The 429th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1. F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yarnashita-cho. Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan on the 14th day of October 1995.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:14 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Masaki, 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 1995, 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 corrected.
Next was the Treasurer's report given by WB Hodges. It was moved by WB Hodges and seconded by WB Watanabe 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 McCauley seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
CHARITY: Nothing to report.
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Katagiri provided an update on the medical condition of WB Ohashi.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: Nothing to report.
FRIENDLY TIPS: Nothing to report.
COACHING: Nothing to report.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Nothing to report.
AUDIT: Nothing to report.
INVESTMENT: A discussion was held regarding what to do with the lodge's Government bond when it matures on 20 December, 1995. If a worthwhile investment is not found by then, it was decided that the money will be put in our regular CITIBANK account until a worthwhile investment opportunity comes up. It was also agreed that we must be frugal with our spending, partly because we won't be receiving the interest we used to be receiving with this bond.
HOUSE: WB Hodges reported that no rental payments will be made to Masonic Hall Limited for any purpose until further notice.
BALLOTTING: WB Welsh announced that the Committees of Inquiry had submitted favorable reports on the petition of Mr. Rodolfo Herrera and he was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: It was with great honor and pleasure that the Secretary read a Petition from MWB Allan LeRoy Robinson for dual membership in our lodge.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read one piece of correspondence from the GM, a letter encouraging support of the 1996 calendar program. Also read were the GLOJ Monthly Bulletin dated 20 September, 1995, a letter from the GLOJ Adhoc-Concert/Fellowship Committee concerning their upcoming barbecue, a letter from the Grand Secretary regarding the timely submission of resolutions to be presented at the Annual Communication, and a "heads up" from WB Katagiri, Chairman of the GL External Relations Committee, regarding media coverage of Freemasonry.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM made motion to approve his Resolution to amend Section 60 of the Constitution and other portions as necessary to permit opening of the Lodge in the First Degree to conduct Stated Meetings. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges made a motion that our annual installation be held on the 3rd Saturday of January (20 January), following our regular Stated Meeting on the Second Saturday of January (13 January). MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the second degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Bro. Leyeza. Bro. Leyeza was obligated as a Fellowcraft Mason with WB Welsh in the East, WB Katagiri in the West, and Bro. Masaki in the South. WB Welsh presented the Working Tools, Bro. Warnell the Staircase Lecture, and WB Welsh the Letter "G" and the Charge. Upon completion of the degree work, the lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Leyeza his being passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason
At the sound of the gavel in the East the lodge listened to the proficiency in the 2nd degree by Bro. Miyata. WB Watanabe conducted the examination at the conclusion of which WB Welsh was most pleased to pronounce Bro. Miyata proficient. The WM then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Miyata and permitting him and Bro. Leyeza to depart from the lodge.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised to the 3rd degree.
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 17:43 hours with WB Welsh, WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and Bro. Masaki, JW in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
HENRY W. WELSH III
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Secretary