New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-25
SolS RAY TRIBUTE
To ROBERT Burns
bud d Caledoaia Ellhd 10
Address BY Minister

Each years for the past Fl years
members Of the Robert Burns club
and their guests have gathered
around the banquet table and PAID
tribute to the immortal bard OF
Scotland. This years meeting last
night at the Burritt hotel had two
fold meaning, as 1t marked the 21st
anniversary of the existence OF the
club and the 10th anniversary OF
the birth OF the great poet. 1t was
the greatest gathering in the history
of the club and the banquet nan Oh
the hotel was taxed to capacity, more
than 200 guests attending.
The main address of the evening
was delivered by Rev. Theodore
Ainsworth Greene, who had Tor MS
topic BURNS in the Light of His Let
ters," a pen portrait OF the poet
drawn from his own words. Rev. MT.
Greene quoted the poets words ire
ouently and paid rare tribute 10
the man whose works are read the
world over and are included IN the
O06L WTltili6S vi OH e'iAAo
Rurus Admirers Everywhere
"Ar of us are familiar with Bob
HE Burns. the Bard Of Scotland he
said. His name and fame have gone
abroad through all parts OF the eartn
and his rhymes are read To-Day
wherever the English tongue Is
spoken. Burns worshipers-l might
saw Burns idolaters-are found to-
day in every walk of life, in every
land and cline. But how many OF
us are more than superficially &C
uuainted with the man behind the
poems? Burns was the son of a
poor father, uneducated. but FAR
from being ignorant and unlntelll-
gent in fact quite the contrary must
'poet writing later this tribute to his
paternal ancestor: I have met with
few. who understood men. their
manner and their ways, equal to
him. 1t Is said that Burns inherited
his love for balladlore from his
mother. We presume then, that he
derived his strong. manly sense from
his father. AS to his genius. the best
explanation is given In his own
,words-'It was the very gift of God
from heaven
"Of his early education We knoy
something, and he confesses modest
w somewhere that My talents, they
were not the worst, nor yet my edu-
cation His father engaged =
teacher for the children and from
him Robert received his early edu-
cation together with other children
OF neishboring families"
Love Often His Inspiration
The speaker went on at length de-
picting different instances in the
poets young life. his unsuccessful
romances and attempts to win the
hearts Of fair ladies. of the sorrow
Detailing him when he lost his best
friend. his father. and his settling
down on a farm where he put his
heart and soul into writing ballads
and letters.
Five years later he met and mar
ried Jean Armour, again to lose
her. because ,her parents did moi
think it wise match. and the mar
fiage was snnuled. While trying to
forget Jean. he met another in
Edinburgh and she became the tenn
porary inspiration of some of Burns
most glorious poetry. His fame be-
gan to grow and after publishing
some of his works he was lionized by
the literati and cognoscenti of his
native land. Things began to look
brighter, and at an early age of u.
Robert Burns leaped from obscurity
t. national fame.
Made Scotch Songs Live
I In closing his address Rev. Mr..
Greene remarked: zone cannot
think Of Robert Burns. the Caledon-
Ian Bard, without thinking also OF
what he did to make the songs OF
Scotland live forever in the hearts
bt his people and the world, nor can
I'VE forget his generous refusal ia
take q penny's piece for all this pa
triotic labor. Like many another
generous hearted genius, Burns liv-
ed his days out on the principle.
Better an hour of glorious life. than
IN age without a name In the
words of the psalmist, Brief were
his days. and full Of trouble But
That is not what matters. What
matters most to you and me and the
race is the undeniable fact. that
Robert Burns was born in Scotland
bf lowly lineage but with most
high heart, that he set down on
paper for his people and all people
down the centuries. some of the
sweetest songs this world has ever
heard. And finally, thank God, that
and his singing, he lives today a
permanent influence in the litera'
ture, the freedom and the brother.
hood of our world"
Musical Program
Rev. Mr.. Greene's address came ir
gram, during which a quartet and
soloists rendered a number of songs
of the famous bard's composition
The complete program included
There Was a Lad" by the quartet
Scots What Haze" baritone solo b.
John Lindsay; Lass o'Ballochmyle"
tontralto solo by Jane Sartori futile
my Love Is Like Red. Red Rose"
tenor solo by Philip Magnuson; -
Highland Lad, soprano solo by Ruth
Goodrich Horton, and several re.
quest numbers.