The 456th 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 April 1998.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Masaki, WM, in the East, WB Warnell, PM, Acting SW, in the West, and Bro. Herrera, JW, in the South.
The WM welcomed everyone and recognized the Distinguished Brethren and first time visitors as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 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.
The Treasurer's Report was then given by WB Katagiri, PM, who moved and RWB Watanabe, SGW, seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges 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:
SICK & VISITATION: WB Hodges provided an update on the status of his wife and thanked the Brethren for their continued concern and support.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that thanks to the efforts of Bros. Herrera and Taylor, Bros. Posey and McGuire are without and prepared to give their proficiency in the Second Degree.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Hodges requested WB Masaki to schedule a lodge of "General Administrative Education" as soon as convenient.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges and WB Katagiri reported that the necessary documents for our ¥7.5M investment in the Eagle Star International Life Fund were completed on 03/16/98 and forwarded to P.I.C on the 17th. He then read a letter of acknowledgment from Bro. Ferguson who is the Director of P.I.C. WB Hodges advised that Bro. Ferguson called just prior to the opening of lodge to extend his regrets as he will be unable to attend our meeting today. He was caught with the duty in Tokyo and unable to leave until too late. He indicated that he would see WB Hodges sometime next week with more information concerning our investment.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a petition for the degrees of Masonry submitted by Mr. Alexander Oco Reyes after which WB Masaki instructed that the petition take the usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: After the lodge was raised, the Secretary read two letters from the GM introducing WB Yuya Hirose, PM, as our GL Inspector and announcing the GL 23rd Annual Children's Festival. After the lodge was seated, the Secretary read a letter from the GS announcing that the GLOJ extended formal recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Washington and Jurisdiction and lifting the restriction on visitations with lodges under the GLOP. The Secretary then read the GL Bulletin of 20 March 1998 and concluded by reading a letter from Bro. Paul Brubaker, who included a very generous donation to the General Fund of $100.00. The letter concerning Prince Hall invoked much discussion with a number of Brethren raising a number of points concerning this matter, none of which could be answered by the Brethren present and resulted in a suggestion that WB Masaki attempt to get some answers at the next Grand Lodge Executive Committee Meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Masaki presented Bro. Leyeza with his Master Mason's Diploma. He then read a very warm speech extorting WB Warnell's contributions to the lodge and the Fraternity and noting that WB Warnell is scheduled to depart Japan in June. He then presented WB Warnell with his PM Certificate from Grand Lodge together with the wallet card.
RWB Watanabe then spoke on the highlights of the Grand Lodge Annual Communication. Among other things, he noted that Tokyo #2's resolution to conduct business in the First Degree was again defeated; that the GM recommended that the term of office for the GM be changed to two years from one year; and concluded his remarks by noting that Yokosuka #20 raised 45 candidates in 1997. Some discussion was then had on possible way that our EAs and FCs could be involved in the lodge activities. A number of suggestions worthy of further study were made.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the Second Degree for the purpose of listening to the proficiency in this degree by Bros. Anthony F. Posey and Marvin H. McGuire, IV. Bro. Posey was examined by Bro. Herrera and Bro. McGuire by Bro. Taylor. Upon conclusion of the examinations, WB Masaki declared both proficient. He then called the lodge briefly free from restraint for purposes of congratulating Bros. Posey and McGuire. Bros. Posey and McGuire were then escorted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised back to the Third Degree. WB Hodges then moved and WB Katagiri seconded a motion that the lodge donate the sum of ¥25,000 to the Grand Lodge Annual Children's Festival. MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges pointed out that Bro. Posey is scheduled to depart Japan in early June and it will be necessary to raise Bro. Posey prior to his departure. Bro. Taylor requested that every effort be made to raise Bro. McGuire as quickly as possible. After discussion, WB Masaki announced that we will raise Bro. Posey at the Stated Meeting of 9 May 1998 and, subject to confirmation, we will raise Bro. McGuire on 16 May 1998.
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 1640 hours with WB Masaki, WM, in the East, WB Warnell, PM, Acting SW, in the West, and Bro. Herrera, JW, in the South.
There were 13 Brethren present of whom 2 were candidates, 1 EA (who remained without the lodge) 1 visitor, and 9 members.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary