The 469th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Nakaku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 11th day of September 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. Gordon Alden Hinschberger, who passed to the Celestial Lodge on 25 May 1999. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days in honor of our departed Brother.
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 September 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 Hodges, 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 and moved that the bills be paid. RWB Watanabe 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 AND VISITATION: RWB Watanabe reported that WB Nakano has been hospitalized and seems not to be doing so well. He recommended that the Brethren keep WB Nakano in their prayers. Flowers were sent on behalf of the lodge by WB Masaki.
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: Bro. Taylor reported that the Negishi Picnic Grounds are not available due to construction work recently started. As no other suitable grounds are available, further planning for a picnic has been discontinued.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that Bro. Mendoza is prepared to give his proficiency in the Third Degree.
MASONIC EDUCATION/LODGE HISTORY: RWB Watanabe reported that WB Katagiri's book on the history of Masonry in Japan will be published in the near future. He encouraged the Brethren to purchase when available. He also advised that the Grand Lodge Translation Committee will be undertaking several projects to translate suitable Masonic writings into the Japanese Language for future distribution to the General Public.
BALLOTING: Secret balloting was had on the petitions for Freemasonry submitted by Messrs Francisco Evestain Marigundon, Jr., and Roderick Filio Santos; both of whom were elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: After the lodge was raised, the Secretary read two letters from the Grand Master, both under date of 31 July 1999. One letter spoke to the matter of the operation of the Orient of Okinawa and Guam, A.A.S.R. and the other concerning Guide to Masonic Lodges in Japan. After the Brethren were seated, the Secretary read the Grand Lodge Bulletins of 20 July and 20 August 1999; a letter from the Grand Secretary reporting a donation to the Grand Lodge of Turkey and last, a letter from Bro. Shoji Saito concerning the 50th Anniversary of Demolay in Japan.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM instructed Bro. Mendoza to place himself West of the Altar where he was examined in the Third Degree by WB Hodges and afterward declared proficient by WB Masaki. The lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro. Mendoza.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, extensive discussions were had concerning the Perpetual Life Membership Fund proposed by the Grand Master in his letter of 1 May 1999. It was the opinion of the Brethren in attendance that a Perpetual Life Membership Fund operated and administered by the Grand Lodge is neither desirable or useful. This lodge has successfully operated and administered a successful Life Membership Fund since 1950 (while the lodge was under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines) and as reconfirmed by the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Japan on 14 March 1969. No advantage to this lodge can be determined by transferring the function to the Grand Lodge. On the other hand, the work load of the Grand Secretary's office would increase by a magnitude of several times and would further overload an office presently unable to perform all functions required of it as witnessed by the fact that it takes as long as 3 years to publish changes made to the Constitution and even longer to publish the Grand Lodge Proceedings. Adding work to the Grand Secretary's office is not considered a viable option.
NEW BUSINESS: At the sound of the gavel in the East. WB Masaki called the lodge free from restraint for the purpose of WB Hodges conducting an informal Lodge of Administrative Instruction. The following items of general interest were explained and discussed during the lodge of instruction:
At the sound of the Gavel in the East, WB Masaki thanked all for contributing the Lodge of Instruction. He 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 1700 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 7 Members present.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary