The 528th 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 November 2005.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours (SD33-05) 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 November 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 October and 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:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a request for Demit from Bro Jun Nishiyama and Bro Reizo Nakanishi. After ascertaining that their dues were paid in full, they are not under Masonic Charges and after hearing no objections from the floor of the lodge, WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this Lodge ordered the Demit granted.
BALLOTTING: After announcing a full and favorable report on the Petition for the Degree submitted by Mr. Martin W. Sneathern balloting was done and he was elected. The WM instructed the Secretary to inform the candidate that we will confer the first degree on 26 November at Special Meeting starting at 13:00.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 20 October had been pinned on Bulletin Board in the conference room and directed Brethren to read them.
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: The Secretary spoke about the Installation of Officers for the ensuing year and the Banquet. The date will be after the January Business Meeting on 7th January 2006 but the Installing Officer’s schedule has to be confirmed and MWB Katagiri will check it. As for the banquet place, the Brethren choose Sami’s, the same as last year.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Worshipful Master read Article 2 of By-Laws.
NEW BUSINESS: At 14:20 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Larry E. Jackson. The Junior Deacon invited him into the Lodge. He was then placed West of Altar and examined by MWB Watanabe. WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this Lodge declared him proficient in the First Degree.
After calling the Lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating Bro Larry Jackson, he then was conducted from the Lodge. At the sound of the gavel in the East, the Lodge resumed labor in the Third Degree at 14:50.
At 15:15 hours, after three distinct knocks on the door by Bros Inomata and Sagara they were admitted into the Lodge and Obligated by MWB Watanabe in Japanese as Master Masons. Bro Akimoto gave the Working Tool Lecture in Japanese.
The Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment at 16:05 hours, and the Tragedy started by MWB Watanabe as KS and MWB Katagiri as HT. The Tragedy was conducted in bi-lingual form. The Lodge was called from Refreshment to Labor again at 16:50. MWB Watanabe gave the Second Section of the Degree Lecture and Bro Miyata gave the Third section in Japanese. MWB Katagiri gave the Charge.
The lodge was briefly called free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating both raised brethren and at the sound of the gavel in the East, 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 in short form at 17:45 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 12 brethren including 3 visitors and 1 EA.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary
[Secretary's Note:]
Before the Lodge opened on this date, we had a visitor, Mrs. Haruko Robertson, who is the widow of MWB Robertson, PGM, and was asking for our help about the land they have in Florida, USA.
MWB Katagiri knew the late MWB Robertson in person and will take care of this case.