The 544th 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 7th day of April 2007.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:20 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, PGM, acting JW in the South.
WB Masaki called the Brethren up for a moment of silence in remembrance of Bro Deloyed McCune and Bro Vernon Diel of this Lodge who were summoned to the Celestial Lodge above on 21 December 2004 and 02 September 2005 respectively and the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brothers.
The WM 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 April 2007, 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 3rd March and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave the report for the month of March, 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. Koji SUZUKI, a system engineer of Hitachi Ltd.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Tsuyoshi Taniuchi. 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 and Minutes of GLECM of 20 February were tacked on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also reported that RWB Robert Koole, SGW, had again been appointed the GL Inspector to FE#1 and the 32nd Children's Festival will be held on 20 May, Sunday. The Secretary made a motion that this lodge donate ¥30,000 to the festival and this waaas seconded. MOTION CARRIED.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥3,456+$1.00 was collected from the Brethren present.
ANNUAL COMMUNICATION: The Secretary reported on the Communication briefly and the proposed resolution which we discussed last month did not receive even a simple majority. MWB Katagiri added some comments on this matter.
MAY MEETING: Will be scheduled on May 5. The Secretary asked to Brethren present to postpone it one week since the day is in the holidays. With their approval, the meeting date will be changed to 12 May and the Secretary will take the necessary procedure.
50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY: The Secretary reported that Bros Boom and Eastham will be celebrating theirs on April 10 and 30, and letters, pins and checks are ready to post.
LODGE OF INSTRUCTION: Proposed by Bro Inomata, a Lodge of Instruction was held on Saturday, March 31 for the edification and education of the Lodge's newest Master Masons. By request from brethren participating on that day, Bro Secretary decided that every last Saturday of the month, on an as-needed basis, will be reserved for a lodge of instruction and rehearsal for conferral.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
EA LODGE OPENED: At 14:10 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Ogawa Taiki. The Junior Deacon invited him into the Lodge and he was placed West of Altar and examined. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the First Degree.
SECOND DEGREE CONFERRAL upon Bros Ogawa and Honda was started by raising the Lodge to the 2nd degree at 14:30. At 14:45, by three distinct knocks on the door the above-mentioned Brethren were admitted into the Lodge and Obligated FCs by WB Masaki. The Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro Mikuni in Japanese.
At 15:10 hours, the Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated brethren and enjoying a short break before the Degree Lecture started.
At 15:30, the Lodge resumed work again and the Staircase Lecture was given by MWB Watanabe and the “G” Lecture was given by WB Masaki, both in Japanese. The Charge was given by MWB Katagiri and then WB Masaki, Master of the Lodge, gave necessary instructions to the newly passed FCs.
CLOSING: At around 16:30 hours, the WM raised the Lodge to the 3rd degree again and announced that he would proceed to close in short form. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:45 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting SW in the West, and MWB Watanabe, acting JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had received from Bros Buda, Wachi, Takeda and Herrera. There were 15 brethren (including three EAs) present, and 3 Petitioners joined our harmony.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary