The 464th 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 13th day of February 1999.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Herrera, SW in the West, and Bro. Taylor, 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 the following named Brethren who passed to the Celestial Lodge on the date indicated:
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's register of this date and welcomed everyone. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February 1999, 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, seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges 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:
FRIENDLY TIPS: WB Hodges reported that WB Masaki is working on his Annual Report and that WB Katagiri has completed the 1998 Financial Report. They will both be published and sent to all the Brethren by the end of March 1999.
COACHING: RWB Watanabe reported that Bro. Mendoza is ready to give half of his proficiency in the First Degree. WB Hodges reported that he has spoken with Bro. Mendoza today and received his commitment to be completely ready to give his proficiency by the third Saturday of March. He recommended, and it was approved, that Bro. Mendoza be scheduled to give his proficiency on that day to be followed by our passing him to the Second Degree.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: WB Hodges advised that he still intends to hold an "Administrative" Lodge of Instruction just as soon as our schedule will permit.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges informed the Brethren that we have all the proper paperwork concerning our investment with Eagle Star in the isle of Jersey and that there is no problems or concerns at this time. He then pointed out that we are and will continue to be in a deficit spending situation, primarily because we are earning almost nothing on our fixed investments with Citibank and the number of dues paying members is less than 60. He recommended that the Investment Committee review the matter with the object to trying to find more suitable investment for the in excess of 13/14 million yen we now have in Citibank. WB Katagiri volunteered to prepare an analysis of potential investment schemes for presentation to the Investment Committee by our March meeting. WB Masaki requested WB Katagiri to proceed.
BALLOTING: WB Masaki reported that the Committee of Enquiry returned a full and favorable report on the petition of Mr. Reizo Nakanishi. A secret ballot was then had and Mr. Reizo Nakanishi was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 January 1999 and two other letters from Grand Secretary concerning matters pertaining to the Tokyo Masonic Association. He provided copies of the Grand Secretary's letter of 30 January concerning the Grand Lodge Communication, RWB Inae's letter concerning reservations for the Grand Lodge Communication Banquet and lunch on 12 & 13 March 1999 and a copy of four proposed Resolutions to change or modify the Constitution forwarded by the Jurisprudence Committee, to each of the principal officers of the lodge. He recommended that the response to the proposed resolutions be left in the hands of the principle officers of the lodge since there is no time for discussing these resolutions. His recommendation was accepted by WB Masaki. WB Hodges then urged the Wardens to attend the Communication since they each carry a vote and it is their duty to do so if at all possible.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Thomas H. Hodges, PM, was installed as the Secretary of this lodge by RWB Watanabe, SGW, assisted by WB Katagiri. Proclamation was made by WB Katagiri.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was lowered to the Second Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Bro. Naoki SHIGETSUGU, who had previously given his proficiency in the First Degree.
Bro. Shigetsugu was obligated as a Fellowcraft Mason by WB Katagiri, PM, with WB Masaki, WM, in the East, Bro. Herrera, SW in the West, and Bro. Taylor, JW, in the South.
The Working Tools were presented by Bro. McGuire. The Staircase Lecture was given by Bro. Herrera. The Letter "G" Lecture was given by WB Masaki. The Charge was delivered by WB Katagiri.
The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly Passed Brother. After congratulations were extended by those in attendance, Bro. Shigetsugu was escorted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge of FC Masons was closed and labors in the lodge of MMs resumed.
WE Masaki extended warm congratulations to Bro. Herrera for his excellent Staircase Lecture. WB Katagiri congratulated WB Masaki for his excellent presentation of the Letter "G" Lecture in Japanese.
Bro. Taylor recommended that we consider having another picnic this summer in Negishi, both for the benefit of the Brethren and their families but also to inform the community that the lodge is here and to give us an opportunity to publish Masonry to the general population. Bro. Taylor was requested to take to himself suitable assistance and proceed with the planning an execution of a picnic sometime in the May to July time frame.
WB Hodges reported that Bro. Ed Lawson, a member of this lodge, has presented the lodge with a gold and silver Medallion commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. He pointed out that Bro. Lawson is an affiliate member of this lodge and that his Mother Lodge is in Connecticut. He gave a brief history of Bro. Lawson and indicated that a suitable letter would be prepared for signature by the WM and sent to Bro. Lawson. He also indicated that a suitable engraved plate will be mounted on the box containing the Medallions to commemorate Bro. Lawson's gift.
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 short form in accordance with Edict #13 at 1707 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM, in the East, Bro. Herrera, SW, in the West, and Bro. Taylor. JW in the South.
There were 10 members present, including the candidate.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary