LORD SANDS declared that no other nation celebrated their national poet like Scotland. It is most ominous for the people of Scotland that they should year after year celebrate the memory of a poor mortal like Robert Burns. We do not minimise genius, nor belittle real greatness in them who were, or are worthy of honour among their fellows. Carlyle wrote of Hero-worship and no doubt millions of deluded men in all ages have given more honour to some mortal men than they ever thought of giving to the God of heaven. We had most excellent men in Scotland through the grace of God in Christ Jesus, who were truly great, and worthy of honour and trust; who were faithful unto death in the highest interests of men for time and eternity. We may mention a few of them from among many—John Knox, Alexander Henderson, Alexander Peden, and Thomas Chalmers. They were all men of the first rank, and the people of Scotland should be thankful to the Most High that He raised such worthy men and separated them from the din of superstition to make mention of His righteousness, and His only Son to their fellow countrymen. The worthy men were afflicted, tormented, and persecuted for doing what was just, and holy, acceptable to God, and beneficial to their own and succeeding generations. Scotland has forgotten her Josephs, but alas not her Balaams. The object of the Scottish nation’s celebrations was certainly afflicted, and tormented, not because he was following high moral principles, but from his own personal folly.
If his talents and genius had been utilised for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, his name, work, and genius would be as little thought of in Scotland to-day as that of Knox, who under the hand of God was the greatest benefactor Scotland as yet has produced. Sir Harry Lauder said—”That in his travels, he read the barking of puppets at Burns, and added; ‘Had Burns been alive, those puppets would have eaten from his hand, and licked his fingers.'” The class of people with whom Harry Lauder associates may authorise him to draw his uncouth conclusions, but in the language of Holy Writ our comment is: “Whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.”
Professor Curtis spoke of the poet as a Psalmist. This gentleman is Dean of the faculty of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. He is a Doctor of Divinity, and a Doctor of Literature. In proposing the Immortal Memory, he said, “What he (Robert Burns) might not have given to Scotland as Psalmist of her simpler faith, and worship.” The poem Burns composed on the Excise-man might suit some professors better than the fifty-first Psalm, but not any poor sinner who is seeking a saving interest in Christ and His atoning blood. We believe that the poems of Burns are far more acceptable to the vast majority of the people of Scotland to-day than the inspired Psalms of David. Perhaps, Professor Curtis has led us into the secret why Burns is quoted in the Assembly Hall. The Professor also said: “He has become the symbol of our race; bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh.” If so, no wonder although Burns should be the Psalmist of such a race. The term “symbol” means in certain cases “a creed or summary of articles of religion.”
The Rev. Dr. James Black, Edinburgh, proposing the Immortal Memory to the limbless ex-Service men said: “That there were three features in his (Burns’) writings that ensured for him in the days to come a supreme place in the minds and hearts of his countrymen. First: how Burns described our emotions; second: timeless humour; third: Burns’ sheer lyrical ecstasy.” The poor limbless ex-Service men got dry husks that night for supper. The supreme object of adoration, praise, and delight is God alone, but according to Dr. Black, Burns is to get this place from his fellow countrymen for the poet’s humour is to pass the confines of time according to the opinion of this reverend gentleman in his speech to the limbless ex-Service men.
In India Buddha became the supreme object of worship among unknown millions of rational human beings. Mohammed became the symbol of the Mohammedans. The Pope of Rome assumes that prerogative among the Roman Catholics; but alas, is Robert Burns to be extolled as an object of supreme regard in Scotland? We pray not. “Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine, and the vineyard which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself.” We doubt not but the annual anniversary of the so called “Immortal Memory” of Burns is provoking the Most High to leave us to our folly which must end in everlasting darkness.
We firmly believe that there is a day coming for the people of Scotland when they shall gather all the profane writings of men, and the sentimental lyrics of the ablest genius and burn them out of sight so that they shall not be remembered any more for a thousand years. But after that period men shall become as profane as ever. This poor generation shall not bless at the Great Day the vain and silly flatterers that dare set up the poems of a sinful man and classify them with the Psalms of David. Christ must reign.—J.M.