The 411th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M., was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 19th day of February 1994.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1417 hours with WB Watanabe, PM, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Welsh, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Bro. Floyd Leonard RAY who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 07 January 1994. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February 1994, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last stated meeting arid all subsequent Special Meeting. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's report given by WB Hodges, PM. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by Bro. Welsh 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. Welsh seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Watanabe was pleased to receive a negative.
SICK & VISITATION: Nothing to report.
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that 13 people attended the installation banquet and that the cost to the lodge was just over ¥26,000.
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that Bro. Macomb hs not yet contacted him for assistance but that does not mean that he is not studying.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Watanabe submitted a negative.
AUDIT: WB Watanabe reminded the Audit Committee that they should complete their audit and report their findings as soon as possible.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
HOUSE: WB Hodges submitted a negative.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The petition for Dual Membership in this lodge submitted by Bro. Jimmie Dale WARNELL was read after which the WM directed it to run the usual course of action.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 January 1994 and, after the lodge was raised, a letter from the Grand Master, and when the lodge was seated, a letter from the Chairman of the Wheelchair Athletic Seminar Committee. Bro. Welsh then moved and WB Hodges seconded a motion for the lodge to donate ¥100,000 to the seminar committee. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Hodges reported that WB Byron Dean BROWN, PM, must be suspended for non-payment of dues, since his Mother Lodge, Yokosuka #20, suspended him for NPD on 31 December 1993. It was so ordered. WB Hodges reported that Bro. Masahiro YOSHITAKE has paid his dues last month and was reinstated.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Watanabe distributed his tentative schedule for 1994 and asked the Brethren to review for any needed additions, deletions or changes.
He informed the lodge that we will most likely have one or two petitioners for the degrees of Masonry this year and most likely from Japanese men. He advised that if the petitions are received, the degree work will most likely be conducted in the Japanese language. He noted that the annual schedule has several functions planned that will permit Non-Masons to attend and he encouraged the Brethren to attend the planned functions and to try their best to bring at least one non-Mason as this is a good way to introduce non-Masons to the fraternity. He advised that he will appoint members to the various committees at our March meeting.
WB Hodges then reported that there is a significant difference in the cash on hand and the book balances. He went into a lot of detail to explain how he had arrived at this determination and after clarification of many points, WB Katagiri moved and Bro. Welsh seconded a motion that the deficit be written off by means of an Adjustment Voucher and that the Audit Committee, as part of their audit, do an in-depth analysis to see if the discrepancy can be accounted for. MOTION CARRIED
WB Watanabe requested the Brethren to familiarize themselves with the various proposed amendments to the Grand Lodge Constitution and to be prepared to discuss them at our March meeting.
WB Katagiri advised that MWB Johnston's Doctor's Thesis has recently been translated into Japanese and that it is quite educational and informative. It is being sold by Grand Lodge at a cost of ¥600 per copy and he strongly recommended that the Japanese Brethren purchase a copy as it will provide them with a lot of information on Masonry in Japan.
RWB Allen, GLSW, then spoke briefly and extended fraternal greetings and announced that the Grand Lodge of Research will hold elections and installation on 05 March 1994 and invited all to attend.
RWB Yamaya, DGM, then spoke and thanked the Brethren for their very generous donation to the Wheelchair Athletic Seminar and elaborated on the reception of these seminars by both individual handicapped persons and professional people involved in working with the handicapped. He noted that this years' seminar will be held in Osaka and it is expected that about 250 people will attend. He also noted that attendance at this annual event grows with each passing year and that it is helping a lot of people who might not otherwise receive assistance. It also presents a most worthy image of Masonry to the Japanese people. He ended his remarks by encouraging as many as who possibly can to attend and render such assistance as they can.
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 1558 hours with WB Watanabe, PM, in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Welsh, JW in the South.
There were 10 Brethren present of which 3 were visitors.
APPROVED:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary