Lodge 640 History [03]

The Inauguration of Lodge Star in the East was reported in the 20 September 1879 edition of the Japan Weekly Mail:

On Tuesday evening, 16th instant, a pleasant gathering took place at the Masonic Hall, to inaugurate the “Star in the East” Lodge of Free Masons, No. 640, on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The R.W.M designate, Edward Fischer, P.M., was installed by W. & W. Bro. A. S. Fobes, Past Master of Hiogo and Osaka Lodge. After the ceremonies the newly installed officers with their guests and visitors adjourned to a banquet. After doing ample justice to the good things provided, the R.W.M. gave the first toast of the evening, “The Rulers of our respective countries and the Craft,” which was duly honoured; after which the Masonic toasts usual on such occasions were proposed and received most enthusiastically. Over sixty of the fraternity were present, and the meeting was one of the most successful that has taken place at Yokohama.

The following is a list of officers for the present year:

Edward Fischer	R.W.M.
Charles John Strome	D.M.
Durham White Stevens	S.M.
Joseph Freeman Gorham	S.W.
Horace Mason Perkins	J.W.
James Roland Morse	Treasurer
Isaac Willard Beauchamp	Secretary
Richard Austin Robertson	S.D.
John Douglas	J.D.
George Booth	I.G.
Arthur Hearne	Tyler