WE LEFT OFF yesterday with the emperor’s announcement that he was not divine. Had that superstition lingered in the minds of the Japanese people it would have left a dangerous potentiality: “Yes, we’ve been defeated temporarily, but only temporarily, for you cannot defeat the divine—we will come back and come back with revenge.” The announcement of the emperor was a national catharsis. It brought the situation back to reality and laid the foundation for Japan’s recovery and progress. She is manufacturing more than she did before the war and is first in shipbuilding in the world.
But back of that announcement is this story: Mr. Hyde, inventor of Mentholatum, was a dedicated layman who lived in simplicity and dedicated millions to good causes. Among them he gave to Dr. Vorhees the right to manufacture Mentholatum in Japan and provided the machinery and the assembly lines. Vorhees supported the vast mission work which he carried on through the manufacture of Mentholatum. It kept him and his work going on through the war. When the war ceased and the opportunity opened for the emperor to make the all-important announcement, Vorhees was there, matched against that opportunity. No Japanese could have touched it—it was too sacred. Only an American who was also a Japanese citizen could have touched it. God matched Vorhees against that hour.
Further, God matched Hyde against that hour too. Without Hyde and his dedicated money behind Vorhees, that amazingly important fruit could not have been brought forth. A dedicated layman changed the life and destiny of a nation. He was chosen and ordained to bring forth that fruit, because he was available and responsive to God’s plan for his life. Anything can happen to and through a surrendered life.
O Master of my heart, may I be ready if Thou hast a situation against which you can match my life. May I be at hand, ready and prepared, for Thou dost use the instrument at hand. I thank Thee. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I am ready, make me prepared for the task that confronts me today.
