The 537th 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 September 2006.
A Lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Herrera, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and WB Buda, PM, JW, in the South.
The WM 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 September 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 Monthly Meeting held on 1st July and Special Meeting held on 29th July were both approved as read.
The Treasurer gave the report for the month of July 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 Messrs. Taiki Ogawa, Yoshikane Tei, Seiichi Honda and Akihiro Tatara.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Takeshi Noma. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge by ballot of the member present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that both G/L Bulletins of 20 July and August had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room. He also introduced an Education Paper from MWB Jim Johnston, a letter requesting the submission of a Lodge History from every constituent Lodge to MWB Johnston, the Grand Historian, letters between GL of California and GLOJ on WB Vanvig’s Masonic status and also one from TMA asking us to recommend a brother to be Counselor to fill the vacancy left by WB Dennert who passed recently.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥5,800 was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK & VISITATION: The Secretary announced that Bro Larry Jackson had been in US for treatment of bad hip pain resulting from an old injury. As we had not heard anything from him lately, he asked theWorshipful Master to check on this matter and report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recommendation for TMA Counselor: WM asked MWB Katagiri to accept the position and received an affirmative answer from him. The WM then motioned that the Lodge recommend MWB Katagiri to the said position and this was seconded. The motion received an unanimous affirmative vote from the Brethren present. MOTION CARRIED.
Third Degree Proficiency Test: Bro Dimitris Tsuruyiannis was examined by MWB Watanabe and he showed us an excellent performance. The WM of this Lodge declared that he was proficient in the Third Degree.
Lowering to the Second Degree: At around 14:30, the Lodge was lowered to the Second Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon FCs Bros Takashi Tsujii and Hiroki Mikuni, and all FCs outside were invited into the Lodge Room. The test was conducted by MWB Katagiri and the WM announced that they were proficient in the Second Degree.
Lowering to the First Degree: The Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Kiyoshi Wachi, EA. The test was conducted by WB Masaki and the WM announced he was proficient in the First Degree.
PASSING: At around 15:10, labor was resumed in the Second Degree for purpose of conferring the FC Degree upon Bro Wachi who had knocked on the door and beenadmitted into the Lodge by acting SS, Bro Tsuruyiannis and acting JS, Bro Sneathern.
The Obligation was given by MWB Watanabe and the Working Tool Lecture by Bro Tsujii, FC, both in Japanese.
At around 16:05 hours, the Second Section was started and MWB Watanabe, acting SD, gave the Staircase Lecture. The G Lecture was given by WB Masaki, acting Master, and the Charge delivered by MWB Katagiri. All of the above were given in Japanese.
At 16:50 hours, the Lodge was called free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly passed brother. The Lodge then resumed labor in the Third Degree for Closing.
The Master of the Lodge announced that he would proceed to close in short form at 17:00. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed at 17:10 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.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Inomata, Sagara and Akimoto.
There were 12 Brethren present including 4 FCs of this Lodge, RWB Robert Kool, Grand Lodge Inspector and WB Tony Kanemitsu of Aomori #10 as visitors. Also 4 petitioners joined our harmony before the meeting. It was a slightly crowded meeting.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary