The 219th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple, No.3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 1st day of October 1975.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:30 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. McGeorge, MM, (acting SW) in the West and Bro. Vaughn, MM, (acting JW) in the South.
W Bro. Hodges recognized the distinguished Brethren present along with the first time visitors as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the Month of October 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.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by W Bro. Hodges, given in Bro. Alaback's stead because of duty, and MW Bro. Robertson moved and Bro. Vaughn seconded that the report be accept as presented subject to the usual audit. Motion carried
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and they were approved as presented.
The next order of business was the report of the several committees:
HOUSE: W Bro. Williams reported still working on broken windows, W Bro. Hodges reported no committee meeting as yet. W Bro. Hodges informed all that a meeting would be held at 19:00 hours, 9 Oct. to discuss details of PM Night.
DeMOLAY: NEG.
PUBLICATIONS: Bro. Watson reported last issue was at the printers and he was working on another issue for the end of the month, also working on list of members and addresses.
SICK & VISITATION: NEG.
COACHING: W Bro. Hodges reported that Bro. Bartelson feels that Bros. Wilson and Negranza will be ready to give FC proficiency on the 8th of Oct.
AUDITING: NEG. W Bro. Hodges appointed Bro. Watson and Bro. Vaughn as members of the Auditing Committee.
EXAMINATION & RECEPTION: NEG. Bro. Diel not present.
LAPSATION: W Bro. Williams reported NEG.
CHARITY: NEG.
SIGHT ASSISTANCE: W Bro. Hodges reported that W Bro. Voss feels that there is no need for the program at this time.
BALLOTING: Secret balloting was had on the following petitioner to become a dual member of Far East Lodge No. 1, and he was elected
Bro. McGOWAN, James Francis
Secret balloting was also had on the following petitioner to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge, and he was elected.
Mr. HARDING, Perry C., III
NEW PETITIONS: NONE
Bro. McGowan was then obligated as a dual member of this Lodge with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. McGeorge in the West and Bro. Vaughn in the South.
PAST MASTERS NIGHT: W Bro. Williams read list of Past Masters who would tentatively participate in the Ceremonies on Past Masters night to be held Oct. 15th. Our 27th Anniversary.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM commented on the request from the Grand Lodge to furnish an attendance record of the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1. He announced that the Grand Lodge would start printing a newsletter in lieu of the quarterly and would solicit ads to help defray the cost and all were invited to submit ideas to Bro. Hunt. He also read an announcement signed by the Grand Master that a Lodge of Sorrow in memory of MW Bro. Morgalis, Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Japan, would be held at the Masonic Temple, Tokyo at 10:30 am on 14. Oct. Open ceremony.
MW Bro. Robertson moved and Bro. Vaughn seconded that Far East Lodge No. 1 send a wreath of flowers, MW Bro. Robertson to take care of details. Motion carried
MW Bro. Robertson reported that 21 wreaths had be ordered so far. W Bro. Hodges then read letter from Grand Master concerning Mid-Year Communication to be held 18 Oct, Communication to be in the morning and GL Masonic Education and Work Shop with 3 films scheduled for the afternoon, that breakfast would be free lunch ¥1,000 with the Banquet being held at the Sanno in the evening. Informal discussion was held on the carnival sponsored by the GL, on 22–23 Nov. General consensus was that we had neither the time, money or manpower to give much assistance. The Secretary then read a letter requesting a Demit for Bro. Alvin D. Wilder. It was decided to hold until next Stated Meeting for action.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM then requested MW Bro. Robertson to read those articles from the Lodge By-Laws and the Grand Lodge Constitution and By-Laws concerning election of officers, as required.
MASONIC EDUCATION: MW Bro. Robertson read a most interesting article from a publication of The Grand Lodge or North Dakota titled "My first visit to the Lodge".
W Bro. Hodges then requested Bro. McGowan to place himself West of the Altar and there presented him with his membership card for Far East Lodge No. 1. Bro. McGowan responded with appropriate remarks.
Bro. McGeorge then expressed his apprectation for the things he had learned and the fellowship he had enjoyed here at Far East Lodge No. 1, and expressed his sorrow at this being his last evening here. W Bro. Hodges responded with appropriate remarks and good wishes to Bro. McGeorge.
He then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, that we would proceed to close.
Peace and harmony prevailing this lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 22:05 hours with W Bro. Hodges in the East, Bro. McGeorge in the West, and Bro. Vaughn in the South.
(There were 8 Brethren present)