Bro Anderson with WB Inomata
The Lodge was finally able to confer the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on Bro Eric Anderson at our Special Meeting held on Saturday, 27 February 2010. Bro Anderson proved his proficiency in the Fellowcraft Degree at our Stated Meeting of 4 July 2009, but for numerous reasons his raising to the Third Degree had to be postponed again and again. His perseverence and patience were rewarded on 27 February when, with WB Inomata in the East, Bro Sagara in the West, and WB Buda in the South, he gave three knocks on the door of the Lodge and was admitted as a candidate for the Third Degree.
The extremely late timing of the Special Meeting (only one day before the end of the month) proved inconvenient for many Brethren, and Bro Secretary reported several apologies. It is a mark of Far East Lodge's current strength of membership that we were still able to gather enough Brethren to perform both the First Section and the Tragedy in due and ancient form.
Bro Anderson with WB Inomata
Bro Anderson having already proved his proficiency in the preceding degrees, and there being no objections from the Brethren present, WB Inomata ordered the Stewards to prepare the candidate with the help of Bro Tsujii, SD. On his admission to the Lodge, Bro Anderson was conducted by Bro Tsujii, the Obligation was given by WB Buda, the Working Tools by Bro Tatara, and the other ritual work by the respective officers. After restoring himself to his personal comfort, Bro Anderson returned to the Lodge to participate in the Tragedy.
Rear: Bro Tsuji | WB Herrera | MWB Watanabe
Front: Bro Jordan | Bro Sagara | Bro Anderson | WB Inomata | WB Buda | Bro Taniuchi
With WB Inomata acting as KS and WB Buda as HT, Bro Anderson was regularly raised on the Five Points of Fellowship and given the substitute for the Ancient Master's Word. He was then invited to listen to the Lecture of the Third Degree, delivered by Bro Sagara. At the end of the ceremony WB Buda delivered the Charge and after signing his name in the Roll Book of the Lodge, Bro Anderson was given leave to exercise his privilege, as the newest MM of the Lodge, to say a few words. He expressed his sincere thanks to all the Brethren who had worked hard to confer the degree upon him.
There being no further business in the West, South, Secretary's Table or Floor of the Lodge, WB Inomata closed the Lodge in short form shortly after 4.00 p.m.
The Lodge's next meeting will be the Stated Meeting for March. Several important items are already on the agenda, including a discussion of the Lodge's vote on the several Consitutional Amendments that have been tabled for the Annual Communication. Bro Secretary reports that one of the EAs initiated last month has already declared himself ready to be tested on his proficiency and we will try to fit this item into our busy agenda.