The 356th 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 10th day of December 1988.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1420 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Heath, PM, Acting JW in the South.
WB Ashenden then raised the lodge for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of our departed Brothers Alford, Bennett, Fraser, and Poundstone. After prayer, the charter was ordered draped for a period of 30 days.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of December 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 Hodges. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Heath 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 MWB Nishiyama 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 Hodges was pleased to submit a negative but noted that we have had more deaths so far this year (11) than any other year in the lodge's history. This is due to the aging of the majority of our members and most likely will continue for a several more years.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported on the results of the Thanksgiving Dinner, noting that 31 adults and 11 children attended and that thanks to Bro. Lindstrom a profit to WB Hodges of $0.15 was realized. WB Ashenden thanked Bro. Lindstrom for his hard work and support in this effort.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: Bro. Watanabe reported on the progress of Bro. Yoshitake. WB Ashenden then called on MWB Nishiyama and Bro. Watanahe to arrange for Bro. Yoshitake to give his 2° proficiency during January 1989 and to raise both Bro. Yoshitake and Bro. Jun Nishiyama.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: No report.
AUDIT: No report required.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: WB Ashenden reported that the Committee of Investigations had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Harold Eugene Palmer Jr. Mr. Palmer was then elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge by secret ballot of the members present. WB Ashenden announced that Mr. Palmer will be initiated on 07 January 1989 and instructed the Secretary to ensure Mr. Palmer was available on that date.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 Nov 88 and other correspondence as appropriate. Included was a letter from Kyoto Lodge No. 5 soliciting donations for the annual Eye Bank Campaign. WB Hodges moved and MWB Nishiyama seconded a motion that the lodge donate ¥40,000. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Ashenden instructed that WB Ohashi PM be escorted west of the altar where he was pleased to present WB Ohashi his Past Master's Bar and his commission as the Grand Lodge Representative for the Grand Lodge of Finland near the Grand Lodge of Japan. WB Ashenden announced that due to the lack of time and the non-availability of a suitable location no lodge Christmas Party could be scheduled. WB Hodges moved and WB Heath seconded a motion that no Christmas Party be sponsored by the lodge this year. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Ashenden then directed the Secretary to read Article II, Sections I and II of the lodge By-Laws and Articles 100 thru 100b of the constitution. After which the Secretary confirmed that Bro. Stephen R. Mahnke had received the notice of his dues arrears but that no response from Brother Mahnke has been forthcoming. If no response is received by 31 December 1988, Brother Mahnke will be suspended for non-payment of dues.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Ashenden then announced that the annual election of officers would be held and that MWB Nishiyama would serve as teller. He then called the lodge briefly free from restraint to permit the Brethren to refresh themselves. At the sound of the gavel in the East the following Brethren were elected/appointed to the position indicated
Upon conclusion of the elections WB Hodges requested that he be allowed to assume the East for a brief period. Upon assuming the East WB Hodges requested that WB Ashenden be escorted from the lodge whereupon WB Heath moved and Bro. Lindstrom seconded a motion that WB Ashenden be presented with the PM's Jewel, Apron and Apron Case donated to the lodge by MB Yoshio Yamada, PGM, on the occasion of his death in 1985. MOTION WAS HEARTILY APPROVED BY THE BRETHREN. WB Ashenden was then escorted in to the lodge and upon his resumption of the East, WB Hodges explained the purpose for his being requested to leave the lodge. WB Ashenden responded with appropriate remarks and expressed his gratitude for the honor and faith bestowed on him by the Brethren. WB Heath then announced that the Scottish Rite Bodies in Tokyo have announced that they will sponsor a Masonic Music Concert, featuring the Masonic music of Bro. Mozart, at the Tokyo Sunhill auditorium on 13 April 1989. Masons and non-Masons will be invited to attend. Cost will be ¥3,000 per person. Additional information will be published by the Scottish Rite Bodies in the near future. WB Ashenden then announced that the Installation of Officers will be held on the 14th of January 1989 and that it will be a private installation. Plans will be made for a banquet to be held at the Negishi All Hands Club on that evening but advised that if the Emperor expires prior to the installation, THERE WILL BE NO BANQUET, only the installation of officers at the lodge.
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 1605 hours with WB Ashenden, WM in the East, Bro. Watanabe, SW in the West, and WB Heath, PM, Acting JW in the South.
(There were 8 Brethren present)
APPROVED
C. R. ASHENDEN
WORSHIPFUL MASTER
ATTEST
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
SECRETARY