The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-01-25
A NIGHT WI
RABB|E BURNS
MinOt Burns Club Celebrate the Ami
versary of the Birth of ScOtland's
Immortal Bard.

About hundred of the Scotch folk
of the city and neighborhood met this
evening in their annual celebration of
the birthday of Robert Burns, the
gathering taking place at the home of
the president of the Minot Burns club,
Hon. VIM. Hetherton, Sr. The mag
nifcent home was decorated beautiful
ly and most appropriately with the
national colors and flags of many ma
tions. The pictures of Robert Burns,
Scotland's beloved bard, were promis-
cuously hung and in nearly every d.
rection the eye rested on the portrait
of the Scotchman in whose honor the
guests assembled.
The meeting was opened at 8:45 by
singing "There was lad was born in
Kyle" by the company, after which
President Hetherton gave an excellent
address on "The Immortal Memory of
Rabbie Burns" He said eve are met
tonight to testify that the immortal
Bard still lives in our memory, that his
fame increases with time, that his
place in the world, as in our hearts,
strengthens with the years, and that
the debt we owe him is indeed unpay-
able. It was not his genius, his in
sight, his vision, his wit or spirit Of
manly independence, nor all these COM
bined, which captured the hearts of
men. 1t was his spontaneous, tender,
all-pervading sympathy with every
form of misfortune, pain or grief, not
only in men, but in every cerated form
of being. He loved all things, both
great and small. Repeated are the
proofs of his overlooking tenderness.
The nest Of the mouse destroyed by
the plough which had "cost many a
weary nibble," appeals to his heart
and the lesson is enforced.
"But Mousie, thou are no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain,
The best laid schemes o. mice and men
Gang aft a-glay.
An leave US naught but grief an pain
From promised JOY"
: Burns, of all men that ever lived,
nestles closer today to the bosom of
humanity. His shortcomings, what
eversthey were, are of small concern
to us. It is with his merits that we
are concerned and with which the
world is concerned. The very best of
those who aspersed him are now seen
to have been unworthy to unite his
shoes.
The whole race is better because
Burns lived and sang. His place in the
temple Of fame cannot be darkened.
He is one Of the worlds greatest fig
ures. Nothing can be more erroneous
than to think of him merely as a ma
tional hero. He belongs to Scotland
only as Scotland may be called the
trustee of the human race"
The president then sang a song,
"Cam Ye By Athol."
Mrs. VIM. Murray rendered a de-
lightful Scotch reading, followed by
readings by Rev. w. C. Hunter and
Mrs. Alex. Scarlet. Prof. Field rem
dered several piano solos by Mellow
ell, The Brook, Geunevere, Scotch
Poem and Songs, to the delight Of
everyone. Minot indeed has wonder
full artist in Prof. Field, who can truly
make the piano produce the most beau.
tiful melodies.
Readings were given by DR.. A. J
MCDANIEL, Rev. J. N. Mackenzie, Mrs
Campbell, Mrs. J. C. Smallwood anC
Mrs. Van Fleet. A. G. Crane delighted
all with his humorous stories. Miss
Jean Kennedy furnished the chief
amusement of the evening with he1