WB Sagara with Bro Mukai, the Lodge's newest Master Mason
March 3, 2012March 31, 2012April 7, 2012
Soon after the announcement of the Special Meeting for March, Bro Secretary began to receive an alarming number of regrets from members of the Lodge and was forced to send out a last-minute plea for support. On the day of the meeting, it was touch-and-go whether the minimum number of Brethren for a Third Degree conferral would be able to attend.
The unwelcome suspense was further heightened by a dramatic change in the weather, with typhoon-force winds hitting the Kanto area and bringing most of the JR lines to a stop. Even after the trains began moving, it was at little more than a crawl. As the Brethren who had been able to get to the Temple enjoyed a lunchtime snack in the conference room, reports began trickling in of Brethren stranded in trains, or still an hour's journey from the Temple. WB Sagara, the WM, decided to delay the opening of the Lodge until 1330 hrs. If, by that time, enough Brethren had assembled to open the Lodge but attendance was still short of the number required for the Third Degree, he would open the Lodge, call the Brethren to refreshment, and await the arrival of the delayed members.
WB Sagara with Bro Mukai, the Lodge's newest Master Mason
Fortunately, the last of the delayed members arrived at almost exactly the same time as the Lodge was declared open, and we were able to proceed with WB Sagara in the East, Bro Tsujii in the West, and WB Buda in the South.
At the request of Bro Mukai, the conferral was conducted in Japanese. In addition to the regular work assigned to the respective officers, Bro Yutaro Suzuki presented the Working Tools of the Degree and recited the perambulatory passage from memory.
Bro Ogawa (right) congratulates Bro Mukai on being raised to the Sublime Degree of MM
Having been duly obligated by WB Sagara, Bro Mukai was instructed to return to the preparation room to restore himself to his personal comfort.
For the Tragedy, MWB Watanabe conducted the Candidate around the Lodge and also took the role of one of the Fellowcraft Masons. An excellent rendition of the Lecture of the Degree was given in Japanese by Bro Tatara and the Charge was read by MWB Watanabe. Bro Mukai was then invited to sign the roll book of the Lodge and presented with the usual items: a lambskin apron, a copy of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Japan and the By-laws of Far East Lodge No. 1, English and Japanese versions of the monitor, a Masonic Bible, etc.
MWB Watanabe taking photographs of WB Sagara and Bro Mukai
Also present from left: Bro Ogawa, Bro Tsujii, Bro Suzuki and Bro Ishibashi
As the youngest Master Mason in the Lodge, Bro Mukai was given the privilege of addressing the Members. He thanked the Brethren for braving the inclement weather to make his Raising possible, expressed his gratitude for the memory work that all had put into preparing for the conferral, and promised to do his best to contribute to the Lodge as a Master Mason.
More than two hours having elapsed since the opening of the Lodge, WB Sagara closed in short form. Including Bro Mukai, there were 12 Master Masons of the Lodge present.