Robert Burns was a Scotsman but certainly not a credit to his country, though the majority of them would  probably say he is. Generally known for his poetry and songs, he was an ungodly scoundrel.  He was infamous for his adultery, fornication, drinking and rebellion against religion and morality.

He exalted drinking alcohol and drunkenness.  His poem "Scotch Drink" glorifies Scotch and portrays it as one of the few things in life that is really needed.  Verse XVIII says, "O Whisky! soul o' plays an' pranks! Accept a Bardie's gratefu' thanks!"  The first two verses of "No Churchman am I..." run like this "No Churchman am I for to rail and to write, No Statesman nor Soldier to plot or to fight, No sly Man of business contriving a snare, For a big-belly'd bottle's the whole of my care. II The Peer I don't envy, I give him his bow; I scorn not the Peasant, tho' ever so low; But a club of good fellows, like those that are here, And a bottle like this, are my glory and care."  He may have ultimately paid with his life for his love of liquor. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.  By God's standards Robert Burns was a fool.

Burns was also a Freemason.  The Lodge St. Maurs. Kilmaurs 1398 claims "few outside the Craft are apiano coverse that many of his poems were based on, or revolved around Freemasonry."  Burns himself wrote and poem called "The Master's Apron" which reads in part, "There’s many a badge that’s unco braw Wi’ ribbon, tape and lace on; Let kings and princes wear them a’ Gie me the Master’s Apron." Another Masonic poem attributed to him is entitled "Fairwell to the Brethern" (meaning the Freemasons).  It has been claimed that he became a Mason to oblige those that he was beholden to in the publication of his writings, or that it is possible that he became one to please the father of Jane Armour; but indicators tend to point at his being an active and dedicated Mason.  He was a supporter of the French Revolution, which is known to have been instigated by the Freemasons.  Writing in a letter to one Mrs Dunlop, "he referred to the executions of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as `the deserved fate of... a perjured Blockhead and an unprincipled Prostitute.' "1 (Strange accBliption against Marie coming from a man of his sort, as will be seen.)  Added to this there is a "Masonic Song" that is attributed to him.  It is also reported that his name is signed to a number of the minutes of the St. James Lodge, at Tarbolton of which he was the Deputy Master.  The page of Famous Scottish Freemasons says, "He became interested in the ritual and work of the Lodge soon after he joined it, and at its banquets received the title of `Symposiarch', for he was truly the Ruler of the Feasts."2  Strangely enough, Robert Burn's likeness in one of four great Freemasons that are portrayed in the oldest building in the world built expressly fro Freemason purposes.  This is the Chapel of St. John, meeting place of Lodge Canongate #2, Royal Arch Chapter #56 in Edinburgh, Scotland.  It was finished in 1736 and the paintings were added in 1833.3

In light of his Masonic assobliptions it is hardly surprising that he was a notorious seducer of women.  He committed fornication and adultery repeatedly, and is said to have fathered several illegitimate children.  Two of these (twins) were born to the woman, Jean Armour, who was not allowed to marry him by her father who was a Master Mason.  Later, when he saw Burns becoming a successful poet and that he was a Mason or had joined them, he wanted the two to marry.  Burns refused her at first, but later decided to marry her anyway.  He never honored his marriage vows, however, having many adulterous affairs with various women.  Added to this he is reputed to have written some extremely filthy songs that are generally not credited to him to preserve what little reputation he supposedly has left.  Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The Bible clearly piano coversns about the kind of women Robert Burns chased after.  Had he paid heed to the word of God that was available to him in his day rather than mocking the Presbyterian Church and Christianity, he could have saved himself much sorrow and perhaps death.   Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 ¶ Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. 26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. 27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

After suffering declining health and an increasing problem with depression he died at the ripe old age of 37.  Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.  Some claim he died of a heart problem while others claim he died of venereal disease or due to the effects of alcohol.  Whatever the case may be it is certain that ...the way of transgressors is hard. Proverbs 13:15  Having been exposed to Christianity in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, he knew what right and wrong were and boldly, even gleefully, rejected the truth.    Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.  If he did not repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ before he died, his last name has become an adjective to describe his present condition. Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.   Amen!

Is it necessary to even ask if this man's works are suitable for Christian children, or even adults?

-- Mary Van Nattan

1) http://www2.bath.ac.uk/~exxdgblip/poetry/poets/man.html
2) http://www.grandlodgescotland.com/website/famous.html
3) http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/4783/mas05.htm

Some information for this article was obtained from:

http://www.incompetech.com/authors/burns/
http://members.aol.com/scots4paf/Billy.htm
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~janlow/1burns.htm

Editor: Steve Van Nattan-- Men who want to defend this filthy man should write me. I have a little something from Burns for you to read.

graphics by mary vannattan