The 349th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250, Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 14th day of May 1988.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1425 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and Bro. Oliver, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Brother Harry T. Lipsky who died 08 April 1988 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Charter was ordered draped for 30 days.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of May 1988, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings.
The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by WB Otani, PM. It was moved by WB Otani and seconded by WB Hodges that the Treasurer's report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and WB Hodges moved and Bro. Oliver seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Ashenden was pleased to submit a negative.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Otani reported on the condition of MWB Nishiyama. WB Ashenden requested the Brethren to pay their respects to MWB Nishiyama by calling him when the opportunity arises.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Ashenden reported on the status of the joint social evening of Ladies' Night at YC&AC. He reminded the Bretnren to be giving serious thought to the Family Bar-B-Q planned for September of this year.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative and advised that he will be prepared to mail the WM message as soon as received. WB Ashenden advised that the letter to the Brethren is being prepared and will be finished soon.
COACHING: WB Otani reported that Bro. Yoshitake is prepared to give his proficiency in the 1st ° and that he is present awaiting the call of the WM.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: No report
AUDIT: WB Ashenden requested the Audit Committee to complete the audit before the next stated meeting.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges gave a comprehensive report on the status of lodge funds at Grand Lodge and reminded the WM that the full amount of the Temple Trust Fund is now available for reinvestment. WB Ashenden requested permission of the Brethren for he and WB Hodges to meet with the representatatives of Merrill Lynch Securities Co. for the purpose of making a suitable investment. By a show of hands the Brethren signified their concurrence to the request.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read the petition of Mr. Harold Eugene Palmer Jr. for the degrees of Masonry in this lodge. The WM directed the petition to take the usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GM's letter of 23 Apr 1988 titled "The Boxx Picks Freemasonry", the GL Bulletin of 20 April 1988 and other correspondence as appropriate.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Ashenden presented WB Ohashi w/his PM Diploma and commission as the GL Representative for the GL of Norway near the GL of Japan. WB Hodges moved that the lodge donate ¥50,000 to the GL Children's Festival; that the lodge purchase a new WM's hat for $118.10 plus postage and that the lodge purchase a new typewriter for the secretary, NTE $170.00 w/supplies. WB Otani seconded the motion MOTION CARRIED
WB Ashenden then advised that the lodge will pay an official visit to Lodge Star in the East No. 640, S.C. the evening of 14 Jun 1988 and requested the full support of the lodge.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM lowered the lodge to the 1° and listened to the examination of Bro. Yoshitake conducted by WB Otani. Upon completion, WB Ashenden declared Bro. Yoshitake proficient in the 1°. The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Yoshitake after which Bro. Yoshitake was conducted from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge was raised to the 3° at which time WB Ashenden reminded the Brethren that next week on the 21st we will conduct the first degree of Masonry on Mr. Goro Murata. He also told the Brethren that VWB Cripe, Senior Grand Lecturer, GLOJ, has excepted our invitation and will be present at the conferral and advised that VWB Cripe will be received with Grand Honors. A practice session was held to familiarize the Brethren of the proper manner of rendering Grand Honors.
WB Ashenden then requested WB Hunt to give us a lecture on the "Rules of Masonic Debate". Upon completion of this most interesting and educational lecture during which he quoted from a number of sources on the subject, finishing with the rules of order as found in the constitution of the GLOJ, a lively debate was undertaken by a number of the Brethren present which resulted in a very "instructive debate" that benefited all of those present.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1650 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and Bro. Oliver, JW in the South.
(There were 10 Brethren present including Bro. Yoshitake)
APPROVED
C. R. ASHENDEN
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY