Far East Lodge No. 1 News

Stated Meeting

We were able to open our Stated Meeting for April without having to rely on any acting officers, all the elected or nominated officers being in attendance and in their proper places.

Before proceeding with the business of the Lodge, WB Sagara read an obituary for Bro Ernest Cauthen, who had passed away in 2005 but news of whose death did not reach the Lodge until a week ago. WB Sagara then raised the Lodge for a minute's silent prayer in memory of our dear departed Brother.

WB Sagara with Members of Far East Lodge No. 1 and visitor Bro Kitahara

In addition to the usual items of business, WB Sagara reported on the Annual Communication held in March and mentioned some of the changes in ritual that had been proposed, including the position of the feet during the regular steps in Masonry and a modified procedure for entering and leaving the Lodge while in labour.

Discussion of a schedule for the proposed Special Meeting to confer the FC degree on two of our EAs was inconclusive. Many Brethren indicated that they would not be able to attend on either April 21 or 28, and WB Sagara pointed out that as the Stated Meeting for May fell on a national holiday, we would postpone it by one week. WB Inomata suggested conferring the FC degree at our Stated Meeting for May. MWB Watanabe was charged with ascertaining the availability of Brethren for either April 21 or May 12, and drawing up a work assignment for the most likely date.

Visitor Bro Kitahara with Bro Shunji Suzuki

After a brief break to allow preparation, Bro Tsujii delivered an educational lecture on the Symbols of Masonry, using Bro Mukai, the Lodge's newest MM, as a token student. Bro Tsujii's comprehensive coverage of almost all the symbols used in modern Masonry was made all the more clear by excellent illustrated handouts prepared by Bro Tomio Ogawa.

WB Sagara tries on samples of the new Far East Lodge baseball caps created by Bro Yutaro Suzuki

WB Sagara then formally welcomed Bro Kuniyasu Kitahara of Tokyo Masonic Lodge No. 2 and presented him with a first-time visitor's memento. He then inivted Bro Kitahara to make an announcement about the upcoming Annual Childrens' Festival, of which Bro Kitahara was an organizer. Bro Kitahara explained that last year's festival had been affected by the Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster, but that this year's festival would return to its former glory. He described some of the attractions and food stalls that had already been arranged, and asked the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 to cooperate by taking over one of the food stalls, probably that selling yakisoba.

Masonic books donated to Far East Lodge No. 1 by Bro Ed Lawson

There was no business from the West, South, or Secretary's Table, but from the floor of the Lodge Bro Jordan reported that Bro Ed Lawson had kindly donated part of his collection of Masonic books to the Lodge. These books had already arrived in Japan and would be placed in the conference room cabinets for the instruction and edification of Lodge members.