The 527th 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 1st day of October 2005.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 14:15 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, SW in the West, and Bro Buda, acting JW, in the South.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 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.
Treasurer gave the report for the month of September and 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:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Martin W. Sneathern of Microsoft Co.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 20 September 2005 and email from Bro Luis Mendoza had been pinned on the bulletin board in the conference room and invited interested brethren to read them. He also introduced a letter from Bro Eugene Side who had been presented with a 50-year pin.
REGRETS: From WB Masaki, Bro Akimoto and Bro Mendoza by email.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Worshipful Master read Article 2 of By-Laws.
INITIATION: At 15:20 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of conferring this degree on Mr. Larry E. Jackson and Mr. Yoshiki Takeda. After giving three distinct knocks on the door they were admitted into the Lodge and obligated as EAMs by WB Herrera, Master of the Lodge with MWB Katagiri, acting SW in the West and Bro Buda, acting JW in the South. MWB Watanabe gave the Apron Lecture, Bro Buda the Working Tool Lecture; MWB Katagiri gave the Degree Lecture in English and the Charge was delivered by Bro Buda in English and by MWB Watanabe in Japanese.
At this point, the WM asked Bro Walter Johnson to be placed West of the Altar and announced that he would be enrolled in the 100 Golden Club on January 1st 2006. He briefly explained the club and presented the Life Membership Dues Card for 2006. Bro Johnson said that he was very happy and thanked all brethren of the Lodge.
After calling the lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating both Bro Jackson and Bro Takeda they were conducted from the lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was called to labor in the Third Degree at 16:55.
The WM 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 17:20 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting SW in the West, and Bro Buda, acting JW in the South.
There were 6 brethren and 2 EAs present.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary