The 550th 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 10th day of November 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.
Then WB Masaki recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
And he announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of November 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 6th October and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of September was announced by MWB Katagiri 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 followings:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. SATO, Mamoru, Co. Employee and KAJIWARA, Yasuyoshi, Surgeon.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins and Minutes of GLECM had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room. He then introduced letters from TMA (about the Masonic Center becoming a No Smoking area), an email from Bro Raymond Beach thanking the Lodge for his 50 Years Pin and an email from WB Welch saying he was back in Japan.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥4,985 + $5.30 was collected from the Brethren present.
CONFERRAL SCHEDULE: The Secretary announced tentative following schedule.
SICK AND VISITATION: The Secretary reported that WB Henry Welsh had returned to his home here.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
READING BY-LAWS: Article II, Section 2 of the By-Laws was read by the Secretary.
NEW BUSINESS:
THIRD PROFICIENCY TEST: Bro Wachi announced that he was ready for his MM’s test and was examined by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the Third Degree.
RAISING: At 14:30 hours, an MM degree conferral was begun upon Bros Tatara and Taniuchi.
At 14:40 hours, by three distinct knocks the first section of the ceremony of the MM degree began and the Candidates were admitted into the Lodge. They were obligated MMs by WM Masaki and the Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro Wachi, both in Japanese.
The second section of the ceremony started at 15:45 hours by MWB Watanabe as KS and WB Masaki as HT. Bro Taniuchi received the short form of the Tragedy and Bro Tatara the regular form. At 16:55 hours, the Degree Lecture of a MM was given by MWB Katagiri and the Charge was delivered by WB Masaki. After the newly raised MMs had signed the Lodge's By-Laws, they expressed their thanks to the Brethren of this Lodge at the Altar. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly raised brethren.
CLOSING: At 17:40 hours, the WM announced that he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:45 hours in short form 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 Tsujii, Ogawa and Takeda.
There were 15 brethren including a FC and EA present, and a Petitioner joined the harmony before the meeting.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary