Awake!, May 8, 1969
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Popular Customs—Do They Please God? PAGE 3
Wealth of Color from a Bulb
PAGE 9
Noise Pollution and Your Hearing
Journey into Sight
MAY 8.1969
THE REASON FOR THIS MAGAZINE
News sources that are able to keep you awake to the vital issues of our times must be unfettered by censorship and selfish interests. "Awake!" has no fetters. It recognizes facts, faces facts, is free to publish facts. It is not bound by political ties; it is unhampered by traditional creeds. This magazine keeps itself free, that it may speak freely to you. But it does not abuse its freedom. It maintains integrity to truth.
The viewpoint of "Awake!" is not narrow, but is international. "Awake!" has its own correspondents in scores of nations. Its articles are read in many lands, in many languages, by millions of persons.
In every issue "Awake!" presents vital topics on which you should be informed. It features penetrating articles on social conditions and offers sound counsel for meeting the problems of everyday life. Current news from every continent passes in quick review. Attention is focused on activities in the fields of government and commerce about which you should know. Straightforward discussions of religious issues alert you to matters of vital concern. Customs and people in many lands, the marvels of creation, practical sciences and points of human interest are all embraced in its coverage. "Awake!" provides wholesome, instructive reading for every member of the family.
"Awakel" pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of a delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the establishment of God's righteous new order in this generation.
Get acquainted with "Awake!" Keep awake by reading "Awake!"
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CONTENTS
Popular Customs—Do They Please God? 3
The Use of the Cross 4
Religious Images and Pictures 5
Days for Honoring Humans
and Institutions 6
Easter and Christmas 7
Do You Really Want to Please God? 8
Wealth of Color from a Bulb 9
High Ground 11
Noise Pollution and Your Hearing 12
Hot and Cold 16
Journey into Sight 17
Fish Protection 19
Supermarket Shopping
—Hong Kong Style 20
Missionaries Who Know the Purpose
of Their Training 25
"Your Word Is Truth"
Why Believe the Bible? 27
Watching the World 29
POPULAR CUSTOMS -do they please God?
PEOPLE have many customs. They have their ways of eating, drinking, dressing, speaking and conducting their business. Yet out of the people of all the nations Almighty God gathers persons to be servants of his. He does not require that these individuals change all their popular customs.
For example, it may be the custom in one locality to dive on a diet that is quite different from that consumed elsewhere in the world. The style in which the food is prepared and eaten may likewise be very different. God does not set down extensive rules to regulate such matters of life. (1 Cor. 10:25) However, at the same time, Jehovah God expects his servants to set a good example, and not to be a source of stumbling to others because of their conduct.—1 Cor. 8:13; 10:31-33.
This does not mean that all popular customs are approved by God. Some definitely are displeasing to him. But which ones? How is a person to determine this?
It is really not very difficult to do. God has provided a guide—His written Word the Bible. If a custom is in any way in conflict with Bible principles, it is to be
avoided. If it is rooted in false religion,
obviously it is displeasing to God.—Matt.
15:6.
Interestingly, many popular customs that have survived till today are of a religious nature, and some of these are based on pagan religious practices. In warning the Israelites against such customs of the surrounding nations, Jehovah told his people that they should "not learn the way of the nations at all." (Jer. 10:2) This was a loving warning, because those pagan customs were based on falsehood, misrepresenting God and his purpose. Often those customs had a bad effect on the morals of those practicing them.
For a like reason the Bible counsels us today: "Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2) This is a warning not to become involved in worldly ways or customs that displease God. Let us, therefore, examine some popular customs to determine how God views them.
MANY churchgoers wear a cross, or have a crucifix in the home, and crosses are found in many church buildings. But did you know that the cross actually has a pagan origin?
The facts show that, rather than being the
exclusive symbol of Christianity, the cross was in use centuries before the birth of Christ. This is admitted by The Catholic Encyclopedia (1908 edition, Vol. IV, page 517):
"The sign of the cross, represented in its simplest form by a crossing of two lines at right angles, greatly anedates, in both the East and the West, the introduction of Christianity. It goes back to a very remote period of human civilization."
Showing the pagan religious origin of the cross, the book The Ancient Church by clergyman W. D. Killen says:
"From the most remote antiquity the cross was venerated in Egypt and Syria; it was held in equal honour by the Buddhists of the East; . . . about the commencement of our era, the pagans were wont to make the sign of a cross upon the forehead in the celebration of some of their sacred mysteries." - Page 316.
And, further showing its connection with Babylonish religion, W. E. Vine, in An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (Vol. 1, page 256), says that the cross "had its origin in ancient Chaldea [Babylon], and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau [or T], the initial of his name)."
Instrument Used in Jesus' Execution
But was not Jesus put to death on a two-beamed cross? The Bible indicates that he was
not. At Acts 5:30 and 10:39, in both Catholic and Protestant Bible translations, we are told that Jesus died on a "tree." The word "tree" here translates the Greek word wylon. Concerning this word and the word stauros, translated "cross" in some versions, The Companion Bible says on page 186 in the "Appendixes":
"Homer [ancient Greek poet] uses the word stauros of an ordinary pole or stake, or a single piece of timber. And this is the meaning and usage of the word throughout the Greek classics. It never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle, but always of one piece alone. Hence the use of the word eulon [or eylon, meaning a timber] in connection with the manner of our Lord's death. . . . The evidence is thus complete, that the Lord was put to death upon an upright stake, and not on two pieces of timber placed at any angle."
Showing how and when such use of the cross began among professed Christians, W. E. Vine, in his book An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, says:
"By the middle of the 3rd century A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had [made a distorted imitation of], certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, . . . with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the cross of Christ."—Vol. 1, page 256.
It is not normal to cherish and adore the instrument used to murder someone we love. Who would think of kissing the revolver that had been used to murder a loved one, or of wearing it around one's neck?
This being so, and the cross being proved to be a pagan religious symbol, persons who have worn such an object or had crucifixes in their homes, thinking that this honored God and his Son Jesus
Christ, are faced with an important decision. Will they continue to use them? Will they even keep them? Love of the truth and the desire to please God in all things will help in making the right decision. Deut. 7:26.
RELIGIOUS IMAGES AND PICTURES
EVER since the time of ancient Egypt and Babylon, the use of religious images, shrines and pictures in the home has been popular. These have been cherished by persons who believed that they would bring safety and blessing to their homes. But is Jehovah God pleased with this practice?
Showing his displeasure with religious images as aids to devotion, God gave his law to the Israelites forbidding their use. Moreover, he warned them against desiring the gold and silver on images they found among pagan peoples. Ex. 20:4, 5; Deut. 7:25.
Did God's attitude change with the introduction of Christianity? No, for the Bible shows that Christians likewise avoided the use of images. (Acts 17:29) Following the apostle John's counsel to "guard yourselves from idols," they walked "by faith, not by sight." They put their complete trust in the invisible God. —1 John 5:21; 2 Cor. 5:7.
Secular history agrees with this. As M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia (Vol. IV, page 503) tells us: "Images were unknown in the worship of the primitive Christians." Since the early Christians kept their homes free from religious images, where did images of Christ get started?
The book The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries by Dr. Augustus Neander, page 183, tells us: "Heathens, who, like Alexander Severus [Roman emperor of the third century C.E.], saw something Divine in Christ, and seets, which mixed heathenism and Christianity together, were the first who made use of images of
Christ." Since no images of Christ were used by the early Christians, it is evident also that they had no images of Mary, Jesus' mother.
Does this mean that it is wrong to have any art objects, such as pictures or statues, in the home? No, for there is a difference between mere objects of art and objects of religious devotion.
What is it, then, that determines whether a statue or picture is displeasing to God? This is it reverenced or worshiped, perhaps candles or food being placed before it, as in some countries? Does it misrepresent the Bible? Or does it portray pagan symbols?
What if we should have in our homes such religious images and pictures that are displeasing to God? Do we have guidance from the past as to what we should do with them? Well, what did faithful Jacob do when he found false gods among the members of his household? He got rid
of them. (Gen. 35:2-4) And what did young King Josiah do as a result of starting to search for the true God? He cleaned the graven images out of Judah, breaking them to pieces. (2 Chron. 34:3, 4) What fine examples of zeal in giving glory to Jehovah God!—Ps. 115:1-8, 18.
IN MANY places it is the custom to set aside days to honor "saints," or famous persons, dead or alive. Is this pleasing to God?
The Bible warns against giving worshipful honors to creatures, so holidays that tend in that direction are not in harmony with God's will.—Acts 10:25, 26; 14:11-15; Rom. 1:25; Rev. 19:10.
Some holidays or celebrations honor and exalt nations or worldly institutions. For example, a day is set aside in October to commemorate the founding of the United Nations organization. Also a day may be established by a nation to honor an event of political significance or to call to memory some feature of its military history. Days are even set aside to stimulate loyalty to one's state or one's school. How do true Christians view such celebrations?
Jesus Christ gave good counsel to keep in mind when he said of his true followers: "They are no part of the world." (John 17:16) Now consider: Would Christians really be "no part of the world" if they shared in worldly holidays? Rather than imitate the world, true Christians wisely "quit being fashioned after this system of things." (Rom. 12:2) Although they render to officials proper obedience and respect, they look to the kingdom of God as mankind's only hope.
Some customs that may seem quite innocent lead in the same direction as the practices mentioned above. Consider, for instance, birthday celebrations.
Only two birthdays are reported in the Bible, and these are of pagans. (Gen. 40: 20-22; Matt. 14:6-10) Why does the Bible report the birthdays of only such persons, and say nothing about worshipers of Jehovah celebrating birthdays? The Bible says that what it records is for our admonition. (Rom. 15:4) If we are seeking to please God, is there not something that we should learn from this? Is it not true that birthday celebrations draw attention to the creature, making him the center of attention rather than the Creator?
What was the attitude of early Christians toward such celebrations? Historian Neander says: "The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general." They shunned birthday celebrations as of pagan origin. Those who earnestly seek to please God wisely avoid customs that have their origin with false religion.
Easter and Christmas
EASTER is Christendom's chief religious holiday, said to be held in memory of Christ's being raised from the dead. But did Christ give a command to celebrate his resurrection?
No, he did not. History books tell us that Easter was
not celebrated by early Christians and that it is based on ancient pagan practices. The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910, Vol. VIII, p. 828, says:
"There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament. . . The sanctity of special times was an idea absent from the minds of the first Christians."
Also, Dr. Alexander Hislop says of Easter customs:
"The popular observances that still attend the period of its celebration amply confirm the testimony of history as to its Babylonian character. The hot cross buns of Good Friday, and the dyed eggs of Pasch or Easter Sunday, figured in the Chaldean [Babylonian] rites just as they do now."—The Two Babylons, pp. 107, 108.
What about Christmas? By checking reference works in a public library, you will find that it was unknown among the earliest Christians. Jesus instructed his followers to observe a memorial of his death, not of his birth.—1 Cor. 11:24-26.
As for the origin of the date for Christmas, The World Book Encyclopedia says:
"In A.D. 354, Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun."—1966 edition, Vol. 3, p. 416.
Since the date of Christmas is of pagan origin, it should not seem strange that the customs of Christmas are also of pagan origin. Thus the Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics by James Hastings tells us:
"Most of the Christmas customs now prevailing . . . are not genuine Christian customs, but heathen customs which have been absorbed or tolerated by the Church. . . The Saturnalia in Rome provided the model for most of the merry customs of the Christmas time."—Vol. III, pp. 608, 609.
There is no escaping it: Christmas is of pagan origin. Knowing this, we should pay attention to the apostle Paul's warning against mixing the true and the false. He says that even "a little leaven ferments the whole lump." (Gal. 5:9) He reproved some of the early Christians for observing days that had been kept under the law of Moses but that God had canceled for Christians. (Gal. 4:10, 11) How much more important it is for true Christians today to shun a celebration that was never authorized by God, that stems from pagan Babylon, and that falsely bears the name of Christ!
Finer than Pagan Celebrations
True Christians have something finer than pagan celebrations. They have the "fruitage of the spirit," which is "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." (Gal. 5:22, 23) This fruitage produces a generosity that is much more beautiful and genuine than the "Christmas spirit" that blooms just once a year.
God's spirit produces kindness and unselfishness that can plainly be seen every day of the year. This prompts Christians to give, not with the hope of repayment or because they are pressured into it, but out of genuine Christian love.—Luke 6:35, 36; Acts 20:35.
Real Christians can give gifts and have good times together throughout the year. (Luke 6:38) Parents do not have to wait for birthdays or for Christmas, but they can bring gifts to their children at various times during the year. Thus children know that it is their parents who are giving
them the gifts, doing so out of love for them. Moreover, children are not encouraged to be unthankful to man or God, because of thinking that they are entitled to receive gifts on certain days.—Col. 3:14.
Learning the truth about the pagan origins of popular customs can have a marvelous liberating effect. No longer do we feel obligated to follow practices that have proved to be a burden, financially and otherwise, to people of the world. And, most important, our knowing the truth frees us to pursue the course that is pleasing to Jehovah God.
BY USE OF God's Word
the Bible as our guide,
it becomes clear that certain
popular today are definitely
displeasing to God. Some
of them, such as the Easter and Christmas celebrations, are rooted in pagan religious practices. Others,
Want To Please God?
including the custom of commemorating events that exalt worldly nations, institutions or even humans, conflict directly with Bible principles.
You may not have realized this before. The evidence to this effect may never have been brought to your attention. Therefore, you no doubt followed the course of practically everyone else in the world and observed these popular customs. But now that you have seen what God says in his Word about such matters, what will you do? Will you avoid such customs that are disapproved by God? Do you really want to please Him?
seeking to please God in all
says; "You will cause me
to know the path of life.
Rejoicing to satisfaction is
with your face; there is
You have everything worth while to gain and nothing of true value to lose by
pleasantness at your right hand forever." (Ps.
16:11) Yes, if you do what is pleasing in his sight now,
Jehovah God will bless you eternally in a grand new system of things of perfect peace and happiness.
How wise it is, therefore, to make the decision to do what is pleasing to God! Then stick to that decision! True, it will not be easy. You will not be following a course that is popular with the world. As a result you will experience ridicule and persecution, even as Jesus Christ foretold. (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12) But remember, if you really want to please God, he will back you up and strengthen you in this resolve. What pleasure you will then have in knowing that you are pleasing God now, and that you will have the opportunity to do so eternally in his new system!
WEALTH OF Color from a BULB
By "Awake!" correspondent in the Netherlands
YOUR first stroll in a city park in the springtime was doubtless rendered memorable by the splash of color that enlivened the drab scene. Before ever the spring grass shows up one can find such a sight, a bed of beautiful tulips, perhaps solid
yellow with a border of red all likelihood the bulbs plk by the municipal gardener
imported from the Netherlands, for several centuries now the center of the bulb-growing industry.
From many parts of the world come flower-loving tourists to feast their eyes on the wealth of color to be found in the bulb fields of the Low Lands along the North Sea. Not tulips only, but crocuses, hyacinths and narcissus, all lend their vivid hues to the unforgettable scene. Each one of these comes in a bewildering
variety of color. It is as though all the warmth of the previous summer season has been stored up in those bulbous roots and now bursts forth to delight the eye.
And what is most amazing is that all this array of color comes from little packages that are quite unprepossessing. Often they might look just like an onion—and an old one at that. But inside those uninteresting bulbs are stored essential nourishment for the growth of leaves and flowers.
But why the bulb? Is it not a fact that most other flowers grow from an ordinary stalk or stem with its roots in the ground? Yes, but the bulb has another function besides bearing leaves and blossoms. It preserves the life of the plant, being insulated in its own peculiar fashion so that the plant may survive underground throughout the period of winter cold.
Your Colorful Indoor Garden
You probably are aware that the tulip, the narcissus and other flowering bulbs are especially suited to outdoor flower-bed displays. But do you know that you can cultivate your own little display indoors and in the midst of winter? Even if you live in a large city you can cultivate certain types of bulbs on your windowsill, and even without using earth or soil. How pleasant, too, when you can have a splash of living color in your living room at the time of year it is least expected!
Many people have found cultivation of hyacinths and crocuses in glass containers a very rewarding hobby. Would you like to know the procedure? Well, you start by procuring the bulbs from a reputable garden-supply store or a nursery.
Your supplier will be able to tell you what bulbs are likely to do best for "glass cultivation."
The hyacinth is easy to raise, but for best results it is important to have a bulb from an early blooming strain. Special glass jars for the purpose, wide at the
bottom, can be obtained on the market. The jar should be thoroughly washed and rinsed and then filled with pure, filtered water until the stem plate
time you will also see sturdy, white roots inside the jar. It is good to keep in mind that failures are often due to exposing the bulb to light and warmth too soon.
For the first four to seven days it is advisable to place your plant in subdued light until it has a chance to develop some color. Thereafter it can go onto your
IN THE NEXT ISSUE
WHY THE WORLDWIDE
STUDENT REVOLT?
Having planted the bulb on the neck of the jar with just the right space between the bulb and the water, you may next place your jar in a dark place. This place should be absolutely dark, but also cool and ventilated. Dampness will produce mildew. A dark, cool cupboard will do, or even a box covered over in such a way that fresh air can enter. The box or cupboard could be left open during the hours of darkness in order to minimize the danger of dampness.
or bottom of the bulb is two or three millimeters above the surface. The bulb should be carefully cleaned of all loose scales, sand or other dirt.
Once in a while the bulb should be inspected. Is there enough water in the jar? Occasionally water will have to be added —but very carefully and, if possible, without removing the bulb, for the roots are very easily damaged. As your prospective indoor "garden" sits there in the dark, the roots and flower shoot will slowly develop.
But how long before you can bring it out into the daylight? The flower shoot must first appear, and when it has grown to about three inches your hyacinth can be brought into the living room. By this
windowsill. But which windowsill? Not one where the bulb will be subject to hot sun, for this will cause the bud to develop too swiftly, and you will be
robbed of much of the magnificent color spectacle.
Keep in mind that the particular pleasure derived from "glass cultivation" of bulbs is the opportunity you have to watch each stage of the flower's development. But besides the feast to the eye provided by the matured flower there is also the delightful fragrance for which the hyacinth is so popular.
Another Method of Cultivation
Another fascinating method of cultivating hyacinths, crocuses, the short sturdy narcissus and tulips is in bowls filled with water and gravel. Particularly suitable for this kind of cultivation is the lovely, fragrant paper-white, one of the varieties of the narcissus growing in southern France. When you have purchased these bulbs at a reliable dealer and followed the instructions carefully, failure is very rare. And a nice thing about the paper-whites is that the keeping of the bulbs in a dark place during the early stages can be dispensed with.
Here is how to proceed with this method. Put a thin layer of fine, washed sand in the bowl. Then plant the bulbs close together in the sand. Next fill the bowl with gravel and water.
You will have to check from time to time to see that there is enough water. The gravel must not be allowed to become dry.
Other varieties of narcissus can be cultivated in this manner, but they will have to be placed in a dark, cool place until the flower shoots have a chance to develop. When these shoots have grown to a height of three to four inches the bulbs can be exposed to the full light and warmth.
The Familiar Flowerpot
Of course, you know that these various bulbs can be planted in soil with wondrous results, for you recall those blazing flower beds in the city park. Well, you too can grow your indoor garden of these beautiful blooms in the soil in your ordinary flowerpots. If the earthenware flowerpots are new, it is recommended that they be kept a whole night in a bucket of water to remove a certain kind of dust that can do serious damage to the roots of your bulbs.
Ordinary garden soil, neither too dry nor too moist, will be suitable. If you live in the city, you can get the right soil either from your dealer in garden supplies or from some acquaintance you may chance to visit in the country. A few pieces of broken glass or coarse gravel should be deposited at the bottom of the pot so as to collect any excess moisture.
allowed to become too dry. Once in a while the soil should be examined, and if needed, water should be added.
The procedure here is quite similar to that followed when using only water. That means initially keeping the plant in a cool, dry place, and then bringing it out into the light and warmth when the bulb has developed a flower shoot. More care has to be exercised to see that the soil is not
There is one advantage to this type of cultivation—in the soil—and that is that there is a large variety of bulbs that are suitable for this type of handling: the hyacinth in its many varieties, the slender, graceful tulip in a bewildering choice of color, and the pretty narcissus, with its numerous hues.
Colors to Satisfy the Eye
One can even find bulbs that need neither soil nor water. All you have to do is place them in some appropriate place in the room and just wait for the flowers to develop. What could be easier? The name of this wonder is the Colchicum. It comes in a variety of colors—pastel violet, dark lilac, pure white, bright blue, and so on. Just imagine! At the most unexpected time of year you could have a welcome splash of color in your home—and living color at that!
There is food for meditation for those who will observe these bulbs develop, who see the marvel of vivid color in great variety emerging from such an unpromising source. Each one of those bulbs, it would seem, is programed to produce, under the right circumstances, its own particular color and form. How is it done? Certainly, the bulb did not endow itself with such a marvelous ability. No, for this is but one more of the countless ways in which the great Designer and Creator of the universe gives evidence of his thoughtful concern for the happiness of his human creation.
High Ground
Over a quarter of the earth's land surface is more than 3,000 feet high. Tibet has an average altitude of about 15,000 feet, making its average altitude higher than all but the six tallest peaks in Europe.
By "Awake!" correspondent in Canada
WE ARE being bombarded! If we live in a city our ears vibrate every hour of the day and night to the sounds of automobile engines, trucks, jet airplanes, buses, subway trains, pneumatic drills, heavy construction machinery and sirens. In the home noises produced by the air-conditioner, washer, dryer, vacuum cleaner, garbage disposal unit, hi-fi, radio and TV and the dishwasher plus the telephone, doorbell and
YOUR HEARING
kitchen stove buzzer regularly impinge on our eardrums. In short, we find ourselves enveloped in a climate of noise!
Truly, "noise pollution," as it is now called, is a serious and growing problem in the highly mechanized world in which we live. The extent of the problem was well summed up in the words of Dr. V. O. Knudsen, an internationally known physicist and former chancellor of the University of California: "If noise levels increase in the next 30 years as they have in the past 30, it could be lethal."
Concern is now being expressed in medical circles as to the effect all this mechanical din is having on the human constitution. Illustrative of this, a writer in The Medical Post (Canada) of March 12, 1968, stated: "We are filling it (our air) with noise; insidious, destructive noise, capable of causing some degree of deafness in most urbanites." Experts in the medical field are attributing a whole group of ill effects to noise in general. New York's Mount Sinai Hospital has coupled it with damaged digestive, circulatory and nervous systems. Some doctors claim it contributes to allergies, migraine headaches and general fatigue. By subjecting rabbits
and mice to high noise levels, researchers have induced atrophy of the liver and convulsions. Exceptionally violent noise has caused temporary blindness, lack of coordination, nausea and even unconsciousness.
Is there any relief in sight for our tormented eardrums? Not if the mechanical planners of this system of things are permitted to have their way. As early as the autumn of 1869, airlines hope to be operating their new jumbo jets out of urban airports. These heavy-duty carriers will be using larger than ordinary jet engines to get their enormous loads off the ground, thereby contributing an even greater volume of sound to the already hazardous noise levels affecting residents nearby. In the 1970's air transport companies expect to introduce new supersonic aircraft. It is anticipated that these will create a thunderous rolling boom along a path 50 to 80 miles wide as they streak to their destinations at speeds twice the velocity of sound.
Even the formerly quiet and peaceful occupations of farming and gardening have changed. During spring and summer days, once quiet neighborhoods now resound to the roar of gasoline-powered lawn mowers, cultivators and power saws for trimming trees.
Large numbers of farms are completely mechanized, with every kind of gadget from milking machines to high-powered tractors. It would seem that there is no place where we can get away from the clamor and clatter of this modern civilization. Why, even vacation spots have their peacefulness shattered by the roar of speedboats, sea-doos and go-carts in summer, while in the snow season, noisy ski-doos break the beauty of winter silence. Perhaps you may be thinking, "Well, this is just the price of progress, so there is nothing we can do about it."
Why Be Concerned?
All of us are involved. Yet most persons show little concern about noise levels even though their hearing may be endangered. As long as ordinary conversation or the voice at the other end of the telephone is not too blurred, they consider deafness as no problem for them to worry about. However, they begin to voice objections when they find their relaxation, sleep or concentration disturbed. It is advantageous that they do, because statistics show that already one Canadian out of every ten has some degree of hearing impairment, most of this resulting from industrial noise.
This partial deafness of the population is just as true of other highly industrialized nations. Even brief exposure to peak noise intensity can cause a form of deafness that resists repair and responds very poorly to hearing aids. In other cases, workers may find that the insidious development of this type of impairment has robbed them of the treasure of hearing before becoming aware of their plight.
Not all people have the same degree of susceptibility to such injury. Present estimates say that 20 percent of earth's popu
lation is affected. For those who are extremely sensitive, the simplest and safest formula is for them to live and work as far from the disturbing noise as is possible.
What about efficiency? Investigators have found that a noisy office increases absenteeism and employee turnover, to say nothing of the errors in typing and other clerical work. Manufacturing plants find mounting imperfections in their products as noise levels build up. This can be understood in view of studies that reveal the need for one continually to adjust his depth of focus as he strives to concentrate on a task amid loud and continuous noise. Surgeons, watchmakers, lathe operators and drivers are among those affected in this way.
A further reason for concern is that noise mars the benefits we should receive from the gift of sleep. Some people may think their sleep is not being disturbed even though their bedroom is adjacent to a noisy highway. They have the attitude that it would take an atomic bomb explosion to awaken them. Nevertheless, tests prove that the sound registers on the subconscious mind, affecting the soundness of sleep when noise levels increase. The quality of our sleep is directly related to its depth or soundness. That is why audible sounds should be kept to a minimum during sleeping hours in order to benefit most from our rest.
Measuring Noise Levels
Some noises experienced by man are beneficial, whereas others are injurious. Those that are beneficial are called consonant sounds and are harmonious in tone. The injurious ones are called dissonant, for they lack harmony and are harsh and disagreeable. Who is not aware of the relaxing and soothing effect of a fine piece of music fitting to the taste and humor of the individual?
However, "beat" music is often productive of adverse emotional reactions besides being a danger to hearing. Thus as one student of the noise problem put it: "The essential characteristic of noise is its undesirability." It is annoying or unwanted sound that scientists endeavor to measure.
In measuring sound, three physical characteristics must be taken into consideration. These are its intensity (loudness), its frequency and duration. Intensity is the amount of sound energy or pressure that flows through a given area in a given time. It is measured by a unit called a decibel, one decibel being the weakest sound that man can hear. The following table gives a general idea of the relative intensity of familiar sounds in the machine age in which we live:
<tr><th>Noise Level (Decibels)
DESCRIPTION OF SOUND
Normal breathing
Rustling of leaves
Normal conversation
Vacuum cleaner
Garbage disposal unit
Damage to hearing begins
Dishwashing machine
Food blender
Printery
Vacuum cleaner, dishwasher and blender operating together—same intensity as subway train
100-120
Sawmills, pneumatic machinery, etc.
"Beat" music in discotheques and coffeehouses
140-150
Jet airplane at takeoff
Space rocket takeoff (These figures apply to steady exposure over a period of time.)
Frequency is measured in cycles per second and equals the number of times a sound wave is repeated at a fixed point in one second. Duration is measured by an ordinary timepiece. The human ear has a remarkable ability to pick up an astounding frequency range. Quite normal for adults is a range as low as 16 and up to 20,000 cycles per second. For instance, the principal frequencies involved in human speech range from 250 to 4,000 cycles per second. Above and below these frequencies the ear's sensitivity to sound is reduced.
Truly, the human ear is a marvelous creation, especially the inner ear with its very fine hair cells, which directly transmit what is heard to the brain via the auditory nerve. Deafness results when these fine hair cells are destroyed due to constant and continued exposure to noise. Hence, Dr. Charles Lebo of the University of California warns that young people who repeatedly expose themselves to discotheque music for hours on end run the grave risk of incurring permanent innerear damage.
Not all of us can carry around a soundlevel meter, but we can make a simple check as to noise levels that surround us. The table on the next page can be helpful. Therefore if we find ourselves shouting at someone at very close range in order to make him hear amid a noisy background, it is high time we do something about protecting our own hearing.
Protecting Our Sense of Hearing
Perhaps someone might rationalize on the matter and think: "Oh, well, I can always get a hearing aid." But would it not be much better and more sensible to do one's utmost to retain good hearing ability? Remember, no hearing aid can begin to duplicate the human ear's remarkable ability to distinguish a wide variation in sounds and tones.
In view of this, everyone exposed to high-level sound should wear some type of protection in or on his ears. Dry cotton furnishes no protection, so proper ear defenders are made of impregnated cotton, rubber or plastic-type materials.
For plugs to be effective, they must suit the noise from which the individual seeks protection. Therefore, they should be personally fitted to each ear by someone who knows what he is doing. Their use should be explained to the person, particularly the matter of ensuring correct initial sealing. They should understand the need to reinsert them when they become ineffective by working loose and thus breaking the seal. Some industries supply protective earmuffs for employees who must work in areas of intense noise, such as around jet aircraft at takeoff time.
However, in view of the increasing noise pollution to which all of us are being subjected, how foolish it would be deliberately and unnecessarily to walk into areas where noise is reaching or exceeding the danger level. Also in our homes, we should want
to do something to quiet down the clamor of modern laborsaving devices. If you build, it is now possible to incorporate noise-prevention features for about 3 percent of the total cost. Acoustic tiles, carpeting (with heavy under-padding) and heavy drapes along with upholstered furniture are all good soundproofing features. The planting of trees and shrubs around your home will help break up the external sound waves of traffic and other street noises. In Canada the National Research Council has even devised a special pair of earmuffs for housewives—no, not for beauty, but to guard hearing!
Antinoise Laws
As the hubbub of mechanical sound increases at the average rate of one decibel a year, many tortured souls are inclined to cry out: "There oughta be a law!" That is just what there is in many communities, and the United States alone is spending $300 million each year in an effort to recapture some of its lost quietude. They are finding it a losing battle, because it is one thing to make these laws, but it is a different matter when it comes to enforcing
<tr><th>Noise Level (Decibels)
Voice Level and Distance for Word Intelligibility
Nature of Communication Possible
Normal voice at 10 feet
Relaxed conversation
Normal voice at 3 feet<br>Raised voice at 6 feet<br>Very loud voice at 12 feet
Continuous communication in work areas
Raised voice at 2 feet<br>Very loud voice at 4 feet<br>Shouting at 8 feet
Intermittent communication
Very loud voice at 1 foot<br>Shouting at 2 to 3 feet
Minimal communication
Shouting at 1 foot
MAY 8, 1969
them.
Metropolitan Toronto put into effect a traffic noise law in 1962. In 1963 a trucker was caught and convicted—but the high cost of the conviction discouraged further action. Some manufacturers of automobiles and trucks resist laws governing the construction of quieter vehicles by claiming that costs run too high.
In Britain, aircraft noise was specifically excluded from the Noise Abatement Act of 1960 and, previous to this, aircraft operators were given legal protection in the matter of making too much noise in various civil aviation acts. An unusual antinose law was enacted by Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), which forbade husbands to beat their wives after ten o'clock at night so that neighbors would not be disturbed by the wife's cries.
Some people are inclined to take the law into their own hands in order to suppress noise. A few years ago in France, a woman was playing her portable radio too loudly to suit a fellow passenger on a bus. In a violent outburst of temper, the man seized her radio and struck her with it. A sympathetic court acquitted him, and 299 out of 300 persons who were asked about the incident agreed with the man's action. In Kansas City, Missouri, an eminent doctor became upset by an ear-splitting noise of a pneumatic drill in front of his home. Dressed in his Sunday best, Homburg hat, kid gloves and a carnation in his buttonhole, he salienced forth to the street and began to chat with the workmen. But suddenly he produced an ax from behind his back and began swinging at the air hose supplying the drill. In this case, the action resulted in his arrest and a fine of $50 for damaging public property and for disturbance of the peace!
Relief from Noise Pollution
"The plague of the 20th century," it has been called, because in the past six decades we have unquestionably seen a greater increase in noisy living and working conditions than in all the past 4,000 years. In fact, the previously mentioned Dr. Knudsen recently remarked: "Americans are drowning in a cataract of noise and don't know it."
But will the harsh sounds of this world finally reach the crescendo envisioned by Sir Walter Ferguson Hannay, chairman of Britain's Noise Abatement Society, when he said: "It is not inconceivable that we shall become a race of shouting maniacs"? What an unhappy and gloomy outlook that would be! On the contrary, there is reason for real hope.
Soon now, the "noise" of "the war of the great day of God the Almighty" will "'come clear to the farthest part of the earth, for there is a controversy that Jehovah has with the nations. . . . As regards the wicked ones, he must give them to the sword,' is the utterance of Jehovah."—Jer. 25:31; Rev. 16:14-16.
At that war of Armageddon, all the selfish polluters of this earth and man's environment will be permanently removed. The result will then be a literal fulfillment of the prophecy of God's faithful servant Isaiah: "The work of the true righteousness must become peace; and the service of the true righteousness, quietness and security to time indefinite. And my people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting places." (Isa. 32:17, 18) Then never again will unwanted noise bring ruin to the inhabitants of this earth as it is doing today.
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H O T A N D C O L D
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The coldest seas on earth are the Antarctic and Arctic. There temperatures as low as 2 \circ F are not particularly unusual. The hottest seas are the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, which are sometimes 8 \circ F. These extremes are modest in comparison with land temperatures that may range from -12 \circ F. In the Antarctic to 13 \circ F. In the African Sahara.
By "Awake!" correspondent in Hawaii
THE eyes of all assembled were riveted on the young minister who walked slowly to the platform. He carried a folder and a large book. In the introduction of his talk he read a quotation from the book—it was a portion of the Bible. But as he did so, his fingers, rather than his eyes, moved swiftly back and
forth on the page. The audience immediately perceived that the speaker was blind, and that his reading material was written in an unusual way to enable him to read so fluently.
The young man's warmth and enthusiasm enveloped the audience, especially as he spoke about the blessings of God's kingdom in the hands of Christ, under whose rule physical infirmities will be things of the past. After the talk he mingled freely with the audience. I was moved to want to learn how this blind youth was able to take in such a wealth of valuable knowledge and present it in an effective, interesting manner. Therefore, I introduced myself to him.
The young minister told me that he had been born blind and, therefore, had no memory of colors or the appearance of people. He said that he recognizes persons primarily by their voices, and he associates color with things he knows or feels. I learned that he started his formal education at a school for the blind in Honolulu, and that he is now a senior in a regular high school for the sighted.
Preparation for the Ministry
His desire to be a minister, he said, was cultivated by a Bible study started with him by one of Jehovah's witnesses about five years ago. Happily the Bible is available in Braille, a system of touch reading, and he soon took delight in reading his personal copy. He noted also that the
Watch Tower Bible and Traet Society publishes Bible literature for the blind, and that over the years this has proved a real assistance to him to grow in knowledge of God's purposes.
Each month, he explained, he receives a free Braille publication containing selected articles from the Watchtower magazine. After reading and studying it he sends it to a blind partner on the mailing list, who keeps that issue. The next issue his partner sends to him, and he is allowed to keep it. He observed that anyone may have his name added to this mailing list simply by submitting a written request to the Watch Tower Society, 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201, marking the letter for the attention of the Braille Desk.
Real progress toward becoming an effective minister, he noted, was made possible by regular attendance at the Theocratic Ministry School, which features a public speaking course free of charge. This school is one of the weekly congregational meetings of Jehovah's witnesses. He explained that to obtain additional material to use in connection with talks he had to prepare, he would have people read to him and he would transcribe this information into Braille with his Braille typewriter.
Noting my interest, the young minister invited me to his home. I gladly accepted the invitation to go the following day.
The History of Braille
In the meantime I decided to do some research on the history of Braille. After just an hour or so of research at the library, I was amazed at the time, love and heartbreak that had been expended by so many in the past to help the blind learn to read and write. All these efforts laid
the foundation for the education of not only the young minister I would talk to the next day, but also thousands of other blind persons in the world. Let me share with you something of what I gleaned during those hours of research.
Braille takes its name from a French saddlemaker's son, Louis Braille. He was blinded at the age of three. He started attending a school for the blind in Paris at the age of ten. While still a youth he developed the ingenious system of writing for the blind
The Braille cell
also to read music, as well as work mathematical problems. Even though his system was not the first method of touch reading, it is his system that has been internationally adopted as superior. Although some languages have altered the system somewhat, they still use the basic patterns and the six-dot unit started by Braille.
The Braille System
that bears his name even to this day. Braille's system was based upon the night writing principle of a captain in the French cavalry by the name of Charles Barbier. In battle, when a light at night could give away one's position, he sent messages from one outpost to another by means of coded marks punched with an awl in thick paper.
Being a talented musician as well as an able student, Louis Braille devised a system of touch reading to enable the blind
The six-dot unit is two dots wide and three dots high and is capable of producing sixty-three possible characters by placing one or more dots in specific positions or combinations within the unit. Thus, when one has learned to read the Braille alphabet one will have mastered more than a third of these basic combinations. The first ten letters of the alphabet, the letters a through j, are
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
formed by dots in the upper part of the unit only, that is, by combinations of dots numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. The next ten letters, those from k through t, are formed by adding dot number 3 to each of the first ten letters.
To form five of the last six letters of the
alphabet, letters u, v, x, y and z, dots numbers 3 and 6 are added to the first five letters of the alphabet. And then the w is formed in Braille by use of dots 2, 4, 5 and 6. This same set of six dots also is used in different combinations in mathematics and music. Numbers are represented by the first ten letters of the alphabet when a figure known as the number sign is placed in front of them. Punctuation marks are also represented in Braille by different combinations of dots.
The processing of Braille is expensive and is done in large part by volunteer organizations. The material to be transcribed into Braille is first stereotyped on soft metal plates by hand or power-driven machines. The plates are then usually set up on flat or rotary presses that emboss the dots on strong, thick paper. This is sometimes dampened to facilitate the printing of smooth dots without rupturing the paper.
An Educational, Inspiring Visit
The time came for my visit to the young minister's home. He welcomed me warmly and we began a long-to-be-remembered discussion. He is well acquainted with the history of Braille and added much to the information I had received through my library research.
At the outset he informed me that only a blind man such as Louis Braille could have arranged these groups of dots for reading, as they correspond exactly to the requirements of the sense of touch. A blind person reads Braille by running his fingers along on the dots. To be easily read the six dots must be covered by the fingertip of the index finger.
The youth showed me his Braille typewriter, which I was particularly interested in seeing. It has only six keys, and these correspond to the six dots within the Braille cell. For the benefit of others who wish to read his work he also types with
the ordinary typewriter. He explained to me that the Braille typewriter was invented in the 1890's.
Although the Braille system was published in 1829, he noted, it was not accepted in the United States as a medium of reading and writing for the blind until much later. This was because of a struggle between advocates of three different embossed types: English Braille, American Braille and New York Point. However, in 1932 the Standard English Braille was accepted as the universal system for the English-speaking world. This system is called Grade-2 English Braille, and is the Braille system in which the Watch Tower Society publications are printed.
Being a minister, the young man is particularly proud of his Braille Bible. He told me that the first portion of the Bible was printed in Braille in 1832. However, it was not until 1949 that the entire Bible was completed, and now it is available in five languages.
When he spoke of the Bible the face of the young minister seemed to glow. Here is something dear to his heart. "How can one have any hope without God's Word?" he asked. And with deep feeling he added: "How I desire to help people learn the truth of the Bible!"
By means of a wonderful system that allows one's fingertips to serve as eyes for study and reading, this young minister is certainly fulfilling that desire.
Fish Protection
Most fish are covered from head to tail with a flexible armor of rounded overlapping plates or scales. These are embedded in the inner layer of the skin, and, while not increasing in number, they do increase in size as the fish grows. Some fish have scales as large as a man's hand. Covering this basic suit of scales, many fish are further protected by a thin layer of mucous slime. This mucous is antiseptic and so helps to keep off fungi and bacteria, as well as lubricating the fish's body surface.
Supermarket Shopping HONG KONG Style
By "Awake!" correspondent in Hong Kong
WHAT a fine day this has been, visiting the people of this crowded city and telling interested ones about the hope for the future as taught in the Bible! But now, before going home, I have to go to the "supermarket." Tomorrow happens to be my "cook day." You see, a group of us missionaries live in the same home and we take turns as cook and housekeeper for a day. And that, I may say, is always a busy day, for in addition to cooking and housekeeping, we must try to find time to care for personal chores, such as washing, ironing, letter writing, and so on.
Perhaps you would like to come along and experience what it is like to shop in a Hong Kong-style supermarket. As we go I can tell you something about the customs of the housewife in this part of the
world. A mother will trot off to market each day, often with the latest arrival in the family securely strapped to her back, where the youngster can feel close to his mother while getting a sort of backseat view of everything. But why daily? Well, they prefer their vegetables fresh, those that have just come in from the market gardens. And if she should not have any refrigeration at home, why, she can always be sure that the vegetables at the market will be kept cool and fresh with water until sold.
Even if the family is fortunate enough to have a refrigerator, they prefer to use it for leftovers and drinks rather than for storage of a week's supply of food. They like to buy fresh meat daily, too, and they know that this is delivered to the market from the abattoir daily. Not that they buy much meat. In fact, it may only be a few ounces for a large family. Then it is chopped almost to a pulp and used more for flavoring purposes than as a special dish.
Morning and early evening are the popular shopping times. Fresh food supplies reach the market early in the morning or at midday. Around noon and after, shopkeepers take a nap, getting ready for the evening rush. Those who work during the daytime, like we missionaries, find it convenient to shop on our way home.
The International Look
Notice that this market is a large city block in size, and it does have an international look. Those sidewalk restaurants remind one of Paris. The carts loaded with clothing perhaps are reminiscent of New York's garment district; only these clothes are for immediate sale. The pottery utensils call to mind the Middle East, where such items are still in big demand. And the variety of foods compares well with that found in South or Central American markets—though the individual items are quite different.
The place is teeming with vendors—the term here is "hawkers." Some sell from tiny shops squeezed into the basement of apartment buildings. Others are itinerant, selling directly from a box or a crate or a wheeled cart. In some markets the government provides buildings or assigns lots to the vendors, and there is hope that eventually all markets will be better organized. But it takes time.
Suppose we start here and walk around the block. That way I can determine what is a good buy for tomorrow's meals. Prices vary from day to day, so it is difficult to plan the menu very far in advance. What are these children doing here? Why, they are the hawkers! And do not underestimate them. They may be only eight or ten years old, but they are sharp business dealers. They started to learn early. They may work all day for their parents and then go to school in the late evening. They are taught to have deep respect for their parents, and that whatever their parents do for them must one day be discharged as a debt.
be cheaper. The hawker, on the other hand, is remarking on how fresh and delicious they are. He may drop his price very slightly to sell his commodity.
No, that woman and the hawker are not really having an argument. When I first came, and before I learned the language, I too was misled. They are simply haggling over the price. The woman is saying the tomatoes are overripe and should
But look at the variety! This woman is selling dried mushrooms. Notice the baby asleep on her back? And the next woman has knitted clothing for children. Here is a man selling fresh fish, shrimp and squid. No, that is not watermelon, though it looks a bit like it. It is called winter melon. There, she is cutting a piece for the customer. It has white flesh, and when cooked in soup it will have its own special flavor. Watch out! That is squid drying right on the bare sidewalk. Sometimes they lay it on burlap bags. Maybe not too hygienic, but it goes here.
Do not miss taking a look at some of these small shops. We just passed a bakery, and then a hardware store, with items stacked to the roof and all kinds of merchandise hanging from the ceiling. And here is a dress shop. There is hardly anything you cannot get somewhere in this block. Notice the electric appliance dealer, and that little jewelry shop tucked into a small corner. Then, appropriately, there is the pawnshop next door.
The optometrist, the doctor, the barber, all have their places of business close by. And there is a chemist's shop (drugstore) with Chinese herbs and medicines, including dried lizard and deerhorn, on one side, and Western remedies on the other. Then we turn the corner and we are on the inner side of this huge "supermarket." Here the hawkers are doing a thriving business. Did you notice the Chinese scale being used to weigh the food? The tray hangs on one end and a movable weight at the other. The hawker holds the scale from a string near the end with the tray. Then he moves the weight until it and the food balance. The mark on the stick where the weight is located finally gives the weight in Chinese pounds.
And these folks are experts at figuring out the cost.
Shanghainese Food
Stop here a minute. This small shop specializes in Shanghainese food items. There are people here from all parts of China and they all have their own peculiar favorite dishes. There, for example, are pickled, dried, salted items that are really delicious if you know how to cook and
boiled egg. Only, when you open it, the egg has turned black. That next basket contains salted duck eggs—eggs that have been covered for a time with a black alkaline mudpack.
Hanging from the ceiling you can see Chinese sausages and bacon. Also, there is dried, emaciated head and neck of the duck. These may be cooked somewhat like dried fish, or used in soup. In the urns on the floor are pickled pearl onions and
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