The 558th 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 July 2008.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SW in the West, and Bro Inomata, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, MWB Michael D. Setzer, GM was received with GRAND HONORS for his official visit and was invited to a seat in the East.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of WB Kazuyuki Kunioka who had passed away on 24 January 2002. After the tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
WB Buda 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 July 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 7th June and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of June was delivered 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: WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a full favorable report on the petition of Mr. Alawn A. Jordan. Mr. Jordan was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletin of 25 June and the Minutes of the GLECM of 19 April had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also introduced a letter from the GS in reference to member Bro. Booms' request for Masonic help. An e-mail from WB Henry Walsh gave the results of his most recent cancer test.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥7,940 was collected from the Brethren present.
COMMENTS:The Worshipful Master reported briefly on the situation of Bro Booms, a member of our lodge resident in Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture, who was experiencing difficulties in arranging care and accommodation for his disabled wife and himself.
COMMENT BY GM:After concluding all outstanding business at around 14:05 hours, WB Buda invited MWB Setzer to address the lodge. MWB Setzer asked and received the WM’s permission to address the Brethren on the level from the floor of the lodge.
MWB Setzer spoke of his plan to visit all lodges under the jurisdiction of the GL of Japan, and commented on the excellent standard of floor work he had found in many of them. He also spoke of his visits, as GM, to the GL of the Philippine Islands and the GL of Massachusetts. He then turned to the subject of declining membership and pointed out that the prohibition of solicitation did not exclude talking with friends and acquaintances about Masonry. He encouraged Brethren to wear Masonic lapel pins and other identifying marks, and set an example by the quality of their own life and work. He also stressed the importance of DeMolay in introducing young men to Masonry.
After a brief break for photographs, MWB Setzer bid farewell to the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 and the lodge returned to the main item of business that day at 14:35 hours, the conferral of the Third Degree of Masonry on Bros Tei and Suzuki.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:None.
NEW BUSINESS:The MM conferral started with 3 knocks on the door at 14:50 hours, and the candidates were obligated at 15:10 hours. Since we were raising two Brethren at the same time, the Tragedy was repeated twice, in short and regular form. The Obligation was given by Bro Sagara, the Working Tools by Bro Honda, the Lecture by MWB Katagiri, and the Charge by MWB Watanabe, all in Japanese.
After writing their name on the Lodge’s By-Laws, the newly raised Brethren made appropriate remarks at the Altar at 17:30.
COMING SCHEDULE:Bro Secretary announced the following:
Discussion was held on the possibility of holding a Special Meeting in August, for the purpose of initiating Mr. Jordan. Several dates were considered, but as many of the Brethren were unsure of their availability, the WM directed that all Brethren check their schedules and report to Bro Secretary by email as soon as possible.
CLOSING: At 17:50 hours, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MM’s and we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 18:00 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.
There were total 19 brethren present of whom 15 were MMs of the Lodge and 4 were FCs and EAs. One petitioner joined us for our harmony.
APPROVED:
Saburo Katagiri, PGM
Acting Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary