Lodge 4-Cast
Welcome to the official podcast of Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4!
Lodge 4-Cast
Education: "Beatin' the Keys" by Bro∴ Bob Melvin
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Recorded February 2026. Hosted and edited by Bro∴ Justin Garrett.
Our first recorded minutes date back to 1752. We are George Washington’s Lodge. Our story is America’s legacy.
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Just beating the keys. When I was twelve, my parents presented me with the opportunity to study the piano. My older sister had taken lessons, and my parents thought I deserved the same opportunity. I was twelve. I was a boy. Piano lessons were the furthest thing from the scope of my interests. I wanted to play football and baseball. I wanted to hang out with my friends, read, swim, ride my mini bike through the woods, hunt, shoot, watch TV, anything before learning to play the piano. Lessons were once a week for an hour. I had to walk all the way across the street, uphill both ways, to sit for sixty minutes and practice thirty minutes per day, even weekends. I went through the motions. I was given exercises, drills, and music to practice and learn. I was given the opportunity to be taught and to learn. The opportunities to explore, express, create, and improve. I was offered a proven method, encouragement, guidance, and I had the availability of experienced instruction. Instead of availing myself of the opportunity presented and practicing my assignments, I learned to play the battle hymn of the Republic. It wasn't assigned, but I played it every evening at six PM when my father wanted to watch the news. My apathy and disgruntled state impacted the keys, reverberating from the strings and hammers within for 30 minutes at a time. I wasn't practicing. I was just beating the keys. Instead of applying the lessons I was supposed to be learning, I was just beating the keys. Instead of becoming enlightened, I was just beating the keys. Instead of seeking results, I was just beating the keys. The lessons didn't last very long, and it was years before I realized that I had missed an opportunity to add to the sum of myself benefiting both me and those I love. I was handed a gift and didn't bother to unwrap it. My brothers, are you availing yourself of experienced instruction? Are you using the Masonic tools? Are you availing yourself of the opportunity? Are you teaching temperance? Are you demonstrating fortitude? Are you practicing prudence? Are you acting just and upright? Or are you just beating the keys?
