The 431st 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 9th day of December 1995.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14.20 hours with Bro. Masaki, (Acting) WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West, and WB Welsh, (Acting) 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:
who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 2 Oct. 1995, 12 Oct. 1995, January 1995, 15 June 1995, and 10 April 1993 respectively. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brethren.
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 December 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 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 sevcral committees:
CHARITY: WB Hodges and Bro. Warnell reported on the contribution of 3 turkeys to the Yokohama Women's Association for use in their annual Christmas party for orphans.
The WM directed the Secretary to write the widows of the Brethren who had just passed to the Celestial Ledge to see if they needed any assistance.
SICK AND VISITATION: Nothing to Report.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: The WM advised that due to the unavailability of the installation officer, the installation ceremony would not be held until 10 February 1996. the date of our regularly scheduled Stated Meeting in February.
FRIENDLY TIPS: Nothing to report.
COACHING: WB Watanabe advised that Bro. Onoda will be ready for his proficiency at our January Stated Meeting.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: Nothing to report.
AUDIT: Nothing to report.
INVESTMENT: Nothing to report.
HOUSE: The WM asked if repair and renovation were planned for the lodge in the near future. WB Hodges reported that none is planned in the near future, but it will be planned sometime in 1996.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: One petition for degrees was read for Mr. Walter C. Volinic.
CORRESPONDENCE: The WM read a Request for help from the GLOJ for the Brethren in the Philippines. The Secretary read the G/L Monthly Bulletin of 20 November 1995 and stated that anyone who wishes to read the minutes of GLOJ Executive Committee Meetings of 23 September 1995 and 21 October 1995 could do so after the meeting. In addition, the Secretary read a report from the GL concerning End of Year Reports. Finally, the Secretary read a Demit request from WB Gustav R. Swanson.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM read Article II, Sections 1 & 2 of the lodge by-laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution. The following Brethren will be suspended for non-payment of dues for two consecutive years, 1994 and 1995, if they do not pay before the end of December: Michael Colburn and Katsuhiko Otani.
NEW BUSINESS: The WM read, and the Brethren voted to accept two Resolutions authored by WB Welsh. One, to amend Article 133 of the Constitution and other portions as necessary, and, two, a resolution to modify the necessity to obligate a dual or affiliate member who is in good standing in a lodge in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Japan. The WM then called the lodge free from restraint until the sound of the gavel in the East.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, labor resumed and WB Welsh announced that we would now ballot for the office bearers for 1996. The following named Brethren were elected/appointed to the positions indicated:
The WM then called the lodge free from restraint until the sound of the gavel in the East.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the WM 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 16:13 hours with Bro. Masaki, (Acting) WM in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, SW in the West and WB Welsh, (Acting) JW in the South.
There were 10 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
HENRY W. WELSH III
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Secretary