The 524th 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 2nd day of April 2005.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:15 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 then recognized the Distinguished Brethren and first time visitor as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
Worshipful Master, prior to the Minutes being read, announced the death of RWB Joe A. Diele, HPJGW of GLJ, and moment of silence was observed in memory of our departed Brother. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2005, 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 gave his report for the month of March after which he moved and it was seconded that the report 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: Alms in the amount of ¥3,410 was collected.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Masanori Sagara and Mr. Larry E. Jackson.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 20 March 2005 had been pinned on the bulletin board in the conference room and invited Brethren to read them.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Secretary introduced the Annual Communication briefly and spoke that our reigning Master, WB Rodolfo C. Herrera had been appointed to Grand Standard Bearer.
NEW BUSINESS: At 14:40 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Norihiro Inomata. After three distinct knocks on the door, Mr. Inomata was admitted into the Lodge and Obligated an EAM by WB Herrera with WB Masaki, SW in the West and Bro Mendoza, JW in the South. MWB Watanabe gave the Apron Lecture, Bro Miyata the Working Tool Lecture in Japanese, MWB Katagiri gave Degree Lecture in Japanese and MWB Watanabe delivered the Charge in Japanese.
After calling the lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro Inomata, he was conducted from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was resumed to the Third Degree.
The WM then commented on the Lectures and 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 at 17:00 hours in short form with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and Bro Mendoza, JW in the South.
There were 10 brethren including one Candidate and a Visitor.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary