The 443rd 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 11th day of January 1997.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1408 hours with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, 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 Bros. John L. Cortner and Clifford E. Dunning, both of whom passed to the Celestial Lodge sometime in 1995. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brethren.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Warnell lowered the lodge to the First Degree and listened to the proficiency in this degree by Brother Walter M. Johnson. The examination was conducted by WB Hodges, at the conclusion of which WB Warnell declared Bro. Johnson proficient. The lodge was called briefly from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Brother Johnson and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge of EAMs was closed and labors resumed in the Third Degree.
The WM then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of January 1997, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The Acting 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 Katagiri, PM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges, Acting Secretary, then read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. WB Katagiri seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of Refreshment and Entertainment, all Committee reports were negative.
WB Hodges advised that all necessary arrangements have been made for the Installation of Officers and the banquet to follow on 01 February 1997. WB Warnell reminded the Brethren to make their reservations as soon a practical and called for a show of hands of the Brethren present who intend to attend. Under coaching, WB Watanabe commented that now that Bro. Kitamura had the opportunity to listen to Bro. Johnson's proficiency, he should have no further reservations about giving his proficiency. WB Watanabe will continue to work with him and encourage him. WB Hodges reminded WB Warnell that he needs to appoint 3 members to audit the books and advised that the WM, Treasurer and Secretary cannot serve on the Audit Committee.
BALLOTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 12/20/96.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Warnell reviewed the plans for the Installation of Officers and reminded the Brethren that it will be an open installation and they are free to invite family and non-masonic friends.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Warnell conducted an extensive discussion concerning the best methods to attract more members to the fraternity. After listening to many of the Brethren's thoughts on this matter, he requested Bro. Herrera to prepare a flyer to be distributed to residents of Negishi Heights announcing the installation to be conducted on 01 February 1997. He also voiced his intention to conduct an open forum on Masonry in the Embassy Housing complex in Tokyo and will publish more information on this as the situation clarifies. Meanwhile, he asked all the Brethren to try to think of ways to inform our community of our existence and to use every opportunity to educate the general public on Masonry and especially how someone can initiated action to become a member of the fraternity.
He then obligated Brother Kenneth A. B. Gustafson a dual member of this lodge. Bro. Gustafson was elected a dual member on 09 November 1996. After calling the lodge briefly from restraint to congratulate Bro. Gustafson, WB Warnell called the lodge to labor and listened to the proficiency in the Third Degree by Bros. Tyrone L. Hayden and Rodolpho C. Herrera. The examination was conducted by WB Hodges at the conclusion of which WB Warnell declared Bros. Hayden and Herrera proficient in the Third Degree. After calling the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly proficient Brethren, 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 1638 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 and no visitors.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Acting Secretary