The 624th SPECIAL MEETING of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 3 Bluff, Yamate-Cho, Yokohama, Japan on the 11th day of April 1979.
A Lodge of Master Masons was opened in due and ancient form at 19:00 hours with WB Jack C. Barrs, WM, in the East, WB Robert L. Williams (acting SW) in the West and WB Saburo Katagiri, JW, in the South.
The WM recognized the distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He especially welcomed Bro. Richard Watson who was visiting tonight after an absence of several years.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Thomas H. Hodges, Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1, was received with Grand Honors, conducted to the Altar, welcomed by the Master and seated in the East.
The WM then announced that this Lodge of Master Masons had convened for two purposes, (1) to listen to the proficiency of the below named Brother;
Bro. FORBES, Joseph Edward.
and (2) to hold a Lodge of Instruction to be conducted by WB Hodges.
At the sound of the gavel, labor in this lodge of Master Masons was suspended and a Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons opened for the above purpose.
Bro. Forbes was examined in the First Degree by the WM and upon completion declared proficient. Bro. Forbes was congratulated on his fine proficiency by the WM and others and given a round of applause. Bro. Forbes was then conducted from the Lodge. And at the sound of the gavel in the East this Lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons was closed and labor resumed in a Lodge of Master Masons.
The WM then requested WB Hodges to proceed with the Lodge of Instruction. WB Hodges covered a broad range of subjects and conducted a question and answer session which was very informative and enlightening.
And upon completion, the WM thanked WB Hodges and the officers who had protemped this evening and announced that next week we would probably have a dual Second Degree.
There being nothing further to come before this Lodge of Master Masons the WM announced that we would proceed to close.
Peace and harmony prevailing this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 21:30 hours with WB Jack C. Barrs, WM, in the East, WB Robert L. Williams (acting SW) in the West, and WB Saburo Katagiri, JW, in the South.
(There were 10 Brethren present.)