The 458th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M. held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 13th day of June 1998.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with WB Masaki, WM in the East, Bro. Herrera, JS, Acting SW, in the West, and RWB Watanabe, SGW, Acting JW, in the South.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's register of this date and welcomed our visiting Brethren. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of June 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 WB Hodges, PM, 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.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: RWB Watanabe reported that the Annual Children's Festival was held as scheduled and was a great success with more than 800 children and adults attending.
COACHING: Bro. Taylor reported that Bro. McGuire is not yet ready to give his MM proficiency.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges reported that our investment money has reached Eagle Star and the check has cleared. We are now awaiting the arrival of the policy documents which should be in hand prior to the July meeting.
BALLOTING: WB Masaki reported that the committee of investigation on the petition of Mr. Alexander Oco Reyas has returned a full and favorable report. The ballot was then had and Mr. Alexander Oco Reyas was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read an application for Dual Membership submitted by WB Charles Anson Bond, WM, Yokosuka Lodge #20. WB Masaki directed that the application take the usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 May 1998.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Masaki requested Bro. Macomb and Bro. McGuire to place themselves West of the Altar after which he presented them with their Master Mason Diploma and congratulated them again.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Masaki called the lodge briefly free from restraint for the purpose of changing officers. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Alexander Oco Reyas. Mr. Reyas was obligated an Entered Apprentice Mason with RWB Watanabe, Acting WM, in the East, Bro. Herrera, JW, Acting SW, in the West, and WB Masaki, WM, Acting JW, in the South.
WB Hodges presented the Lambskin Apron. Bro. Leyeza presented the Working Tools. WB Katagiri gave the Lecture. WB Hodges delivered the Charge.
The lodge was then called briefly from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Bro. After congratulations were extended by those in attendance, Bro. Reyas was escorted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East, labor in the lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons was closed and labor in the lodge of MM resumed.
After closing remarks by WB Masaki, WB Katagiri and WB Hodges, the WM 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 1705 hours with WB Masaki, WM, in the East, Bro. Herrera, JW, Acting SW, in the West, and RWB Watanabe, SGW, Acting JW, in the South.
There were 15 Brethren present of whom 2 were visitors, 1 Candidate and 1 EA, who remained without the lodge except for the degree ceremony, and 11 members.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary