The 446th 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 12th day of April 1997.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1413 hours with WB Warnell, PM, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, Acting JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for silent prayer in remembrance of Bros. Ralph Holt Merritt and MWB Arthur S. Thomas, HPGM, who passed to the celestial lodge on 25 October 1996 and 03 March 1997 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 April 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, PM, TR, then gave the Treasurer's Report and moved that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. WB Watanabe seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges, PM, 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 the following, all committee reports were negative:
COACHING: WB Watanabe reported that Bro. Kitamura was still not ready to give his proficiency. WB Hodges reported that Bro. Johnson was without and prepared to give his proficiency in the Second Degree. WB Warnell determined that we would raise Bro. Johnson at our Stated Meeting of May 1997 and requested Bro. Masaki to assign the work and to contact the Brethren thus assigned individually to inform them of their assignment.
MASONIC EDUCATION: WB Hodges reported that three amendments to the Constitution had been received from the Grand Secretary, dated 1992, 1993 and 1995 respectively. He briefly summarized the most important amendment concerning the procedure to reinstate a Brother who has been suspended for non-payment of dues.
AUDIT: WB Warnell advised that he had forgotten to review the financial report for 1996 and promised to complete his review prior to our May Stated Meeting.
INVESTMENT: WB Katagiri spoke briefly on the state of the Japanese economy and expressed his belief that interest rates will commence rising in the next 2–3 years.
BALLOTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: After raising the lodge, WB Warnell read a letter from the Grand Master introducing us to our Grand Lodge Inspector for this year, WB Serge-Eric Abitbol, PM, who was present and welcomed by WB Warnell. WB Hodges then read the Grand Lodge Bulletin of 20 March 1997.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Warnell provided a status report on the proposed Open Forum on Masonry to be held in the Embassy Compound in Tokyo. It was determined that the Forum would be held the evening of 9 May 1997 from 1800 to 2000 hours and that the event will be published in both Japanese and English. WB Warnell, Bro. Montgomery and Bro. Hayden will be responsible for making the necessary arrangements, including light refreshments to be served. WB Warnell requested everybody that possibly can to attend. He asked WB Watanabe to coordinate the event with Grand Lodge and to invite MWB Yamaya and any other Grand Lodge Officers who desire to attend and to obtain any material for "hand-out" purposes that Grand Lodge may have.
WB Hodges then presented WB Warnell with his Past Master's Certificate which was welcomed by a round of applause from the Brethren. WB Warnell then briefly summarized the most important issues taken up at the Grand Lodge Communication; noting that our Resolution to Amend the Constitution to permit Stated Meetings to be conducted in the First Degree was again voted down. He also advised that the Grand Master had not permitted a vote on the question of recognizing Prince Hall Lodges after being informed by the chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee that Grand Lodge still had "insufficient information available" at this time; even though it appeared evident that the members of Grand Lodge in attendance would have liked to have had the opportunity to vote on this matter. It is to be hoped that this item will be voted on at the 1998 Communication.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East, labors in this lodge of MM was suspended and a lodge of FC Masons was opened for the purpose of listening to the proficiency in this degree by Bro. Johnson, Bro. Johnson was admitted and examined by WB Hodges. At the conclusion of the examination, WB Warnell declared Bro. Johnson proficient in the Second Degree of Masonry. He then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Johnson. After Bro. Johnson was conducted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Warnell closed the lodge of FC Masons and reopened a lodge of MMs. He then raised the lodge and read the GM's letter on the 22nd Annual Children's Festival. He then moved and WB Hodges seconded a motion to donate ¥25,000 to the Festival. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Abitbal spoke briefly on his impressions of the meeting and thanked the WM and Brethren for being so warmly welcomed. He expressed his strong desire to be of assistance during his year as our Inspector and assured WB Warnell that he will be available when and as may be necessary or desirable.
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 1605 hours with WB Warnell, PM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West and WB Watanabe, PM, Acting JW, in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present of which 1 was a visitor.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary