The 454th 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 14th day of February 1998.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1410 hours with WB Warnell, PM, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and RWB Watanabe, JGW, Acting 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 Bro. Gerald OSTER who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 31 January 1998. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM welcomed everyone and 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 February 1998, 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.
Due to the absence of WB Katagiri, there was no Treasurer's report.
WB Hodges read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. RWB Heath, DGM, 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 & VISITATION: WB Hodges provided an update on the status of his wife and advised the Brethren that his wife would appreciate "Get Well" cards from the Brethren, either individually or collectively. Cards can be mailed/given to WB Hodges who will deliver them to his wife.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that only 5 people made reservations for the banquet. He reminded the Brethren that it is their responsibility to make reservations when requested to do so.
INVESTMENT: WB Warnell postponed the vote on our proposed investment due to the absence of a number of Brethren.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None, however, WB Hodges advised that he had recently received a telephone call from a Mr. Tanaka who was asking about becoming a Mason.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read a letter from GL forwarding a proposed change to the Constitution to require Business Meetings be conducted in the 1st degree. The change was submitted by Tokyo Lodge No. 2, F&AM. He then read the G/L Bulletin of 20 January 1998.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the 1st degree for the purpose of listening to a proficiency in this degree by Bro. Anthony F. Posey. Bro. Posey was examined by Bro. Herrera at the conclusion of which WB Warnell declared Bro. Posey proficient. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Posey.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised to the 3rd degree. WB Warnell then announced that this lodge had also convened for the purpose of installing the officers, elected and appointed, for the ensuing year. After the Secretary read their names, WB Warnell declared the present offices vacant and instructed the officers to surrender their jewels to the Master of Ceremonies and their aprons to the corresponding officers about to be installed. He announced that MWB Chester L. Ditto, Grand Secretary, PGM, will be the Installing Officer and RWB William M. Heath, DGM, the Master of Ceremonies.
WB Warnell then called the lodge from labor to refreshment as the installation was an open installation and non-Masonic guests would be present. After guests were seated MWB Ditto recognized the guests and dignitaries present. He then proceeded to installed the following named Brethren in the office indicated:
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the gavel was returned to WB Masaki, who thanked the Installing Officers, the Guests and Brethren for attending. He spoke briefly on his hopes and aspirations for the coming year and asked the Brethren to support his efforts for the good of the Fraternity and of Far East Lodge No. 1 in particular. At the conclusion of WB Masaki's remarks, greetings and congratulations were extended to WB Masaki and the newly installed officers by many of the Brethren present.
WB Yuya HIROSE, JGL, GLOJ, presented WB Masaki with a replica for the Pillar of Wisdom that he had crafted with his own hand. After all remarks were concluded, WB Masaki requested RWB Heath, DGM, to close the lodge in short and public form. RWB Heath declared the lodge closed and the Brethren and guests adjourned to the United Seamen's Service International Seamen's Club for some well earned rest and refreshment.
There were 9 members, 7 Masonic guests and 4 non-Masonic visitors present.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary