The 548th 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 September 2007.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, JW in the South.
WB Masaki called the Brethren up for a moment of silence in remembrance of Bros Choope, Clark and Hindman of this Lodge who were summoned to the Celestial Lodge above. WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brethren.
Then WB Masaki recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of September 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 our Monthly Meeting held on 7th July and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Secretary gave the Treasurer's report for the month of July at the request of MWB Katagiri in his absence, 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. OGAWA, Tomio, Doctor.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins and Minutes of GLECM of 25 August and 21 July respectively had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the conference room.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥5,040 was collected from the Brethren present.
CONFERRAL SCHEDULE: The Secretary announced that, if candidates succeeded in their proficiency tests, we would confer the FC degree in October, the MM degree in November, and the EA degree in December. And on this coming Saturday, 29 September, we would hold a Lodge of Instruction starting at 13:00 hours in which we would study not only the way of holding Lodges but some Masonic Protocol as well.
He also announced that the November meeting will be delayed one week because of conflict with a National Holiday and the meeting will be held on 10 November.
SICK AND VISITATION: The Secretary reported on the latest condition of WB Welsh in a Honolulu hospital and hoped for his quick recover.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Buda introduced the recent situation of the back yard of our Lodge and said he had asked MHL to hire a professional gardener to cut back the hedge but could not get a positive answer. On this matter, the Secretary suggested that we start with things we can do by ourselves and the date would be on every last Saturday of the month, on the day of Lodge of Instruction.
NEW BUSINESS:
EA LODGE OPENED: At 14:05 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Taniuchi and he was examined by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the First Degree.
At 14:20 hours, the Lodge resumed to the Second Degree for the FC conferral. At 14:40, on three distinct knocks by Bro Taniuchi the first section of the Ceremony began and he was admitted into the Lodge. He was obligated an FC by the WM and the Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro Inomata, both in Japanese.
The second section of the ceremony started at 15:25 hours with MWB Watanabe as acting SD. He conducted the candidate to the place representing King Solomon’s Temple at around 15:45 hours. The ‘G’ Lecture and Charge were delivered by the WM at 16:05. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly passed brother.
CLOSING: At 16:15 hours, the Lodge resumed to the Third Degree and the WM announced that he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:30 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Wachi, Katagiri, Tatara, Tei, Takeda, Tsuruyiannis, and Ogawa.
There were 14 brethren present, including two EAs, and 2 potential candidates who joined us during harmony.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary