The 383rd 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 8th day of June 1991.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:25 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 June 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 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: WB McCauley was pleased to receive a negative report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB McCauley was please to receive a negative report.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Lindstrom submitted a negative.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: WB Watanabe, PM, submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: Not required.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges moved and WB Heath seconded a motion that all lodge funds presently being held at Grand Lodge be withdrawn and returned to the direct control of the lodge. MOTION CARRIED.
W8 McCauley instructed the Secretary to forward a suitable letter to Grand Lodge conveying the decision of the Brethren.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition for Restoration submitted by Bro. Raymond Russell Blauvelt was read by the Secretary after which the WM directed that the petition lie over until the July Stated Meeting at which time it will be ballotted.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 15 May 20 1991 and excerpts from the GL Executive Committee meeting minutes of April 27 1991 together with the GM's message appended thereto. WB McCauley then recommended the Brethren consider the significance of what had been read and to be prepared to discuss the matter more at the July Stated Meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: At 1505 hours WB McCauley lowered the lodge to the 1º for the purpose of initiating Mr. Buenaventura Joseph Macomb an EAM. Bro. Lindstrom then assumed the East and obligated Mr. Macomb with WB McCauley in the West and WB Heath in the South. WB Heath presented the Lamb Skin Apron, WB Ohashi presented the Working Tools, Bro. Smith from Tokyo Lodge No 2 F&AM gave the Lecture and WB Orvosh delivered the Charge. The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brother. At the sound of the gavel in the East WB McCauley raised the lodge to the third degree. WB Heath, in his capacity as Grand Lodge Inspector, then took the floor and congratulated the officers on the work done today. He noted that it has been at least a year since any degree work has been done in the lodge and that it is difficult, indeed, to start from scratch but that the Brethren had made the necessary effort to present the degree work in a proper manner. He especially singled out Brother Smith for the extremly fine first degree lecture, noting that, he has heard the lecture many time over the years but very, very seldom as well done as was done by Bro. Smith.
Brother Smith thanked WB Heath for his kind remarks and then conveyed fraternal greetings from the WM and Brethren of his mother lodge, Tokyo No. 2 and also from Research Lodge. WB McCauley also thanked Brother Smith for the beautifully done lecture and requested that Bro. Smith return our warmest fraternal greetings to the WM and Brethren of his mother lodge as well, as to the WM and members of Research 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 1723 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and WB Heath PM, JW in the South.
There were 11 Brethren present. (9 members, 1 visitor; and candidate)
APPROVED:
C. R. ASHENDEN, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary