y on their lips, than
the one spoken by Jesus Christ: 'Seek, and ye shall find.' And they
condemn the poor sinner who lies rotting in the sins which will
carry him to Hell, because he won't put forth a little effort to
find deliverance. And yet, do not some Officers act very much after
the same fashion with respect to this blessing?

"In their efforts they are truly sincere, but they are not much
more forward for them. They say 'It is not for me,' and settle down
as they were.

"The reason for this is not that the promise is not to them. But it
is because they have not been thorough in their surrender; or
because they have been wanting in their belief; or because they do
not persevere; or because they have been mistaken in some past
experience:--

"Another reason why Officers do not find the blessing is the simple
fact that they will not pay the price.

"There is something they will not do; or there is something they
will do; or there is something they will not part with; there is
some doubtful thing that they will not give up. The sacrifice is
too great. They think they would not be happy, or some one else
would not be happy, or something would not be satisfactory; and so
they look and look at the mountain, and long and long, but that is
all. They would like to be there, but the price is too great.

"Another reason why Officers fail is neither more nor less than
their want of faith.

"This, with sincere souls, is by far the most common hindrance. I
have something to say about faith further on.

"And, doubtless, the reason that some Officers fail to reach the
upper levels of Mount Purity arises out of their mistaken views as
to the nature of this experience.

"You have so often heard me dwell on this view of the subject that
I despair of saying anything fresh that will help you. But, knowing
that I am on ground where truly sincere souls are often hindered, I
will make one or two remarks:--

"I have no doubt that many fail here by confounding temptation with
sin.

"They pray--they consecrate--they believe that they receive, and
they rejoice. But by and by, when bad thoughts are suggested to
their minds, they say to themselves, 'Oh, I can't be saved from
sin, or I would not have all those wicked thoughts and suggestion