The 517th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. &A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 3rd day of April 2004.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with WB Masaki, PM, SW, acting WM in the East, VWB Koole, SGL, acting SW in the West, and Bro Mendoza, JW, in the South.
At the sound of an alarm at the door, MWB Saburo Katagiri, Grand Master, Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Japan, was received with Grand Honors and seated in the East. After receiving the gavel, MWB Katagiri raised the lodge and announced the death of MWB William Melvin Heath, PGM on Saturday, 27 March 2004. After prayer and tolling of the bell, the charter was draped and will remain so for a period of 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren and first time visitor present as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date and announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2004, 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 then gave his report after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period after which he moved and it was seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
CHARITY: WB Hodges reported on the status of the orphanages attending the annual Children’s Festival in Tokyo, noting that one of the orphanages will be unable to attend this year due to prior commitments. No decision has yet been made by the second orphanage. Alms in the amount of ¥5,950 were collected.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that Bro Jackson now hopes to give his proficiency at our May meeting. It seems that his work has kept him too busy to devote enough time to the proficiency but hopes the situation will improve in April.
BALLOTTING: None
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None. WB Hodges reported that he recently seen the prospective candidate who continues to express interest but has not yet finalized his decision.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 27 March 2004. He then read excerpts from a letter from Grand Lodge regarding the upcoming Children’s Festival after which he moved and it was seconded that the lodge donate ¥30,000 to the Festival fund. MOTION CARRIED.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Open discussion was had on the untimely demise of MWB Heath. During these discussions, MWB Katagiri, Grand Master, announced that Grand Lodge would definitely hold a lodge of Sorrow but it is too early for specific details to be announced; such will be published at a later date. Additional points that were made during these discussions:
MWB Katagiri then gave a brief summary of the Grand Lodge action taken on the Resolutions proposed and supported by this lodge. He noted that only Resolution 2004-1 was approved. The others failed.
MWB Katagiri then read his acceptance speech as Grand Master for the benefit of the Brethren who were unable to attend the G/L Communication, as he felt it expresses his hope and concern for the future of Masonry in Japan.
Our first time visitors were welcomed and presented with a memento to commemorate their visit. The visitors responded with appropriate remarks, with VWB Koole extending fraternal greetings from Yokosuka Lodge #20, Demolay Land Lodge and Research Lodge of Japan.
After determining that there was no further business to come before this Lodge of MM’s, WB Masaki requested MWB Katagiri to close the lodge in short form. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed in short form by MWB Katagiri at 1554 hours WB Masaki, PM, SW, acting WM in the East, VWB Koole, SGL, acting SW in the West, and Bro Mendoza, JW, in the South.
There were 7 members and 2 visitors present.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary