All men possess some real worth but Genius is a unique gift of God to man. The word “genius” signifies original, from the Latin of Gignor, to be born; or, older still, from the Greek of Gennao, to generate, to produce.
A man may be a good historian, a good soldier or politician but only a man of genius can be an inventor or a poet and original thinker. Whenever we find men of rare intellect working out their own destiny and showing themselves above their contemporaries, then we are in the presence of such persons. They have lived in all ages and have been found among all races of men. They belong to no particular class or faith and are usually deeply religious in their own way.
Robert Burns, Scotland’s greatest son, was indeed such a man. He taught the world through his poems the difference between religion and faith.
"The rank is but the guinea's stamp The man's the gowd for all that."
THE MAN HE WAS
Possibly no poet ever lived who possessed that original style and uniqueness of composition as Robert Burns. He was the poet of the rights of the common people. His qualities were fire, tenderness, humour, simplicity and all so nicely and rarely blended together.
He touched with delicate and joyful hands the deep and noble feelings of old Scotland and the life, the faith, the genious and hope of his native land.
This is why we love Robert Burns, for it was he who taught us the brotherhood of man, that which lives in his songs and always will live while human nature is the same. He saw the nature with the eyes of a child, saw beauty in the fold of hills, in the trees, in the flowing waters and the sound of the wind filled him with a sad joy.
Such was Robert Burns! a man full of passion and pity.
If he could have its way with us, every injustice, every cruelty, every despotism would fall and every man would have a more fulfilled life and superior soul.
“Then let us pray, that come what may As come it will, for all that That man to man, the world over Shall brothers be, for all that”
HIS LIFE
Robert Burns ‘s eyes first saw the light of this world on the 25th day of January 1759 in a peasant cottage in the village of Alloway, two miles south of Ayr, Scotland.
The old parish records, faded with age, show his ancestry to have been of the best blood of Ayr and Alloway. The following is a brief account of this old (Celt) family: “Lawful son of William Burns of Alloway and Agnes Brown, his spouse” and “baptized by Mr. William Dalrymple: witnesses, John Tement and James Young.”
The youthful days of Burns were spent amid rural surroundings that gave his young brain an opportunity to read of the philosophy of life from the open pages of the book of nature. His playmate in school was his modest brother Gilbert. The poet’s maternal grandfather, Gilbert Brown, was a farmer known for his upright living but also for his deep religious convictions.
To begin with his education was basic and consisted of learning to read and write, the rules of grammar and arithmetic, but later in life he picked up a bit of French, Latin and some knowledge of the Classics.
When his farmer father died in 1784 he inherited the business but was unable to run it and soon fell into financial difficulties having also made two women[1] pregnant in the meantime.
In 1788 he married Jean Armour, a very forgiving woman who took care of all Burns’ children, legitimate and illegitimate alike. They bought a farm but it did not prosper and Burns, for the second time, had to abandon that profession and in 1789 became a full time Excise man.
His physical description , by the time he was twenty five years of age, was given as follows: nearly five feet ten inches in height and of a form agile as well as strong; his forehead shaded with black curling hair, his eyes large, dark, full of bright intelligence, his face vividly expressive. But the principal aspect of Burns, even in his young age, was his charming personality so full of fun and fire; he was affable and a lover of company.
He was first an honest man but often utterly sinful! Women found him most attractive and gave him a string of legitimate and illegitimate children.
But we love Robert Burns as much for his weakness as for his strength and his fame rests on verses written swiftly, on spontaneous songs.
BURNS THE FREEMASON
Before reaching manhood Burns had witnessed a Masonic funeral, a sight that remained with him for the rest of his life. At the age of twenty two he was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry in Tarbolton, Ayrshire by the Lodge of St.David’s No. 174, whose membership consisted of the “substantial, upright, and honest gentlemen” of the neighbourhood. An extract from the minutes of that historic Lodge, under the date of July 4, 1784, reads: “Robert Burns in Lockly was entered an apprentice.” Signed, Norman, The Master.” and under the date of October 1, the record reads: “Robert Burns in Lockly was passed and raised, Henry Cowan being Worshipful Master, James Humphrey being Senior Warden, and Alex Smith, Junior; Robert Wadrown, Secretary, and John Manson, Treasurer; John Tammock, Tyler, and others of the brethren being present.” Yes, the second and third degree were conferred on the same evening!
The lessons Burns had learned in Freemasonry had a very welcome place in his heart, and in a short time he wished for more “light”. Six years after his initiation he was made a Knights Templar as well as a Royal Arch Mason in Eyemouth, as under the old regime the two were always given together. By this time he had won some fame as an enthusiastic Freemason as well as a poet and a the author of songs; writing and publishing them became his livelihood.
On July 27th 1784, Burns was elected Deputy Master of St James Lodge, Tarbolton, a position which he held until St John’s Day, 1788.
He was made an honorary member of St John’s Lodge 22, Kilmarnock, on October 26th 1786 by Major William Parker, his great friend and financial supporter but also the Master of such Lodge. Parker had purchased a great number of his first edition of poems.
The minutes of that meeting in which Burns was accepted as an honorary member read as follows: “Robert Burns, poet from Mauchline, a member of St James, Tarbolton, was made an honorary member of this Lodge. The minutes of the old “record book” of “St. Abb’s Lodge” of Leymouth, under the date of May 19, 1787 read: “At a general encampment of St. Abb’s Lodge, the following brethren were made Royal Arch Masons: Robert Burns, from the Lodge of St. James, Tarbolton, Ayrshire; and Robert Ainslie, from the Lodge of St. Luke, Edinburgh. Robert Ainslie paid one guinea admission dues; but, on account of Robert Burns’ remarkable poetical genius the encampment agreed to admit him gratis, and considered themselves honoured by having a man of such shining abilities for one of their companions.”
Previous to Robert Burns being made a Master Mason, the Lodge of St. David No. 174 and St. James’ Lodge were consolidated under the name of “St. David’s Lodge, No. 174 of Ancient Freemasons” and later separated, each Lodge claiming their pride – Bobbie Burns – to have held membership with them.
THE MASTER’S MASON APRON
The 24th of June is as day generally celebrated by the Masonic fraternity and in the early part of June 1786 Brother Burns, being somewhat anxious to have a large attendance on that St John’s Day, sent to his brother Mason – Dr. John Mackenzie – a beautiful notice in poem form which pleased its readers.
As it happened, the attendance at St. David’s Lodge on that “St. John’s Day” turned out to be large and Robert Burns extended the warm hand of friendship and brotherhood upon that occasion by reciting that poem from his talented pen:
"There's many a badge that's unco braw Wi' ribbons, lace, and tape on: Let Kings and Princes wear them a' Gie me the Master's apron The honest craftsman's apron The jolly Freemason's apron, Bide he at hame, or roam afar Before his touch fa's bolt an' bar, The gates of fortune fly ajar, 'Gin he wears the apron. For w'alth and honor, pride and power Are crumbling stanes to base on: Fraternity should rule the hour And ilka worthy Mason, Each free accepted Mason Each ancient crafted Mason. Then, brithers, let a halesome sang Arise your friendly ranks alang. Gude Wives and bairnes blithely sing Ti' the ancient badge wi' the apron string That is worn by the Maste Mason."
ON RELIGION
The peddling politicians of sectarianism played upon Burns’ tender feelings, and while he was young, they forced him into arguments on theological lines. In later years however Burns frequently declared that the many theological brawling of his early life were not due to him being hostile to religion which he fully respected.
See his philosophy in these lines:
"In ploughman phrase, God send you speed, Still daily to grow wiser; And may ye better reck the rede Than ever did th' adviser."
Many of his poems are sermons worthy to be cherished by all lovers of literature. He frowned upon no man for his form of worshipping God and despised the selfishness of man in commercial life:
"The poor, oppressed, honest man Had never sure been born Had there not been some recompense To comfort those that mourn."
Again he writes:
"Great Nature spoke, with benign 'Go on, ye human race This lower world I you resign Be faithful and increase.' "
To the memory of his daughter who died in 1795 he wrote two verses, one of which is as follows:
"To those who for her loss are grieved, This consolation's given: She's from a world of woe relieved And blooms a rose in heaven."
One of his truest friends was John Bushby, who was known for his faith in God and his honesty of purpose in worldly affairs. At his grave Burns wrote:
"Here lies John Bushby, honest man! Cheat him, Devil, if you can."
BURN’S DAY
January 25th has become a popular day of celebration amongst the Freemasons and by those who love the tender side of humanity, race and creed. Years ago only Scotland celebrated the birthday of Robert Burns but today people of many races, religion and languages hold services commemorating that eventful day. Burn’s Night is an occasion for many dinners to be dedicated to his memory. The ritual of the Burns’ Supper was started by his close friends a few years after his passing to the Grand Lodge above and the format remains largely unchanged today. It begins with the Chairman of the Supper inviting the assembled company to welcome in the haggis. The poem “To a Haggis” is recited and the haggis is then toasted with a glass of wisky. The evening thereafter ends with the singing of Robert Burns’ universaly known “ Auld Lang Syne” [2].
Our Brother and poet died in Dumfries on July 21, 1796 at the early age of thirty seven and was buried five days later at Alloway Kirk, Ayr. No grave in all Scotland is more cherished by the visitor than that of Robert Burns, who had many faults and who like all men made many mistakes in life, but whose tender heart gave to humanity greatly sweet messages.
His name will live on to the end of time.
By Anon
[1] His mother’s servant Elizabeth Paton in 1785 as well as Margaret Campbell (“Highland Mary”)
[2] Which he wrote in 1788
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