The 204th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F&AM, was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 3rd day of July 1974.
A lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Alvarez, WM, in the East, Bro. Hodges, SW, in the West and Bro. Dunning (acting JW) in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date.
The WM announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of July, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
The Treasurer Bro. Watson then presented the financial report and it was approved subject to the usual audit.
The Secretary then presented the bills for the month of June and they were approved. Bro. Hodges moved and Bro. Dunning seconded the motion.
The next order of business was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: Bro. Hodges mentioned the electric problems in the Temple and that the House Committee was working on solving them, also that there were no new developments on aquiring the Temple property however Hong Kong was waiting on our reply.
ENTERTAINMENT: NEG
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Hodges reported working on next issue of FTs.
COACHING: Bro. Dunning reported Bro. Reyna would probably be ready for First Degree proficiency and Second Degree next week, also Bro. Alaback should be prepared to give proficiency in Third Degree soon.
SICK & VISITATION: W Bro. Alvarez reported Bro. Philippe was in the Yokosuka Naval Hospital for a check up.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: W Bro. Williams reported receiving fee for LM# 148 to be issued to Bro. Gerard Snell.
READING OF THE FOLLOWING to receive the degrees of Masonry in this Lodge for the following petitioners:
Mr OHKAWA, Masaaki
Mr. KORMAN, Ronald
Balloting upon the request of the following named Brother for restoration to good standing was held and approved
Bro. FORTUNATO, Joseph
Bro. MARTIN, Gus
The Secretary read letter from the following Brother requesting, to be restored to good standing
Bro. WATTS, Kenneth L.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: MW Bro. Robertson reminded the WM and Brethren of the bond to be reinvested with the Grand Lodge.
W Bro. Williams moved, Bro. Hodges seconded that the principal only be re-invested with the Grand Lodge. Motion carried.
The WM made the following appointments:
(all accepted)
W Bro. Alvarez announced that Bro. Bennett and Bro. Deil would be departing in the near future and wished them both good luck.
He also announced that next week would be a Second Degree for Bro. Reyna.
He then requested the Brethren to upstanding for a moment of silent prayer for our departed Bro. Donald. C. Chandler, LM No. 3, who passed away on March 24, 1974.
W Bro. Alvarez then read aloud a very interesting article about the only woman ever to be made a Mason and why the Grand Lodge of England is called the mother Grand Lodge of the world and other items of Masonic interest.
The WM then thanked Bro. Bartelson, Watson and Alaback for their fine job of cleaning off the roof and drains.
The WM again asked the Brethren to be upstanding for the purpose of asking divine guidance concerning the present difficulties which seemed to be afflicting the Yokohama Masonic Temple at present, and each one in his own way to silently invoke the wisdom and strength necessary to overcome those difficulties.
There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons the WM announced that the Lodge would proceed to close.
Peace and Harmony prevailing this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 21:10 hours, with W Bro. Alvarez, WM, in the East, Bro. Hodges, SW, in the West and Bro. Dunning (acting JW) in the South.
(There were 18 Brethren present)