The 467th 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 12th day of June 1999.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, RWB Watanabe, DGM, Acting 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 Bro. Joe Morris Spiegel who passed to the Celestial Lodge in May 1999. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
RWB Inae, SGW, GLOJ, was received with Grand Honors and seated in the East.
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 June 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 WB Hodges, PM, seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges then read and moved that the bills be paid. RWB Watanabe, 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:
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Taylor reported that most of the arrangements for the picnic have been finalized. Specifics will be furnished by WB Hodges shortly for publishing prior to our next meeting. Bro. Johnson, Bro. McGuire and some other friends are assisting.
COACHING: WB Katagiri reported that Bro. Shigetsugu was prepared to give his proficiency in the Third Degree.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 May 1999; a letter from the GS describing a new pamphlet by MWB Yoshio Washizu, PGM, titled Anti-Masonry in Japan; and excerpts from an e-mail from Bro. Michial Lindstrom.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: At the instructions of the WM, Bro. Shigetsugu placed himself West of the Altar where he was examined in the Third Degree by WB Katagiri. Upon completion of the examination, WB Masaki pronounced Bro. Shigetsugu proficient in the Third Degree. The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly proficient Brother.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Masaki announced that we would confer the first section of the Third Degree on Bro. Luis Francisco Mendoza and that the second section would have to be performed next month as we simply did not have enough qualified people to confer the second section. He instructed the Stewards to retire and prepare Bro. Mendoza. Bro. Mendoza sounded an alarm at the door of the preparation room and was admitted and obligated as a Master Mason by WB Katagiri with WB Masaki in the East, RWB Watanabe in the West and Bro. Taylor in the South. WB Hodges conducted Bro. Mendoza and presented the Working Tools. The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brother and to permit him to restore himself to his personal comfort.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Masaki extended warm appreciation to RWB Watanabe, WB Katagiri and WB Hodges for their assistance on very short notice. Bro. Mendoza spoke briefly, thanking the Brethren for assisting him to get this far in his travels and expressing his anticipation on receiving the second section of this degree at our next meeting.
RWB Inae, SGW, addressed the lodge; thanking WB Masaki for the warm reception and congratulating the Brethren for the fine work seen here this afternoon. He then presented the lodge with a small statue of a cat as a token of his appreciation and to remind the Brethren of this day. He explained the meaning of the cat and why it is used in Japan as a symbol of "prosperity" and urged the Brethren to keep it "fed" and happy at all times so that good fortune will continue to fall on Far East Lodge No. 1. The Brethren responded with a warm round of applause and appropriate remarks by WB Masaki.
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 1645 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM, in the East, RWB Watanabe, DGM, acting SW in the West, and Bro. Taylor, JW in the South.
There were 10 members, including the candidate and one visitor present.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary