately, he was only kidding. I tried to ask for an explanation, but verbal communication was unsuccessful. Even when an "interpreter" was summoned, he spoke German but not English. Then one man in the group gestured like he was taking pictures with a movie camera and I finally understood that this was a movie location and filming had just been completed. I understood that I could see the scene in a movie theater some months later, but I regretted we had not arrived a little earlier to see the filming taking place. -- Clark Offner (4099)
Humility (92/10/18)
The English word "humble" comes from the Latin word for earth, ground or soil. It literally denotes something or someone near the ground or lowly. A humble person is one who recognizes his or her weaknesses or shortcomings. Such a person is not proud or self-assertive, but modest. In the 4th chapter of the New Testament Letter of James, the self-centered attitudes of people are criticized and an Old Testament verse is quoted: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." The readers are then advised: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." Humility is a basic Christian virtue. Therefore a "proud Christian" is a contradiction. F.B. Meyer has written: "I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other; and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; and that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts." A modern translation of the first words of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:3, are: "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor." -- Clark Offner (4100)
Kotsubu demo (92/10/19)
A chef may make use of both pepper and yeast. The former is used to add a pungent taste to food and the latter is used in breads or cakes to make the dough rise. In both cases, only a small amount is sufficient to cause the desired effect. According to a Japanese proverb, even a small grain of pepper has a very sharp taste, 'sansho wa kotsubu demo piriri to karai', which reminds us that tiny things or small people may have surprisingly great influence. In the present age of nuclear power it is abundantly clear that size is not the criterion of power. Jesus once compared the influence of the Kingdom of God to leaven or yeast [Luke 13: 20]. It takes only a little bit of yeast to make a large batch of dough rise. Even so, the influence of a small group of Jesus' disciples has now spread around the world and a tiny bit of faith can have a surprising result. --Clark Offner (4101)
"Kamikaze" (92/10/20)
In English, "Kamikaze" denote a pilot trained to make a suicidal crash attack or an airplane loaded with explosives to be used in such an attack. These definitions come from the 'kamikaze tokkōtai' special air attack corps of the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy formed toward the end of the Pacific War. In Japanese, 'kamikaze' means divine wind. This word was used of a storm that occurred in Kyushu 718 years ago today, in 1274. At that time, the Mongol chief, Kublai Khan, was planning to invade Japan to force it to submit to his rule. An armada of seven or eight hundred vessels carrying 30,000 Mongol, Chinese and Korean troops and sailors had gathered in Hakata Bay to make an attack the following day. Japanese troops were at a disadvantage because of inferior training, experience and weapons. They were poised to resist the invasion but the storm that providentially occurred forced the invaders to retreat at a great loss of life and materiel. Interestingly enough, a greater storm routed an even larger armada four years later. Not surprisingly, these storms were called "divine winds". The writer of the 103rd Psalm also saw the stormy winds on the sea as acts of God. -- Clark Offner (4102)
Trafalgar (92/10/21)
One on the most important monuments in London is that found in the center of Trafalgar Square. Known as the Nelson column it has a statue of the great British admiral, Horatio Nelson, at the top. Today a ceremony will be held in Trafalgar Square commemorating the victory of the British navy over French-Spanish fleets off the Spanish coast near Cape Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. The ceremony is also a memorial observance for Lord Nelson who was killed during that battle which ended Napoleon's power on the sea. Nelson's successful strategy was to divide his fleet into two sections, penetrate the enemy line in two different places and engage enemy vessels in separate battles. As a result, 20 enemy ships were captured but no British ships were lost. It was at the beginning of this battle that Nelson signaled the famous words that have resounded in British ears for the past 187 years: "England expects that every man will do his duty." A "duty" is an act or course of action required by custom, law, religion or morality. All people are morally obligated to fulfil their duties, but the Bible makes clear that a person's basic duty is toward God rather than toward a nation or any other human organization. --Clark Offner (4103)
French (92/10/22)
If you have ever taken a meal in a fast food restaurant, you have probably eaten thin strips of potatoes fried in deep fat, which are called French fries, or French fried potatoes. If you thought about the meaning of the word, you probably associated potatoes prepared in that manner with France. In this case, however, the word "french" is not related to the country but to the method of preparing food before cooking. When used as a verb, "french" means to cut into thin strips. Meats, such as lamb chops or beef tenderloin, and other vegetables, such as string beans, may be "frenched" before cooking. Belgians, in fact, claim that French fried potatoes originated in Belgium. A certain kind of salad dressing, consisting of seasoned oil and vinegar, is called French dressing. French toast is the name given to sliced bread dipped in milk and egg batter and lightly fried. French is famous for its great variety of kinds and preparations of food. Thomas Moore has written, in reference to France, "Who can help loving the land that has taught us six hundred and eighty-five ways to dress eggs?" But French President Charles De Gaulle once complained: "How can you be expected to govern a country that has two hundred and forty-six kinds of cheese?" -- Clark Offner (4104)
"Frost Fall" (92/10/23)
There are a number of Chinese characters related to moisture that include the character meaning rain in their upper half. They include the characters for cloud, fog, snow, hail, dew and frost. Of the 24 seasonal designations in the traditional Japanese calendar, two are related to rain, two to snow, two to dew and one to frost. According to that calendar, today, October 23rd, begins the season called 'sōkō', or "frost fall". It is the season signalling the end of autumn, following the season meaning "cold dew"(kanro) and preceding that signifying the onset of winter (rittō). Both dew and frost denote tiny accumulations of moisture that form on surfaces outdoors. Dew is in liquid form, but frost is made up of frozen droplets. The presence of frost on leaves and grass indicates that winter is indeed approaching. In English, a person with white hair may be said to have a "frosty head", but a "frosty smile" is a smile lacking warmth. According to the poetic words of Elihu in chapters 32-37 of the Old Testament book of Job, it is God who "takes water from the earth and turns it into drops of rain" [36:27], who "commands snow to fall to the earth" [37:6] and whose breath turns water into ice or dew into frost [37:10]. -- Clark Offner (4105)
Bucharest (92/10/24)
In the Romanian capital of Bucharest, we parked our camper beside a large park. We strolled through it along with many others, but it was obvious that we were foreigners. A boy asked us for cigarettes and bubble gum and a man handed me a letter addressed to "Radio Free Europe" in Munich and asked me to mail in Germany. Our children were happy to see some refreshment stands in the park and we stopped to have a snack. The popcorn was quite bland, however, since it was without butter or salt and what we thought was chocolate ice cream turned out to be something quite different. Later, as we looked for a restaurant, we were happy to see an English sign: "Automat". In New York, we had eaten in Automats, which were cafeterias in which food was visible in vending machines behind small glass doors. When coins were inserted, the doors could be opened and the food taken out. We thought we could easily get the food we wanted at an Automat without a language problem. Unfortunately, however, this Automat only sold cigarettes. When we did enter a restaurant, the waitress immediately opened a bottle of beer, which we did not want, and poured some out for us. We could not read the menu and could not speak the language so we pointed to the bread and sausage we saw the people eating at the next table. It didn't taste as good as it looked. Then, we made the mistake of asking for ice cream, which cost more than all the rest of the meal. -- Clark Offner (4106)
Spiritual Armor (92/10/25)
The English word "arm" may denote a part of the human body. Arms may be used to help or hurt others. Another meaning of "arm" is "weapon". Weapons also may be used to attack or defend. "Armor" is a covering worn on the body to protect it against the arms of an enemy. The Bible teaches that believers in God are engaged in a spiritual battle against evil. In the 6th chapter of Ephesians, part of the Christians' armor are indicated, including a breastplate of righteousness, a belt of truth, a shield of faith, and a helmet of salvation. These elements in the armor are defensive, to protect the wearer from enemy attack. But there are two parts which have a more positive implication. The sword, which may be used either to defend or attack, is the word of God. Christians need to be well acquainted with God's Word and make effective use of it. But there is another, somewhat surprising element in the Christian military dress: shoes of readiness to announce the Gospel of peace. Even when we are at war, we should always be ready to stand, walk or run to advance the cause of peace. Recently, in Japan, there has been much talk about "peace keeping operations". Keeping peace is important, but, in Matthew 5:9, Jesus taught that "peacemakers" are the true children of God. -- Clark Offner (4107)
The "Golden Rule" (92/10/26)
The Japanese term 'kingen', literally meaning "golden word", is used for various maxims or wise sayings handed down over the ages, but in English, the "golden rule" is used for a specific saying of Jesus given in his Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12. The usual form of this precept is: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In the Analects of Confucius, or 'Rongo', there is a similar adage but it is given in a negative form: 'onore no hossezaru tokoro o hito ni hodokosu nakare', "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you." This has been called the "silver rule" by some who consider it less precious than the "golden rule" because it is easier to obey. We can obey Confucius' words by passively doing nothing, but Jesus' words require positive action. It is well to remember both rules and to follow them. --Clark Offner (4108)
I.M.Singer (92/10/27)
An American who hears the word "singer" will naturally think of a person who sings, but some older Japanese women may think of a sewing machine. (Incidentally, I find it interesting that the Japanese word 'mashin' may denote a machine in general or a motorcycle or an automobile in particular, while the meaning of the word 'mishin' is limited to a sewing machine.) The Singer sewing machine, operated by a foot pedal and produced by the I.M. Singer Company, was introduced into Japan in 1860. This company was founded by Isaac Merritt Singer, who was born 181 years ago today on October 27, 1811. Singer was an inventor who patented a sewing machine in 1851. He continued to make improvements on it and his company produced many of those machines. A lawsuit was brought against the Singer Company by Elias Howe, however, who had received a patent for his sewing machine five years earlier. Howe won the suit, but Singer continued to be the major manufacturer of such machines. Other sewing machines had been invented before the one for which Howe received a patent so, as is the case with many inventions, sewing machines resulted from the activity of many minds. --Clark Offner (4109)
Obesity (92/10/28)
A person who is overweight may be called "fat", but there are more tactful ways to express that condition. "Stout" denotes a thickset, bulky figure in particular. "Portly" adds the implication of a somewhat dignified appearance. "Plump" implies a fullness of figure with well-rounded curves while "rotund" suggests the shape of a sphere and "chubby" is often used for children. Both "corpulent" and "obese" imply a disfiguring excess of fat, which would apply to sumo wrestler, Konishiki, for example. Obesity has not been a common problem in Japan in the past, but times are changing. A Ministry of Education survey indicates that 8.38 percent of 10-year-old elementary school students weigh 20 percent more than the standard weight, up 1.6 percent from 1983. Reasons given for this increase are: children walk less and a shortage of open spaces/playgrounds restricts outdoor physical exercise; video games and comic books keep children indoors; going to cram schools makes meals late and irregular. Vending machines and fast food restaurants offer a wide variety of high-calorie food and drink. Family problems may cause children to try to ease stress by eating. A wholesome diet and a healthy lifestyle are important factors in keeping bodies healthy. --Clark Offner (4110)
James Boswell (92/10/29)
Today, October 29th, is the anniversary of the birth of James Boswell, who was born into the family of a Scottish judge in Edinburgh in 1740. Boswell studied law but his main interest was in literature. When he was 23 years old, he first met the English essayist, poet and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson, and later became his companion, friend and admirer. After becoming a lawyer, he expressed his literary inclination in various writings, but he is now chiefly remembered for his masterpiece, "The life of Samuel Johnson." This book, which appeared in 1791, is now considered one of the world's greatest biographies. The episodes in Johnson's life which Boswell chose to relate are skillfully strung together in an artistic manner. He not only recorded many of Johnson's conversations but added his own critical judgments. It is a tribute to Boswell's literary ability that Samuel Johnson is better known by many today as the hero of Boswell's biography rather than as the author of his own works. Dr. Johnson is famous for the dictionary he produced, but Boswell has suggested his own definition of a friend in the following words: "A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself." -- Clark Offner (4111)
Hostages Forgive (92/10/02)
"Conversation" with a Bulgarian (92/10/03)
Vows (92/10/04)
Shaka ni Buppō (92/10/05)
Political Reform (92/10/06)
Yom Kippur (92/10/07)
Nice (92/10/08)
Cervantes (92/10/09)
Danube River (92/10/10)
Who Is This Man? (92/10/11)
Busybody (92/10/12)
The White House (92/10/13)
Kangaroos (92/10/14)
Vergil (92/10/15)
World Food Day (92/10/16)
A Movie Location (92/10/17)
Humility (92/10/18)
Kotsubu demo (92/10/19)
"Kamikaze" (92/10/20)
Trafalgar (92/10/21)
French (92/10/22)
"Frost Fall" (92/10/23)
Bucharest (92/10/24)
Spiritual Armor (92/10/25)
The "Golden Rule" (92/10/26)
I.M.Singer (92/10/27)
Obesity (92/10/28)
James Boswell (92/10/29)
"Quakers" (92/10/30)
Hungary Border (92/10/31)
Walter Matthau (92/10/01)