First, note that you're dangerously close to something dangerous.
Be CERTAIN that the wires you are fooling with are not 'live' before starting this. Maybe even turning off the Main Breaker of the whole place to be sure.
As someone asked: Are you saying that you have two wires, or two Romex cables (white jacket with a black a white and a bare conductor)?
What is it you are hooking up, or changing?
Re-reading, it sounds like you've got two Romex cables and you know where they go...you just need to ID them.
As said above, IF they are DEAD....and neither end is hooked up to anything, you should first check for voltage to verify there is none. Then use the OHM setting to see if there is continuity between the black and the bare in either cable.
If not (there shouldn't be***) then go to the other end, (verify no voltage) twist a bare and the black in the same Romex together. Go back to the other end and check for continuity between the black and bare in either Romex. When you see continuity, go back and un-twist them and recheck to verify.
You've got it.
***If there is continuity between the black and any other wire or ground, then the wire IS CONNECTED to something, a light or fan, etc.