The 555th 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 5th day of April 2008.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:20 hours with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and Bro Inomata, JW in the South.
WB Buda recognized RWB Donald K. Smith, JGW, and Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date. He also introduced Bros Koichi Terasawa, SW of Square and Compass Lodge No. 3 and Hector A. Emberga, JW of Kutang Bato Lodge 110, Cotabato City, Philippines.
He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2008, 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 1st March and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of January was given 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 following:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None
BALLOTTING: None
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 26 March and Minutes of GLECM of 26 January had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room. He then introduced a letter from WB Otani, PM, who would like to reinstate to the Lodge. He had been suspended since 31 December 2002 as a result of suspension by Yuai Lodge No. 11 for NPD on 14 Dec. 2002.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥6,400 was collected from Brethren present.
LOWERING THE LODGE: The Lodge was lowered to the First Degree and the WM invited all EAs and FCs into the Lodge Room at 13:40 hours for the First Degree Lecture which had been postponed from last month's meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: At 13:45 hours, The EA lecture was given by Bro Inomata to Brethren initiated last month and also to all EAs and FCs participating in the meeting that day.
NEW BUSINESS: At 14:25 hours, WB Buda gave a short Masonic Lecture entitled "A Daily Advancement in Masonic Knowledge".
At the beginning of his talk, WB Buda pointed out there were two main sources of Masonic knowledge; the first being Guided Study and the second source of Masonic knowledge was Independent Study.
He then introduced several areas of study that the newer members of this Lodge might find interesting and enlightening such as History of Freemasonry, Masonic Jurisprudence, Philosophy and Symbolism, Literature and Art, Anti-Masonry, Masonic Ritual, Regalia and Accessories, and Contemporaries Issues, while showing some relevant books and examples of Masonic jewelry and coins as well as ritual books from other Constitutions.
After the Masonic Talk was over, WB Buda announced the finalized schedule for the first Table Lodge to be held by the two Yokohama Lodges. It would be hosted by Lodge Star in the East No. 640 and held at Bro. Sami Qureshi's restaurant in Chinatown from 13:00 hrs on Saturday, 19 April 2008.
RESUMING THE LODGE to the MM degree at 15:15 hours after the EAs and FCs had retired.
COMING SCHEDULES: Bro Secretary announced the following:
BALLOTING for reinstatement of WB Otani took place and received a unanimous affirmative vote. The Worshipful Master declared that the WB Otani had been reinstated, however as his suspension arose from Yuai No. 11 originally, the official announcement of his reinstatement would be after No. 11’s reinstatement.
Before closing the Lodge, WB Buda invited RWB Smith to give some comments or advice on the Lodge’s ritual work. RWB Smith expressed his pleasure at seeing a Lodge providing Masonic education for its members, congratulated the Brethren on good ritual work, and said he had enjoyed his visit thoroughly.
Bro Terasawa brought fraternal greetings on behalf of the Lodge members of S&C No. 3 and also Sinim Lodge, GL of Massachusetts. Bro Emberga brought fraternal greetings from his mother lodge, Kutang Bato Lodge #110, Philippines.
CLOSING: At 15:50 hours, the WM announced that we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:00 hours in short form with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and Bro Inomata JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Wachi, Taniuchi and Tei (FC).
A total of 16 members of this Lodge including 4 EAs and FCs and 3 Visitors had joined the meeting today.
APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary