New Britain herald., 1928-02-02
'lAN CELEBRATES
 FOR ROBERT BURNS
Rer. R. \. Gilman Gives Stirring
 Address on Scotch Bard


 More than 150 members of Clan Douglas. Order of Scottish Clans. and their friends from this city and several other points about the state gathered last evening in Red Mems hall and enjoyed tasty, old-fash- toned Scotch dinner. musical pro- gram, and an interesting talk on Robert Burns. The occasion was the 169th anniversary of Burns birth.
 The hall was crowded to capacity and the dinner was made to resem- ble the ordinary meal of the Scotch household. On the table besides much of the food which has been adopted in this country were sconcs and oat cakes.
 After the dinner the gathering re- tired to another hall when an en. ioyable musical program was pre- sented by members of the organiza- ton. Those who took part were forced to respond to repeated en- cores. ...
 The first event on the program was a bagpipe selection by Pipe Ma jor William Miller. He presented a picturesque appearance. dressed in the kilts of his native country. Fred erick w. Latham was next on the program. He sang bass solo My Love is Like a Red. Red Rose" and for an encore he sang Chip of the Old Block" Miss Ibol Grant sang a solo John Anderson, My Jo." Thomas Macauley sang My Ain Folk" This had a popular appeal and the audience joined with him in singing.
 Other numbers on the program were: James Law on the concer- tina; popular song by Mrs. W. E. Remington: Captain Mack" by Mir. Maeauley: "Brae, Brae. Lads" by Miss Grant: My Ain Wee Hoose" by Mir. Latham. Mrs. Remington, pianist. accompanied. Dancing fol- | lowed the entertainment.
 Rev. Mir. Gilman Speaks ! Rev. F. N. Gilman, pastor of Stanley Memorial church, was the speaker. In opening his talk Mir. Gilman praised the organization for its fine work in helping those who arrived from Scotland. He said the organization has been a great help in receiving newcomers from the homeland and introducing them to American life.
 His talk, in part, follows;
 One of the most popular If not the most popular man in the history Of the world was Robert Burns. AL though his home was in Scotland. he holds sway to the hearts of people in all parts of the earth. In Robert Burns We have Scotland expressed in personality. ..-
 Burns was born at time when 'he nation was not at its best. It was mp to Burns to show that it was not crime to show laughter and joy. He was born at a time when there was need of someone to strike out tNrRlny which has the country in 3 bad way. He was born on a stormy day. No wonder one born under those conditions should be the vic. tim of stormy passions.
 | He was from the soil. He knew the life of the common people so- called. but after all they were not so common. His brother Gilbert. said their father was their only com | panion. He vas educated and could converse with his boys on all sub lects. His mother was not an edu- cated woman but she had the grace to make her good mother. 'At an early age Burns received hIs education from q boy of IS years He learned much from the spelling book and Bible. He learned prose. poems, and verse. He read all the works of the great authors. How ever. he could not learn church music for it did not seem 10 have an appeal for him. He learned by hard knocks. He was doing hard work at Is. At IS he knew all the Scotch songs by heart.
 Tn l7S1 he worked in Irving. Ii l "oo uulIle lHlS pHl tIldL HE NdS given over to a melancholy spirit He was subject to all moods but on this occasion he was in the lowest spirit Tn 17s4 his father died. Just be- fore his death his father said he was not sure of the success of one Of 1 his sons and when Robert asked him Iif it were he. his father admitted that such was the case.
 l Just previous 10 his fathers death he had some of his poems pub- lished and his name was assured. He 1 was asked to go to Edinburgh and havS 2 second edition published. He went 10 the great city and enjoyed unusual popularity. He was lionized socially. His second group of writ ings brought him $c5.oo0 which he divided with his brother. He lived in 8 farm for three years. but was not a success for he was not cut out | for the work
 He later, became collector of internal revenue. He died in 17ae. i leaving a wife and four children who were supported by friends.
 "An estimate of his character He was never double-faced or mean. He was honest and warm hearted. and was possessed of 3, high passion.