New-York tribune., 1906-11-28
PROF. BLACK SEATED.
Installed as Professor an Union Theo-
logical Seminary.

Impressive ceremonies marked the induction
yesterday afternoon O, the Rev. Hugh Black. for
several years the co-pastor OF 81. Georges Free
ohurch, Edinburgh. Scotland. into the new pro-
lessorship Of practical theology established two
years ago at Union Theological Seminary by Nor
us X Jesup. The Rev Mr.. Black is the first to
occupy the new professorship. He held IL tempo
"S LOT SIX months of last year and later. when
on eiecuon took place. decided to give up his
Scottish pulpit
9.uueh,s. directors, faculty and visiting college
-, seminary representatives with the Rev. Mr..
D'ach' made up a procession which marched into
No <Auanns chapel Of the seminary at 69th street
" @hu rark avenue, at o'clock At the rear marched
I'm S crosoy Brown. president OF the seminary
board OF trustees
Mr.. Brown presided. On the plassorro with him.
besldes the Rev. Mr.. Black were Morris K Jes,,p
-<icnoias murray Butler. president OF Columbia
ChtVersltyi the Rev. DR.. George William Knox
NNs Prestdehl or the seminary; the Rev DR..
I'm De wiz OF princeton Theological Seminary;
Chanceilor MacCracken OF New York University
George B. Stewart, president of Auburn Theology,
cal Seminary; D. Willis James one O, the direc-
tors OF the seminary and others
we near" said the Rev. DIR. N r. Richards pas
Tor OF the Brick Presbyterian Church. In his charge
10 the new professor that the age OF preaching has
gone Dy. we are told that this is the age of the
college class room. of the library and Of the news.
paper and that people longer care to listen to
q voice. when the printed words speak stronger
ana more vibrant note than can most voices.
Il believe that in this age OF complex relations
with all of the machinery that tends to separate
men. the preacher is needed than ever. If
ST. Paul were here he would speak out. The world
Is hungry to hear voice that will speak TO 1t as
spoke Paul. Timothy, Francis OF Assist. savon-
arola. Phillips Brooks or Dwight Moody"
Professor Black in responding. said in part:
The preacher Of to-day must shape his message
70 the hour. 1t must be the same old message,
but 1t must be adapted. The fault with too much
Tar too much--of our preaching to-day is that
it is merely criticism of life This is not preach
Ing. The man who devotes his time to criticism Ia
not preacher There is too much, also OF sub
tects instead OF messages. Too many things are
balanced in nicely OF criticism with questions
outside the pulpts radius. and the truth Is often
times presented in a coorless fashion, with a yea
and nay, until the hearer cannot tell whether
the preacher means yes or
We may not affect the age with our preaching
but the age is to affect The pEsecheT
must be the last man in the world to be narrow
minded or exclusive. Dogmatisn and condemnation
have place IN the pulpit Negative preaching Is
futile for the most part.
Now, the practical side of preaching what
shall be the preachers attitude7 Shall he discuss
politics? Shall he act as public censor? Shall he
become hdebound partisan? Shall he take ur
every industrial question and attempt to settle
every strike from the pulpit2 Empha tically. no
1t would debase the pulpit TO political platform