The 384th 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 July 1991.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:16 hours with WB McCauley, WM in the East, Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and Bro. Smith, (Acting) JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel, the lodge was upstanding for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Bro. Charles B. Feldhaus who died on 29 June 1991. After prayer, the WM ordered the Charter draped for a period of 30 days.
He then proceeded to receive MWB Hideo Kobayashi, PGM, Grand Master and his party with Grand Honors and seated them in the East.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren (and first time visitors) as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of July 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 Hodges, PM. It was moved by WB Otani and seconded by WB Watanabe, 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 moved and Bro. Lindstrom 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: MB Hodges submitted a negative and WB Watanabe reported that he had received summer greetings from MWB Nishiyama who continues to do well but is still unable to go out.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Lindstrom provided an update on the picnic and urged everybody to come and bring their friends and family.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: Bro. Lindstrom reported that Bro. Macomb is not quite ready to give his 1º proficiency but prepared to give the working tools during the degree work scheduled for today.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: None required.
INVESTMENT: MB Hodges reported that Grand Secretary has forwarded our letter concerning our investment in the G/L Consolidated Investment Fund to the Grand Treasurer and the GL Investment Committee for actions. It is expected that our funds will be returned to us in August or September 1991. WB Hodges also reported receipt of ¥100,000 on 19 June 1991 from GL, which was interest received by GL on our funds.
HOUSE: NB. Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: Bro. Raymond Russell Blauvelt's petition for Restoration was favorably ballotted by the Brethren.
RECEPTION OP PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of June 20, 1991, and after the lodge was called up, he read the GM's Proclamation of 6 July 1991 declaring the week of 16-23 August 1991 as "INTERNATIONAL RAINBOW WEEK". MWB Ditto PGM, Grand Secretary, informed the lodge that the GM had also declared the week of 7-14 July 1991 as the "CARLOS RODRIQUEZ-JIMINEZ WEEK" in honor of that extremely distinguished mason.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS None.
NEW BUSINESS. At the sound of the gavel in the East WB McCauley lowered the lodge to the first degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Takumi Masaki. Mr. Masaki was obligated as an EAM by WB Ohashi PM with Bro. Lindstrom in the West and Bro. Smith in the South. WB Iwahama PM presented the Lambskin Apron, Bro. Macomb presented the Working Tools, WB Watanabe gave the lecture and WB Ohashi delivered the charge.
Upon completion of the degree work and after Bro. Masaki was seated among the Brethren, MWB Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary took the floor and spoke on a number of matters and then presented WB Hodges with his commission as Grand Lodge Inspector for Yokosuka Lodge No. 20. After WB Hodges responded with appropriate remarks, MB McCauley called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulatinq Bro. Masaki. After Bro. Masaki was conducted from the lodge, MB McCauley raised the lodge to the third degree and called on MWB Kobayashi to address the lodge and afterward, to close the lodge in short form.
MWB Kobayashi thanked the Brethren for their warm reception and spoke on other matters. Upon conclusion, he proceeded to close the lodge in short form at 1735 hours with Bro. Lindstrom, SW in the West, and Bro. Smith, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 16 Brethren present. (6 G/L Officers, 2 visitors, 6 members and the candidate).
APPROVED:
C. R. ASHENDEN, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary