The 414th 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 14th day of May 1994.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:16 hours with WM Watanabe, PM, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Welsh, 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 May 1994, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of the last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings.
The Acting Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
Next was the Treasurer's report given by Bro. Warnell. It was moved by Bro. Warnell and seconded by Bro. Welsh that the Treasurer's report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Acting Secretary then read the bills for the period and Bro. Warnell moved and Bro. Welsh seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: The June Wheelchair event in Osaka was discussed. WB Katagiri, RWB Yamaya, and WB Watanabe plan to attend the event. WB Watanabe reminded the Brethren of the upcoming Children's Festival on 22 May and asked that anyone wanting to help should do so.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Katagiri provided an update of WB Hodges' medical condition and the Brethren were invited to visit him at the hospital. WB Hodges is recovering from his operation very well.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: A negative report was submitted.
FRIENDLY TIPS: A negative report was submitted.
COACHING: A negative report was submitted.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Nothing to report.
AUDIT: WB Katagiri reported that the audit will commence after this, the May Stated Meeting.
INVESTMENT: A negative report was submitted.
HOUSE: A negative report was submitted.
BALLOTING: A negative report was submitted.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: A negative report was submitted.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 April 1994, a letter from the GM regarding an optional Bible lecture, a letter from the GM concerning the Children's Festival on 22 May, and the Senior Grand Lecturer's introduction of RWB Yamaya as the Grand Inspector for 1994.
At this point, the WM raised the lodge for a moment of silent prayer in remberance of Bro. Gilbert Howe who passed to the Celestial Lodge in April 1994. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter be draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS: Bro. Welsh suggested that we look into the possibility of providing assistance to a local orphanage, if one can be identified. Bro. Warnell volunteered to look for an area orphanage and report his findings at the next Stated Meeting.
As a result of a conversation with Bro. Welsh, the DGM recommended that a notice of our meetings be posted at the Negishi Navy Base so that Brethren living and/or working there might learn of our existence and possibly start attending lodge here. Bro. Welsh volunteered to make up the notice and recommended that the notice be posted in various other locations.
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 1513 hours with WB Watanabe, PM, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West and Bro. Welsh, JW, in the South.
There were 6 Brethren present.
The GM granted special verbal dispensation (through RWB Yamaya) to open the lodge with less than 7 Brethren.
APPROVED:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Acting Secretary