The 381st 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 13th day of April 1991.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:15 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and WB Heath PM, JW in the South.
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 April 1991, 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 Heath PM 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 PM moved and WB Heath seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Bro. Lindstrom submitted a negative as did WB McCauley.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Watanabe PM advised that he continues to send MWB Nishiyama PGM brief summaries of our monthly meetings thus enabling him to keep abreast of what is going on in lodge.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: The annual picnic will be held on Sunday, 4 August 1991 at the Negishi Picnic Grounds #1. Bro. Lindstrom and WB Hodges to work out the details (menu, cost, etc.) and report to the Brethren during the May 1991 meeting.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: WB Watanabe submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: As the audit committee was unable to complete their work prior to commencement of lodge today, WB McCauley requested that they complete the audit by our May meeting and to be prepared to submit their findings.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges reported that we have received nothing from Grand Lodge and that he will follow up with the Grand Secretary.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: By secret ballot WB William Thomas Orvosh PM was elected a dual member of this lodge. The Secretary to notify WB Orvosh of the lodge action.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 March 1991, a letter from Research Lodge of Japan dated 03/22/91, a letter from WB Katagiri PM announcing his retirement and imminent return to Japan and a letter from the Grand Master concerning the Annual Children's Festival. WB Hodges moved and Bro. Lindstrom seconded a motion that the lodge donate ¥100,000 to the festival, the same as last year. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: At the request of Bro. Lindstrom, WB McCauley relinquished the East and placed himself West of the altar where Bro. Lindstrom was pleased to present him with his Certificate of Installed Master. After appropriate remarks WB McCauley reassumed the East and then proceeded to install WB Thomas H. Hodges, PM, as Secretary of the lodge for the ensuing year. WB Hodges was conducted by WB Heath and after being escorted to his station, thanked the WM and Brethren for allowing him the opportunity to serve another year.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Heath spoke on the matter of Yokosuka Senior High's Scholarship Fund and cautioned the lodge to handle with great care any request for donations to this fund that might be received.
Bro. Lindstrom volunteered to sit in the East for the initiation of Mr. Macomb providing the initiation takes place in June. WB McCauley charged Bro. Lindstrom to confirm with Mr. Macomb within the next few days whether or not our June meeting is acceptable to Mr. Macomb. If June is inconvenient other arrangements will be made. Meanwhile WB Heath volunteered to give the Lambskin Apron Lecture, WB Ohashi the Working Tools, WB Hodges the Charge, and Brother Smith the Lecture. Apologies were received from Bros. Yabe and Yoshitake who earlier informed a number of the Brethren that he will be getting married next month. WB Heath's motion for the lodge to purchase Bro. Yoshitake a "Sympathy Card" died for lack of a seconder.
Bro. Smith brought fraternal greetings from the WM and Brethren of his mother lodge, Tokyo Lodge No. 2, F&AM, and the Research Lodge of Japan. He then spoke of the process developed by his mother lodge to educate new members, using the Grand Lodge book of Masonic Education. The point of his discussions was to emphasize the need for the lodge to properly educate the new Mason, from the time he is accepted for the degrees until he has completed all three degrees. WB Watanabe and Bro. Lindstrom then spoke briefly on the Grand Lodge Communication, noting that all of the Resolutions presented to Grand Lodge for consideration were tabled for further study and review.
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 16:10 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and WB Heath PM, JW in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present. (8 members/1 visitor)
APPROVED:
C. R. ASHENDEN, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary