d to this glorious height passes through various plateaux
or stages which run all round the sides of the mountain, each
different from the other, and each higher than the one that
preceded it. Travellers to the summit have to pass through each of
these stages. Let me enumerate some of the chief among them.

"To begin with, there is the awakening stage, where the climbers
obtain their first fair view of this holy hill.

"It is here that the desire to make the ascent first breaks out.
This longing is often awakened by reading various guide-books or
Holiness advertisements, such as _The War Cry_, or _Perfect Love_,
which set forth the blessedness experienced by those who make the
heavenly ascent. Sometimes the desire to ascend the holy hill is
awakened by the pure light which every now and then shines from the
summit direct into the travellers' hearts. Or, it may be their
souls are set on fire with a holy longing to be emptied of sin and
filled with love by the burning testimonies of some of the people
who live up there, but who come down into the valley every now and
then to persuade their comrades to make the ascent. Anyway, it
almost always happens when those who read these guide-books and
listen to these testimonies begin to search their Bibles and cry to
God for guidance, that a spirit of hunger and thirst sets in which
gives them no rest until they themselves resolve to take the
journey up the side of this wonderful mountain.

"A little higher up, and you reach the starting stage.

"Here those who fully resolve upon seeking holiness of heart first
enter their names in the 'Travellers' Book.' On this plateau I
observe that there is a great deal of prayer. You can hear the
earnest petitions going up to Heaven, whichever way you turn. And,
much prayer as there is, you can hear much singing also. One of the
favourite songs commences:--

"O glorious hope of perfect love!
It lifts me up to things above,
It bears on eagles' wings;
It gives my ravished soul a taste,
And makes me for some moments feast
With Jesus' priests and kings.

"There is another favourite song which begins:--

"O joyful sound of Gospel grace!
Christ shall in me appear;
I, even I, shall see His face,
I shall