The 470th 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 9th day of October 1999.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, MWB Heath, PGM, 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 WB Bruce Allen Riffle, PM, who passed to the Celestial Lodge in September 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 October 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 WB Welsh, PM, seconded that the report he accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges then read and moved that the bills be paid. WB Welsh seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the following, all committee reports wore negative:
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges advised that it may be necessary to find an alternate for our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. It may be that the Seamen's Club will be closed for renovation at that time. Final decision to be made at our November meeting.
INVESTMENT: WB Hodges advised that there is a need to consider additional off-shore investment of lodge funds in order to obtain a greater return on our money. He recommended we consider additional investment in Eagle Star but suggested that the Brethren "sleep" on the matter until a future meeting.
BALLOTING: WB Hodges read a request For Demit submitted by WB Charles Anson Bond, PM. His dues having been paid until 31 December 1999 and hearing no objections, WR Masaki ordered the Demit granted.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: WB Hodges advised that he was in receipt of a petition for the degrees but that it was not in good order and could not be read at this time. Perhaps it will be possible to read at our November meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 September 1999.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Additional discussion was had on the Grand Master's proposed Perpetual Life Membership Fund. At the conclusion, WB Welsh moved and WB Fullerton seconded a motion that this lodge not join the proposed Fund. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary was authorized to finalize his draft letter of response and forward to Grand Lodge in the name of this lodge.
NEW BUSINESS: At the request of WB Masaki, WB Welsh read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws and Articles 100 through 100d of the Constitution.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Masaki lowered the lodge to the First Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Francisco Evestain Marigundon, Jr., who was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in this lodge at our September 1999 meeting. After sounding an alarm, Mr. Marigundon was obligated an Entered Apprentice by MWB Heath, PGM, with WB Fullerton, PM, Acting SW in the West and Bro. Taylor, JW, in the South. WB Hodges conducted the candidate; RWB Watanabe, DGM, presented the Lambskin Apron and WB Hodges the Working Tools. The Lecture was deferred until our November meeting.
After Bro. Marigundon was conducted from the lodge, the lodge was raised to the Third Degree by MWB Heath.
Peace and harmony prevailing, WR Masaki then proceeded to close the lodge in short form as authorized by Edict 13 at 1615 hours with WB Fullerton, PM, Acting SW, in the West and Bro. Taylor, JW in the South.
There were 11 Brethren present including the candidate and one visitor.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary