INFLUENCE OF BURNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 184, 5 August 1940, Page 3

INFLUENCE OF BURNS.

ATTACK ON ORTHODOXY. The influence of Robert Burns, fehe famous Scottish poet, was the subject of an address given by the Rev. J. H. G.! Chappie at a meeting held in the Strand Theatre last evening under the auspices of the Auckland Rationalist Association. "More statues have been erected to Burns than to any man in the world," declared the lecturer. Living in an age when it was dangerous to attack orthodoxy, the courage of Burns was displayed in a marked manner in his shots of satire levelled against institutions held sacred. In addition to hie satire, the poet had sung the sweetest songs, and in poems like "The Cottor's Saturday Night," he had laid bare the heart of Scotland. Not only the Scotch, but the whole world ones a debt of gratitude to the immortal exciseman. For Burns had stressed the brotherhood of man, and the humble cottage in which he had been born was visited by people .from all over the world. Burns had loved his fellow man, and in his poems the human race had a priceless heritage. At the conclusion of the address, Miss Anne Lennon recited a number of extracts from BLffn* , outstanding, jrqrke. J