THE BUILDER JANUARY 1916

THE RELIGION OF ROBERT BURNS
BY BRO. GILBERT PATTEN BROWN, MASS.


ALL men possess some real worth. Creed is an invention of man.
Genius is a gift of God to man. The very name "genius" signifieth
original, unacquired gifts, born gifts: 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 grammarian, or a
commentator: only a man of genius can be a painter, a statuary, or
a poet. The poet is an original thinker. Whenever we find a man of
rare intellect working out his own destiny, and showing himself
mighty among his contemporaries, we are benefited by having come in
contact with such a person. In one of that type is a fineness of
nature. He is usually a seer. They have lived in all ages and have
been found among all races of men. They belong to no particular
class or creed and are usually deeply religious in their own way of
reasoning. The gentleman of this monograph is without question
Scotland's greatest son. He taught the world through his poems the
difference between religion and creed.

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp
The man's the gowd for a' that."

Possibly no poet ever lived who possessed that original style and
uniqueness of composition as Robert Burns, whose eyes first saw the
light of this world on the twenty-fifth day of the rough old
warrior January, 1759, in the quaint little village of Alloway. The
cottage, under whose historic roof he was born, is still standing.
The old parish books of records, dimmed 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."

MADE A MASON

The youthful days of Burns were spent amid rural surroundings, thus
giving 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, and known for his upright
living, also his deep religious convictions. He differed from the
creed of his forefathers as did the poet. Before arriving at
manhood Burns became firmly grounded in the faith of "the
fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." While a youth he had
witnessed a funeral as conducted by the institution of Masonry.
That sight he had never forgot. In beauteous Tarbolton, Ayrshire,
was St. David's Lodge, No. 174, whose membership consisted of the
"substantial, upright, and honest gentlemen" of the neighborhood.
An extract from the pages of records of that historic body, under
the date of July 4, 1784, reads,-

"Robert Burns in Lockly was entered an apprentice." Signed, "R.
Norman." 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."

MORE LIGHT IN MASONRY

Robert Burns became extremely interested in his new and most
fraternal home. The lessons he had learned therein had a very
welcome place in his heart, and in a short time he wished for "more
light in Freemasonry," by being made a regular "Royal Arch Mason."
In due season he made application for further advancement in the
ancient mysteries of the Institution. It is by the aid of the
minutes of the old "record book" of "St. Abb's Lodge" of Leymouth,
and under the date of May 19, 1787, that the author is able to give
the following to his fraternal readers:-

"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
honored by having a man of such shining abilities for one of their
companions."

Previous to Robert Burns being made a Master Mason, St. David's
Lodge, No. 174, and St. James' Lodge were consolidated under the
name, "St. David's Lodge, No. 174, Ancient Freemasons," and later
separated, each Lodge claiming their pride, "Bobbie" Burns, to hold
membership therein.

Throughout Scotland the 24th of June is generally observed by the
Masonic fraternity. In 1786 and in the early part of June, Brother
Burns, being somewhat anxious to have a large attendance on the
24th (St John's Day), sent to his brother Mason, the Dr. John
Mackenzie, a beautiful notice in poem form. It pleased its readers.

THE MASTER'S APRON

The attendance on that "St. John's Day" was large at renowned St.
David's Lodge, and a more proud Freemason never stood in Masonic
cloth than Robert Burns as he extended the warm hand of friendship
and brotherhood upon that occasion. He was a frequent and most
welcome visitor to Masonic meetings in many places of "Bonnie"
Scotland. The following is%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 craftsmam'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."

Our own William Cullen Bryant in his address at the Burns birthday
centennial festival, Astor House, Nevi York, Jan. 25, 1859, spoke
at length on Burns. The following is but a brief extract from his
well-timed remarks:-

"Well has our great poet deserved this universal commemoration, for
wha has written like him ? What poem descriptive of rural manners
and virtues, rural life in its simplicity and dignity,--yet without
a single false outline or touch of false coloring,--clings to our
memories and lives in our bosoms like his 'Cotter's Saturday
Night'? What humorous narrative in verse can be compared with his
'Tam O'Shanter'? From the fall of Adam to his time, I believe,
there was nothing written in the vein of his 'Mountain Daisy':
others have caught his spirit from that poem, but who among then,
all excelled him? Of all the convivial songs I have ever seen in
any language there is none so overflowing with the spirit of
conviviality, so joyous, so contagious as his song of 'Willie
brewed a Peck o' Maut.' What love songs are sweeter and tenderer
than those of Burns? What song addresses itself so movingly to our
love of old friends and our pleasant recollection of old days as
his 'Auld Lang Syne,' or to the domestic affections so powerfully
as his 'John Anderson'"?

The religion of Burns was truly the religion of a poet. "An
irreligious poet is a monster," he said. "I despise the religion of
a fanatic, but I love the religion of a man." So advanced has
become the age of reason that these words alone make Burns mighty
among the world's greatest philosophers. A true poet is a religious
man. He sees goodness in all things: the works of Deity are to him
ever visible.

SECTARIANISM

Years ago Scotland alone celebrated the birthday of Burns; but
to-day people of many races, creeds, and tongues hold services
commemorating that eventful day. We find many preachers of to-day
laying their sacrifice of praise on the sacred altar of his
cherished memory. Even the creed egoist or the race despot cares
not to make war upon the name of Robert Burns. Form to him was
nothing, sect had no welcome in his heart. The peddling politicians
of sectarianism played upon his tender feelings, and, while he was
yet young, forced him into arguments upon theological lines. In
later years he frequently declared to the effect that the
theological brawlings of his early life were not to be counted
against him as hostile to religion. For true religion his respect
was marked. 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."

He wore no commercial smile, nor did he frown upon the riches of
others. He was never known to speak disrespectfully of Jesus of
Nazareth.

The following four lines are but a fragment of his poem as
paralleled by him to the eighth chapter of John:-

"Then gently scan your brother man,
Still gentler sister woman;
Tho' they may gang a kennin' wrang,
To step aside is human."

For the sake of the songs of Burns the rational world has forgiven
his sins.

Robert Burns died July 21, 1796, 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 some of the sweetest messages since the Sermon on
the Mount, and whose name will live as long as biography has a
charm for the children of men.

THE SWEET SINGER

Thus do we find Robert Burns to have been a very religious man.
Many of his poems are sermons worthy to be cherished by all lovers
of literary worth. He frowned upon no man for his form of worship
of the Deity. He 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 says,--

"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."

"Burns' Day," January 25th, is becoming a popular day of
celebration, when, by those who love the tender side of humanity,
race and creed are forgotten.


THYSELF IN CONTROL

From the Katha-Upanishad.

Know the Self to be sitting in the chariot, the body to be the
chariot, the intellect the charioteer, and the mind the reins.

The senses they call the horses, the objects of the senses their
roads. When he (the Highest Self) is in mlion with the body, the
senses, and the mind, then wise people call him the Enjoyer.

He who has no understanding and whose mind (the reins) is never
firmly held, his senses (horses) are unmanageable, like vicious
horses of a charioteer.

But he who has understanding and whose mind is always firmly held,
his senses are under control, like good horses of a charioteer.

He who has no understanding, who is unmindful and always impure,
never reaches that place, but enters into the round of births.
But he who has understanding, who is mindful and always pure,
reaches indeed that place whence he is not born again.

But he who has understanding for his charioteer, and who holds the
reins of the mind, he reaches the end of his journey, and that is
the highest place.



"One of the first lessons taught a Mason is prayer, and what a
mockery it is for a man to pray to the great God whose name he
profanes. One reason why Masons lose interest is that they were not
first made Masons in their hearts."

