The 445th 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 08th day of March 1997.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1411 hours with WB Warnell, PM, WM, in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, TR, Acting SW, in the West, and Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for silent prayer in remembrance of Bro. Kenneth A. E. Gustafson who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 06 March 1997. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
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 March 1997, 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 Katagiri then gave the Treasurer's Report and moved that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MWB Robinson, PGM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges, PM, Secretary, then read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. MWB Robinson seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the following, all committee reports were negative:
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Warnell reported that WB Welsh has spent much time and many sleepless nights this past week attending to the needs of the family of Bro. Gustafson. He advised that there will be a memorial service for Bro. Gustafson at the Yokosuka Chapel on Wednesday, 12 March 1997 starting at 1300 hours. He advised that he would be attending and that he will come by the lodge at 1030 that morning and anybody that desires can ride with him to Yokosuka.
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that he received a phone call from Bro. Kitamura expressing his desire to do his proficiency in the First Degree at our April meeting. WB Watanabe plans to get with Bro. Kitamura prior to that time to ensure that Bro. Kitamura is properly prepared to give his proficiency. WB Hodges reported that he was not sure whether Bro. Johnson will be ready for his Second Degree proficiency by the April meeting but advised that he knew that Bro. Johnson is working on it. WB Warnell advised that we will have a Second Degree if Bro. Kitamura is prepared and that if Bro. Johnson is prepared, we will listen to his proficiency at our April meeting and will plan on raising him at our June meeting.
AUDIT: WB Katagiri reported that he reviewed the books back for three years but had been unable to find the cause of the discrepancy in the Treasurer's records for 1996. He recommended that the discrepancy be written off. WB Hodges requested WB Warnell to conduct his own review of the books prior to deciding what action to take concerning this matter. WB Warnell agreed to review the books and report his findings, together with his recommendations, at our April meeting.
BALLOTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the Grand Lodge Bulletin of 20 February 1997. WB Warnell then summarized a memorandum from the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee which lists a number of topics that will be submitted for Grand Lodge action at the Annual Communication and asked if the Brethren wished to vote on any of the items or let the lodge representatives vote their conscience. A vote was not requested. WB Warnell and WB Hodges then discussed the proposed resolution to conduct Stated Meetings in the First Degree vice the Third Degree which had been submitted by WB Hodges. After a thorough review, the Brethren present voted unanimously to submit the revised resolution, as attached.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Warnell reported plans for two open forums on Masonry, one in Tokyo and one in Yokohama, are progressing and that additional information will be forthcoming.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges moved and WB Katagiri seconded a motion to donate US $500.00 to the family of Bro. Gustafson. MOTION CARRIED. WB Warnell indicated that he would ask WB Welsh to make the presentation to the widow.
WB Hodges then moved and WB Katagiri seconded a motion for the lodge to pay the Grand Lodge Communication Fee. MOTION CARRIED.
After asking Bro. Makdisi to retire from lodge, WB Warnell announced that if there be no objections, he would proceed to obligate Bro. Makdisi as a dual member of this lodge. There being none, Bro. Makdisi was admitted and obligated as a Dual Member of this lodge by WB Warnell. After signing the lodge By-Laws, Bro. Makdisi was given a warm welcome by WB Warnell and the 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 1530 hours with WB Warnell, PM, in the East, WB Katagiri, PM, TR, Acting SW, in the West and Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
There were 8 Brethren present of which none were visitors.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary