Author Archives: masonicmaven

Richard H. Ryder, 2018 One of the most important things we can do as Masons is to bring new members into the fraternity.  Someone once said “You need to bring in one member to replace you and one member to … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2018 For several years I have had the honor of serving as Lodge Chaplain.  While not a heavy responsibility in terms of ritual and floor work, it has, nonetheless, been a very rewarding role.  Not only do … Continue reading →

(The following prayers were written by Richard H. Ryder between 2010 and 2017 for use during Masonic lodge monthly communications. All rights reserved) First Degree – Opening A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.  Our journey … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder – March, 2018 (Visit the photo gallery to view images related to this article) They were built to replicate heaven on earth, a way to bring bible lessons to the downtrodden, illiterate, and uneducated. In the escalating … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 In this installment of the ongoing Architecture and Freemasonry series I will provide a broader understanding of why Gothic structures were built, who called for their construction, who led the work, and how workers were organized. … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 When the pressure is on to deliver, and you feel you are not qualified to handle a task, to what do you turn to get the job done?  When the odds are against you, when you … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 Baseball has its farm league system to groom tomorrow’s great players; Masonry has its Steward stations for a similar purpose – preparing men for more responsibility within their lodge.  Being asked to serve as a steward … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 When the world awoke on April 12, 1945 no one knew it would be a date all adult Americans at that time would remember.  This included Harry Truman, who was just a few weeks short of … Continue reading →

Richard H. Ryder, 2017 Once you attain the office of Junior or Senior Deacon in your lodge you are signaling to the brethren that you have aspirations to serve as Master.  It’s a commitment and creates a definite expectation.  Like … Continue reading →

(Richard H. Ryder, 2017) As a very young man growing up in colonial Boston it seemed unlikely he would become one of America’s military icons.  Yet, that is exactly what Henry Knox achieved.  Without his self-taught artillery knowledge and persistence, … Continue reading →