The 447th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1. F.&A.M. ws held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Japan, on the 10th day of May 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 Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
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 May 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, PM, 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, PGM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the following, all committee reports were negative:
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: WB Warnell gave a brief rundown on the Open Forum on Masonry held at the American Embassy compound in Tokyo the evening of 09 May 1997. He noted that the function was attended by about 30 people of which about 5-6 were non-Masons. The function was considered a success as it is reasonable to expect that the non-Masons attending will talk to there friends and Freemasonry will benefit by accurate information being conveyed. It was mentioned that one of the attendees is a likely candidate as his father is a Mason and coming to visit his son in October of this year. The son may want to be raised while his father is in Japan. MWB Robinson suggested that the Lodge purchase and sign a Thank You Card for WB Warnell's Mother-In-Law who prepared and served a most delicious meal after the function.
COACHING: WB Warnell reported that Bro. Ogiu attended the function and that he was able to encourage him to continue to study for his proficiency. WB Watanabe reported that the Grand Master has proposed that the proficiencies in Japanese be reduced in content to enable our Japanese Brethren to complete their proficiencies easier.
AUDIT: WB Warnell reported that he had completed his review of the 1996 Financial Report and that he had found one erroneous entry that reduces the discrepancy to approximately ¥27,000. He indicated that once the Financial Statement has been redone to account for the erroneous entry, an adjustment voucher will be approved to bring the books into balance and that no further effort to locate the error is considered worthwhile.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary reported that no Grand Lodge Bulletin was received for April 1997. WB Watanabe reported that the Grand Lodge has received a letter from the Grand Lodge of England asking the GL of Japan if they had any objections if England recognized the Prince Hall Lodge of the State of Washington. It is anticipated that the GL's response will be negative thus paving the way for this Grand Jurisdiction to also recognize the Prince Hall Lodge of Washington. This news was greeted with pleasure by the Brethren.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Warnell requested Brothers Herrera and Hayden to place themselves West of the Altar where he was pleased to present them with their Master Mason's Diploma.
NEW BUSINESS: IAW Article VI, Section 1 of the Lodge By-Laws, WB Hodges reported that the following Brethren are delinquent or in arrears for their 1997 or 1997/1997 dues:
WB Warnell then announced that this lodge of MMs had also convened for the purpose of raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason Bro. Walter Morris Johnson. Bro. Johnson was obligated as a Master Mason with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
It being high-twelve, the craft were called from labor to refreshment for the purpose of raising Bro. Johnson to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Bro. Johnson was raised by WB Warnell with Bro. Masaki in the West. At the sound of the gavel in the East, Bro. Montgomery, assisted by WB Hodges, gave the lecture; MWB Robinson delivered the charge; WB Warnell presented the Masonic Bible, Masonic Pin and Apron and WB Hodges presented the By-Laws, Constitution, Monitor, Dues card and the book of the Master Mason.
WB Warnell then informed Bro. Johnson that as the youngest MM in the lodge, he had preference to address the lodge over all others. Bro. Johnson responded with appropriate remarks.
WB Warnell then thanked Bro. Alex Stevenson for visiting the lodge today and invited him to return as often as his situation permits. Bro. Stevenson responded with appropriate remarks.
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 1750 hours with WB Warnell, PM, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West and Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
There were 11 Brethren present of which 1 was a visitor.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary