New-York tribune., 1901-09-02
TWO NEW FACES SEEN IN TWO FAMOUS OLD PULPITS.
THE REV. HUGH BLACK DELIVERS TWO
SERMONS IN THE FIFTH AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN.
PRESBYTERIAN.

The Rev. Hugh Black. associate pastor OF ST.
Georges United Free Church. Edinburgh. Scotland
preached yesterday morning at the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church. Although young man. Mr.
Black has wide reputation, and a large eongrega-
tion awaited him. Many remained after the service
10 greet the clergyman personally one OF these
a Scotchman who has lived in this country
forty-ive years and who a friend Of Mr. Blacks
father in Scotland in former days. This man SAID
he had come twelve hundred miles expressly to at
tend the service.
Mr.. Black is of spare build. and might be consid-
cred somewhat delicate in appearance were IL ho'
for his energetic manner and active bearing he Is
somewhat worn by season OF hard work ana ms
present trip his first America is intended to be
a vacation trip rather than preaching tour lie
will. however. Ill the pulpit Of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church for the next two Sundays
preaching at Il and 4S0 o'clock. He is staying al
the SAVOY but expects to spend much of his time
visiting friends To-day he will go 10 Newport Al
the close of his engagement at the Fhth-aFe'
church he expects visit several university towns
returning home after a two months stay In Amer
ica. He might be called 10 succeed the KEY. Dr'
Babcock as pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presby-
terian Church Mr.. Black reads hts sermons but ne
addresses himself directly to the people, ana ne
does not always strictly follow his manuserlpF. yes
terday morning he took his text from Isaiah;
will make a man more precious than fine gold he
first sketched the greatness of Babylon, and told
how. in spite of its vast wealth and power real
man was more rare. precious in the streets OF
that city than fine gold Continuing, he said:
Our Christian civilization has place in II for or
the pagan world. We have. for one thing. been
taught least something of the sacreohesss h 81
would prevent sonle Of the hdeous evils OF ancient
mePSe BaPS0b ba%r % been H 10 Very large
tent But the Babylonan spirit has NOT a eIl 'tT ne
the temptation Of forgetfulness Of God cruelty oi
81 Wealth Our foes are The Old foes With new
faces. Every empire is dogged by the same tempta-
add arrogance Of mind to luxury Of life Not once
nor twice have The resources oI eiTizaon pEJIeJ
down. Not once nor twice IN history mas II oeen
material but moral. Not once nor twice has the
world witnessed the strongest nations rotting 70
garded when the purity of the family. the purity of
justice was iSrnsheq when weat5n 1 tSe
lesson of history. so plain that wayiarlns mai man
we err here and think that If we only develop
material resources and make still further discover
selves against destiny In the last resort IL Is not
the money that counts. bat the men not the % %aIm9I
And that ultimately depends upon moral and re
hack upon the soundness OF heart and cleanness of
blood OF its and daughters, upon forutude and
faith and sacrifice and love.
In the afternoon Mr. Black took this text from
] Kings: And the Lord said unto David my
father Whereas II was In thine heart to build an
house my name. thou ddst well that 1t was
in thine heart lie said that mans real inten-
sidered dangerous doctrine. he admitted. but any
doctrine if stupidity interpreted. might be danger
In this matter the teaching Of the Scriptures
is clear. however. and it is not that man may
live rlotously. and find pardon merely in a certain
lazy sort of good Intentions The test Is not with
out but within Mr.. Black also said:
There are no qualities that conduce more to van
ity than cleverness in man or beauty in a woman,
and Yet neither quality entities one 10 credit. In
d :Stry- perseverance. plOdding patience, are
snees ed at by the pinchbeck geniuses Of to-day.
hut. after all. they are the only things for which
deserve credit And yet even these qualities
may be due 70 environment and training. Good
works may spring from evil motives. When Christ
made faith the foundation OF His teaching He
based it on sound psychology. mans life is 70
he judged by his ideals. by what he aims at. not
by what he has achieved. BY their fruits ye
shall judge them but may be hand-
capped hY his training, his blood. his opportunity
beginning and failing may he for grea ter
spiritual victory than easy accomplishment may
lie for you II Is said that good intentions pave
the road 20 he'll, but not IL they sincere
intentions. They may become rungs Of the ladder
that reaches up 10 heaven. II is the quest and
not conquest; the earnest attempt. and not the
realization that Is all important. In Gods account
there are Some things thar make light Of ~
really love Christ. and yet from lack Of oppor-
tunity not able build 10 Him a goodly tenn
pie. remember that lie is not hard master. and
take comfort I'm knowing that thou didst well that
II was in thine heart.