The 577th 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 3rd day of April 2010.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:00 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, acting JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of WB Thomas H. Hodges, PM who had transferred to the Celestial Lodge above on 8 March 2010. After tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
Then WB 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 2010, 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 March and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of March was given by the Treasurer 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 that the G/L Bulletins of 27 March has been posted on the bulletin board in the Conference Room.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥8,000+6.00 USD was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Since we could not get in touch with Bro Kraker, the Secretary asked the Worshipful Master to arrange contact with him through Bro de las Alas who was one of his sponsors.
NEW BUSINESS:
CHANGING MAY MEETING DATE: The date had been changed from 1st May to 8th May due to the holidays. The necessary request for a special dispensation had submitted been to the GL.
LODGE'S WEBSITE: The Member's section had been moved to another server for not only memory but security purposes as well. The total site had become so huge and complicated that the webmaster alone was finding it more and more difficult to maintain the site correctly. The help of the Brethren is needed. Whenever you find any malfunctions while you are browsing the site, please report them to either the webmaster or lodge secretary.
A MASONIC TALK ABOUT MASONRY: For a Masonic Talk by Bro Ed Lawson, WM Inomata made the Lodge free from restraint at 13:50 hours and invited all Brethren and petitioners into the lodge to listen to the talk.
Bro Ed started his talk with comments about his early days when he became a member of FE1 in 1967 and Bro Eric Anderson interpreted his talk for the better understanding of Japanese Brethren. Bro Ed gave an inspiring presentation on Brotherly Love and the Bridge that Masonry builds across continents, countries, and cultures. He spoke about his Masonic Book collection and his desire to donate as many books as possible to the FE1 library. At the same time, he warned that a lot of junk books or information on Masonry overflowed in bookstores and on the Web as well.
He concluded that we should speak the truth and live honesty as members of this fraternity.
After labor in the MM degee was resumed at 15:00 hours, the Lodge proceeded to the next items.
COMING SCHEDULE:
WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S COMMENT: WB Inomata reported on the Annual Communication of GLoJ, named the elected Officers and gave the result of proposed resolutions. Bro Secretary added to his report that he himself had been appointed as a Senior Grand Deacon.
CLOSING: At 16:00 hours, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:15 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, acting JW in the South.
There were a total of 17 Brethren of this Lodge present including 2 FCs and 1 EA. Also 3 potential candidates joined us during harmony.
We received regrets from WB Buda, Bros Sneathern, Wachi, de las Alas, Taniuchi and Jordan.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary