In Memoriam

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 19 March 1915, Page 2

In Memoriam

The service in the Presbyterian Church last Sunday evening was of a most impressive character, and a good congregation was present to render a last token of respect to the fete Black. The preacher Rev, J. Richards), gave a nioA impressive address, the text ot rffiich is given below. Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty ; they shall behold the land that is very far off. ” Isaiah 33.17. In the Revised Version it reads “ They shall see the far-reaching land, and in the original, “ The land of far distances. ” The meaning is a vision of distances, a clear vision of that which is far off.

There are always certain essentials toja clear and far vision, and unless these conditions are observed it will be impossibe to have the outlook desired: Tl.ere are aids to a clear vision. The natural sight may be good. In ordinary matters of business the sight is keen to detect errors, and the mental sight may be as keen as the natural. But for a farreaching look a keen sight for objects close at hand is not enough. A far vision requires natural conditions to aid the natural sight.

The first essential is a clear atmosphere. When there is a haze or a fog surrounding .the landscape, a clear and far vision is impossible. The weather condition must be in our favour. A clear day for a far vision. Now, is this not true with regard to the mental and spiritual outlook ? For a clear vision of great things there must be a clear atmosphere. There are days of mist and gloom, days of doubt and perplexity. To many Christians this day of war, and human tragedy, human suffering prevents the clear, vision The spiritual atmosphere is not clear, and the vision is in consequence restricted A second condition essential to a clear and far-reaching outlook is an elevated position- The mountain climbers know the advantage of elevation when they wish to obtain a far vision, a vision of far-reaching distances. You will notice how this idea of elevation is enforced in the preceeding verses : “ He that walketh righteously,and speaketh uprightly ,he shall dwell on high.” The meaning is, he shall dwell in the high places, and consequently he shall have the fur vision. These are the essential conditions for a revelation of tne far distances. The idea is that far and beautiful visions are the result of elevated principles and noble thoughts. Tho Jews, standing on the elevation of righteousness, would have a wonderful vision of the glory of God.

To those who are sufficiently elevated, and whose vision is helped by the spiritual atmosphere there will open up wonderful elevations of the oneness of humanity and the brotherhood of mankind, embracing the influence of human thought and human action. This idea has not been sufficiently impressed upon the minds of those who are looked upon as the leaders of men. There have been, unfortunately class distinctions, and class hatreds, and these distinctions have hindered the vision of brotherhood.

But there will of necessity be distinctions of the moral attitude of men. The clean cannot associate with the unclean; the pure cannot associate with the impure The levelling influence must begin in the mortal world, and this is the important work in the Christian religion. This lifts religion to the highest elevation, for a true brotherhood means reform of character. The far vision will also embrace an ample provision for human needs It will not be a vision of distress, or want ; it will not be a vision of poverty and consequent crime. It will be a vision of plenty, of rich and abundant harvests,of aland flowing with milk and honey, and of a happy and contented people The near vision is often distressing and sorrowful The far distances also embraces a vision of perfect peace, the peace of God which passetli ail understanding. It does not mean the natrow peace between two individuals, or between two nations. It is a far vision of the world’s peace.

The vision embraces the King in his beauty, tho king dressed in robes of royality and beauty. This vision will extend to the King in his realm of thought. A king’s thought should be great and noble, and strong, and embrace the happiness of his people. It will be the soul’s vision of the King of kings when it enters into the eternal rest, and. beholds the provision made for tho children of God. It i; a vision of happiness without sorrow, and of a glory that shall not' pass away. At the close of the address feeding was made to Black, and her faithful attachment to the church, and her constant work for the good of others.