The 580th 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 July 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 Bro Tsujii, 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 Bro Alfred R. Harrison who was transferred to the Celestial Lodge above on 7 November 2009. After tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
Then WM 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 July 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 5th June and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of June was read by the Secretary due to the absence of 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 Monthly Bulletin of 23 June and approved GLEC Minutes of 15 May had been tapped to the bulletin board in the Conference Room.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥8,394 (¥8,294+1.00 USD) was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Lowering the Lodge to EA degree: After calling the Brethren free from restraint for refreshment at around 13:50 hours, labor was resumed and WB Inomata lowered the Lodge to the EA Degree for the purpose of testing Bro Yamada on his proficiency in that Degree. The examination was conducted in Japanese by MWB Watanabe, and Bro Yamada’s responses were very good. WB Inomata declared Bro Yamada proficient in the First Degree.
FC CONFERRAL: At 14:10 hours, the Lodge resumed labor in the FC degree for the purpose of conferring the Second Degree of Masonry on Bros Yamada and Suzuki.
At 14:30 hours, by three distinct knocks on the door Bros Yamada and Suzuki were admitted into the Lodge and Obligated Fellowcraft Masons by WB Inomata. Bro Suzuki gave the Working Tool Lecture, the Staircase Lecture was given by Bro Taiki Ogawa and Bro Taniuchi gave the G Lecture. The Charge was delivered by WB Inomata. All of the above were conducted in Japanese. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brothers.
After the labor was resumed in the MM Degree at 16:00 hours, the Lodge proceeded to the following items.
COMING SCHEDULE:
WORSHIPFUL MASTER’S COMMENT: WM Inomata congratulated the Brethren who had participated in the FC conferral, specially those who had performed the Lectures and the Candidates themselves.
CLOSING: At 16:20 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 16:35 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and Bro Tsujii acting JW in the South.
There were a total of 18 MMs (including one visitor, Bro Sugita from #11), 2 FCs and 2 Candidates.
Regrets were received from WB Buda and Bro Jordan.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary