The 437th 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 June 1996.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with Bro. Warnell, SW, Acting WM in the East, Bro. Masaki, JW, Acting SW in the West, and WB Katagiri, PM, Acting 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 June 1996, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
WB Hodges, PM, then gave the Treasurer's Report and moved that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. WB Watanabe, PM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges, Acting Secretary, then read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. MWB Robinson, PGM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the House Committee, all committee reports were negative. WB Hodges reported on the laying of the carpet tile and WB Katagiri commented on the professional quality of the job.
BALLOTING: By secret ballot, Mr. Walter Morris Johnson was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
CORRESPONDENCE: After the lodge was raised, the Acting Secretary read the Grand Master's Special Dispensation #14/96 then the GL Bulletin of 20 May 1996, a letter from Lodge Star in the East No. 640, and a letter from the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on the Wheelchair Sports Seminar.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Special Election for Master and any Warden's position that might be vacated as a result of the election was then held and the following Brethren were elected to the positions indicated:
WBE Warnell then appointed Bro. Ramon Santo Leyeza to be the Marshal for the balance of the year. After the lodge was called off, MWB Allen L. Robertson, PGM, assisted by WB Thomas H. Hodges, PM, proceeded to installed the aforenamed Brethren in their respective offices in an open installation of officers at the conclusion of which WB Hodges proclaimed the newly elected and appointed officers to be duly installed in their respective offices.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Warnell then asked if anyone was prepared for examination and was informed that two FCs were without and prepared. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the Second Degree and all FCs invited to a seat in the lodge. WB Warnell then instructed Brothers Herrara and Volinic to place themselves west of the altar where they were examined in the Second Degree by Bro. Leyeza. Upon conclusion of the examination, WB Warnell declared Bros. Herrara and Volinic proficient in the Second Degree. He then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for congratulations and announced during the recess that we would raise Bro. Volinic to the Sublime Degree of MM at our July Meeting and that we would consider holding a Special Meeting to confer the First Degree on Mr. Johnson.
After all FCs departed the lodge, the gavel was sounded and the lodge raised to the Third Degree. After receiving congratulations from the Brethren present, 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 1631 hours with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West and WB Watanabe, PM, JW, in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present of which 3 were Fellowcrafts and 1 a visitor.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Acting Secretary