The 418th 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 8th day of Oct. 1994.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:13 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 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 October 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 corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's report given by WB McCauley. It was moved by WB McCauley and seconded by WB Welsh that the Treasurer's report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Acting Secretaiy then read the bills for the period and Bro. Warnell moved and WB McCauley seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: WB Hodges reported that he had been contacted by the Yokohama Women's Association regarding a Christmas donation this year. WB Hodges said that he would contact the Association and ask them to clarify what they need this year. Last year our Lodge bought them an artificial Christmas tree that we had hoped would be used over and over again.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges provided a very favorable update on Bro. Phil Hunt's medical condition, advising that Bro. Hunt is making a remarkable recovery and thanking the Brethren for their prayers.
WB Katagiri provided a report regarding the hospitalization of WB Ohashi. It was decided that this would be an appropriate time to present WB Ohashi with his PM's jewel & apron while in the hospital. Bro. Welsh made a motion that flowers around yen ¥10,000 be bought for WB Ohashi. The motion was seconded by WB Hodges and approved by the Brethren. WB Katagiri will present WB Ohashi with his jewel, apron, and flowers on either 10 or 11 October.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: It was decided that our Thanksgiving dinner will be held on 26 November at the Seamen's Club. WM Watanabe asked the Secretary to send out invitations and to include an invitation for Bro. Hunt.
FRIENDLY TIPS: A negative report was submitted.
COACHING: WM Watanabe advised that coaching for Bro. Miyata is a bit delayed due to Bro. Miyata being so busy expanding his business.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Katagiri reported that the GLOJ's Translation Committee's work on MWB Johnston's Book, "Masonic History of Japan" has been completed and highly recommended that our Japanese Brethren get a copy.
AUDIT: A negative report was submitted.
INVESTMENT: A negative report was submitted.
HOUSE: A negative report was submitted.
BALLOTING: Favorable ballots were cast restoring Bro. John H. Tibbitt' s membership in the Lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: WM Watanabe announced that he had recently met a Brother Mason living in Yokohama who is interested in becoming a dual member of our Lodge. WM Watanabe gave the Brother the necessary forms to complete.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the G/L Monthly Bulletin of 20 September 1994 and the minutes of GLOJ Executive Committee Meeting of 23 July 1994. In addition, the Acting Secretary read a report from the GLOJ's Resolutions Committee regarding Committee meetings prior to the opening of the 1995 Grand Lodge Annual Communication, a communication from the GLOJ' s Awards Committee asking for nominations of Brethren deserving of official recognition, a communication from the Research Lodge of Japan seeking papers to present to the Research Lodge of Japan during the coming quarterly meetings, and finally, a communication from the GLOJ requesting clothing donations for victims of a fire in Bangkok on 29 August 1994. WM Watanabe read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS: 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. Yukio Kitamura, who was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this Lodge at a previous stated meeting. Mr. Kitamura was conducted by Bro. Masaki, SD, and was obligated by WM Watanabe in the East, WB Katagiri in the West and Bro. Welsh in the South. Bro. Welsh presented the Lambskin Apron; Bro. Sasaki the Working Tools and WM Watanabe the first part of the lecture and Bro. Masaki the second part. WM Watanabe delivered the Charge. Bro. Kitamura 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. Kitamura returned to the Lodge and the degree work concluded. After being instructed in various matters pertaining to Masonry, Bro. Kitamura 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. MWB Robinson, Grand Master of Masons in Japan, addressed the lodge and spoke on the high regard he places on the office of WM of a 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 by MWB Robinson in short form at 17:32 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 11 Brethren present. (8 members and 3 visitors)
APPROVED:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Acting Secretary