The 534th 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 13th day of May 2006.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:20 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and WB Buda, PM, JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of MWB Chester L. Ditto, PGM, who had transferred to the Celestial Lodge above on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at the Yokosuka Naval Hospital. After tolling of the chimes, the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
And then he announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of May 2006, 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 of the Monthly Meeting held on 1st April and Special Meeting on 8th April. Both of them were approved as read.
The Treasurer gave the report for the months of March and April 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. Hiroki Mikuni, an Office Clerk of Yokohama National University.
BALLOTTING: WB Herrera, WM of the Lodge, reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Kiyoshi Wachi. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins of 20 March and Minutes of the GLEC meeting had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also introduced other correspondence concerning:
At this time, the Secretary made a motion to donate ¥30,000 to the Festival. MOTION CARRIED.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥3,980 + $5.00 was collected from the brethren present.
WHITE LEATHER APRON: The Secretary reported that we have only 2 left on hand and made motion to order 12 aprons through Macoy for a total of approx. $280.00 plus mail and handling charges. WB Herrera will take care of this. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary reported two items of good news to the brethren.
He received an unanimous vote from the brethren present and was reinstated to FE#1 on this date.
UNFINISHED BUSSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
First Degree Proficiency Test: At 14:50 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Martin Sneathern and Bro Takashi Tsujii in English and Japanese respectively. The Junior Deacon invited them into the Lodge, they were placed West of Altar and examined one at a time by MWB Watanabe. WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this Lodge, declared them proficient in the First Degree.
PASSING: At 15:30 hours, the lodge was resumed to the Second Degree for the purpose of passing Bro Dimitris Tsuruyiannis and Martin Sneathern. By three distinct knocks on the door the two Brethren were admitted into the Lodge and obligated Fellowcrafts by WB Herrera. MWB Watanabe gave the Working Tool Lecture and WB Buda the Staircase Lecture. The G Lecture was given by WB Herrera and the Charge was delivered by MWB Watanabe.
The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brethren.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bro Akimoto, Bro Inomata and Bro Larry Jackson.
The Lodge was resumed to the Third Degree again and the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs and we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:05 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and WB Bro Buda, PM, JW in the South.
There were 8 brethren plus one EA present, and two petitioners and a potential candidate joined us during Harmony. Bro Siegfried Manschwedat from Germany joined the meeting as a visitor.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary