The 417th 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 10th day of Sept. 1994.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:12 hours with WM 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. Marvin W. Shoal who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 09 June 1994. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM then 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 September 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 WB Hodges 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 WB Hodges seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Negative Report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges provided an update on Bro. Phil Hunt's medical condition.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving Banquet and it was decided that it would be held, tentatively, on 26 November 1994 at the Seamen's Club.
FRIENDLY TIPS: A negative report was submitted.
COACHING: A negative report was submitted.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Nothing to report.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted.
INVESTMENT: A negative report was submitted.
HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that he would soon talk to Gus Swanson about fixing up the Lodge.
BALLOTING: WB Watanabe announced that the Committees of Inquiry have submitted favorable reports on the petitions of Messrs. Yukio Kitamura and Satoshi Onoda and they were elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Acting Secretary read a Petition for Restoration from Bro. John H. Tibbitt who was suspended for non-payment of dues in 1960. The petition will sit in Lodge for a month, to be balloted on during our next Stated Meeting in October 1994.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the G/L Bulletins of 20 July and 20 August 1994 and minutes of GLOJ Executive Committee Meetings of 4 and 25 June 1994. In addition, the Acting Secretary stated that he had received Special Dispensations 28-94 and 34-94 from the GLOJ.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS: WM Watanabe stated that the tentative dates for the First Degree Conferrals on Messrs Kitamura and Onada will be 8 and 29 October 1994 respectively. The WM then asked WBs Hodges and Ohashi to present themselves West of the Altar. To celebrate WB Hodges' 25 years as a Master Mason, the WM presented WB Hodges with his 25 year pin as a token of his Brethren's appreciation and high esteem. WM Watanabe then presented WB Ohashi with a Letter of Appreciation for his assistance with the Second Annual Wheelchair Sports Training Seminar in Yokohoma on 6 March 1993.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Kenichi Miyata, who was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this Lodge at a previous stated meeting. Mr. Miyata was conducted by Bro. Masaki, SD, and was obligated by WM Watanabe in the East, WB Katagiri in the West and WM Welsh in the South. Bro. Welsh presented the Lambskin Apron, WB Katagiri the Working Tools, WB Watanabe the first part of the Lecture, and Bro. Masaki the second part. WM Watanabe delivered the Charge. Bro. Miyata was conducted from the Lodge for the purpose of restoring himself to his personal comfort.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, Bro. Miyata returned to the Lodge and the degree work concluded. After being instructed in various matters pertaining to Masonry, Bro. Miyata was invited to be seated among the Brethren. The WM concluded the ceremony with his remarks and then declared the Lodge free from restraint until the sound of the gavel in the East.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the Lodge was raised to the Third Degree to close the 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 17:38 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 7 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Acting Secretary