The 582 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 2nd day of October 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 Buda, 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 John J. Muraoka who had transferred to the Celestial Lodge above on 15 September 2010. After tolling of the chimes the WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
The 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 October 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 4 September and Special Meeting on 25 September and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer’s report for the month of September was given by the Secretary due to the absence of Bro 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: The WM reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr Hoshi Yasumitsu. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge by ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the Monthly Bulletin of 29 September and approved GLEC Minutes of 19 June had been tapped on the bulletin board in the Conference Room.
CHARITY: An Amount of ¥8,981 (¥8,881+1.00 USD) was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Secretary reported that the Member’s Section of our website had moved to a new address with a new ID and Password for security purposes. This had been announced at the September Monthly meeting but only two Brethren had responded. To avoid misunderstanding, the Secretary explained in Japanese and added that the site is one of the best and contained a wealth of Masonic information.
NEW BUSINESS:
READING BY-LAWS: The WM read Article II, Section 2 of By-Laws concerning Election and Appointment.
RESTORATION: Bro Secretary asked the Lodge to approve the reinstatement of Bro Stephen Mahnke who had been suspended for Non-Payment of Dues on 31 December 2009 but was now in good standing. The approval was given by unanimous show of hands.
EDUCATIONAL TALK: After calling the Lodge free from restraint for a short break and to allow EAs and FCs to join us for the next item on the agenda, WB Inomata invited WB Buda to give a short lecture as part of the Lodge's continuing Masonic Education Program.
WB Buda chose 'The Art of Memory' as his topic for the lecture. Many young Brethren wonder why Masonry places such importance on memorization, from the proficiency examinations they take when they are progressing through the degrees, to the lectures they are asked to deliver during degree conferrals. WB Buda traced the historical origins of the connection between Operative and Speculative Masonry and, with the help of a handout of timelines and quotations, showed that the requirement for good memory work dates back to the days of operative lodges. He then spoke about the intense interest that Scottish intellectuals of the late 16th and early 17th centuries showed in architecture, esoteric philosophy, and the symbolism of operative lodges, including knowledge of the Ancient Master's Word. WB Buda concluded that Brethren were at liberty to explain the necessity and benefits of good memory work in any way they chose, but they should recall that our Ancient Brethren valued the Art of Memory as a key to developing their own knowledge of Masonry and its symbols.
WB Buda's lecture was followed by a lively Q&A session, after which WB Inomata thanked WB Buda for another stimulating lecture.
LABOUR RESUMED: The WM then asked the EAs and FCs present to retire from the Lodge and labor was resumed.
COMING SCHEDULE: The Lodge decided the following:
MM’s PROFICIENCY TEST: Bro Secretary took this opportunity to remind Brethren of a recent change in our Constitution. Hitherto, passing the MM proficiency had been a requirement for advancement to one of the elective offices. Under the amended Constitution, demonstrating a proficiency in the MM degree was a requirement for any office in the Lodge, both elective and nominative. He noted that a large number of MMs had not yet taken their MM proficiency test, and encouraged them to do so as soon as possible.
CLOSING: At 16:10 hours, there being no other business, WB Inomata proceeded to close the Lodge in due and ancient form.
Present were a total 15 MMs of this Lodge, with FC, EA and petitioner. We had also Bro Sugita, No. 11 and Bro Daisuke Muranaka from Acacia Lodge No. 669, Grand Orient of Italy as visitors.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary