The 395th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashito-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 9th day of May 1992.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:35 hours with WB McCauley, PM, WM in the East, WB Heath PM, SW in the West, and WB Ohashi, PM, MA, (Acting) JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge was called up fo a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Brothers Leonard B. Clark, Theodore R. Harrison, Award P. Stevens and Albert H. Bottomley who died on 12/18/91, unknown, 05/03/9l, and unknown. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listd in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of May 1992, 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 Watanabe, PM, 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: WB Watanabe advised there was nothing to report.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Lindstrom reported that he has reserved the Negishi Picnic Grounds for 25/26 July with a rain date of 4/5 August 1992.
FRIENDLY TIPS: No report.
COACHING: WB Watanabe submitted a negative.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB McCauley submitted a negative.
AUDIT: WB Heath reported that the audit committee had completed their audit of the books and are pleased to report that everything is in good order.
INVESTMENT: No report.
HOUSE: No report.
BALLOTTING: None
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 April 1992 and a thank you letter from Mrs Patricia L Schmidt, the daughter of Brother Dale Davis, deceased.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: After requesting WB Otani to present himself west of the Altar, WB McCauley was pleased to present WB Otani with his 25 year pin and letter and thanked WB Otani for his continued support and service to the Craft. WB Otani responded with appropriate remarks and the Brethren gave WB Otani a hearty round of applause.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge was lowered to the first degree for the purpose of listening to the proficiency in this degee by Bro. Welsh. MWB Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, conducted the examination at the conclusion of which WB McCauley was most pleased to pronounce Bro. Welsh proficient. The WM then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Welsh. After being congratulated by the Brethren Bro. Welsh was conducted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge was raised to the second degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Bro. Welsh. Bro. Welsh was obligated as a Fellowcraft Mason with WB McCauley in the East, WB Heath in the West, and WB Ohashi in the South.
WB McCauley presented the Working Tools, WB Watanabe the Staircase Lecture, WB Heath the letter "G" lecture and MWB Ditto, PGM, the Charge. Upon completion of the degree work, the lodge was again called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Welsh on his being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason and to permit him to depart from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised to the 3°.
MWB Cripe, Grand Master of Masons in Japan, addressed the lodge and spoke on the changes that have been made in the way the Executive Committee Meetings are conducted. He also again emphasized his desire that families become more involved in Masonic activities or Masonic sponsored activities. He also requested the Brethren to consider taking out an additional life insurance policy and making Grand Lodge the Beneficiary. This is an almost painless way for each of us to make a significant contribution to the financial stability of Grand Lodge and is highly encouraged and recommended to the Brethren.
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 18:5O hours with WB McCauley, PM, WM in the East, WB Heath PM, SW in the West, and WB Ohashi, PM, MA, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present.(7 members and 6 visitors including the GM)
APPROVED:
JOHN A. McCAULEY, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary