The 519th 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 5th day of June 2004.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and Bro Mendoza, JW, in the South.
The WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren and first time visitor as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date and announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of June 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 a Brother of Lodge Star in the East No. 640 had donated the operating system, in Japanese, for the 10 computers to be donated and that all seem to have gone well. Alms in the amount of ¥4,500 were collected.
COACHING: WB Hodges reported that Bro Jackson was present and prepared to give his proficiency in the first degree.
INVESTMENT: MWB Katagiri recommended that the Investment Committee hold a meeting to review the lodge investment with Eagle Star. WB Herrera directed the Secretary to coordinate such a meeting prior to his departure for the States on 17 June 2004.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 May 2004.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Hodges reported that he has heard nothing further concerning any type of memorial service to be held by Yokosuka #20 for MWB Bill Heath. It appears that we must wait until the Grand Lodge holds its Lodge of Sorrow for MWB Bill in the fall to pay our last respects.
WB Hodges also reported that the necessary paperwork has been finalized to add MWB Katagiri and WB Masaki to the list of authorized check signers.
NEW BUSINESS: At 14:58 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree and Bro Charles J. Jackson, Jr. was admitted and after being examined he was declared proficient in the First Degree by WB Herrera. The lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly proficient Brother. After Bro Jackson was then escorted from the lodge and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft for the purpose of conferring this degree on Bro Jackson.
Bro Jackson sounded and alarm and was admitted and obligated a Fellow Craft Mason by WB Herrera with WB Masaki, SW, in the West and Bro Mendoza, JW, in the South. Bro Jackson was conducted by Bro Buda who also gave the Staircase Lecture. WB Herrera gave the Letter “G” lecture, WB Masaki the Working Tools and MWB Watanabe delivered the Charge. After calling the lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulations, Bro Jackson was conducted from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised to the third degree and closed in short form at 17:07 hours by MWB Katagiri, Grand Master, at the request of WB Herrera. Prior to closing the lodge MWB Katagiri congratulated Bro Buda on an excellent Staircase Lecture and WBs Herrera and Masaki on their excellent work this afternoon.
There were 10 members present, including the candidate, plus one visitor.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary