“The essence of sin is selfishness; that is, the unreasoning,
     improper love of self.  The essence of Holiness is benevolence.  Holy
     souls are mastered by love, filled with love.  Is not that blessed?

     “It will be seen, then, that the Officer who enjoys this experience
     of Holiness will have received power from God to live a life
     consciously separated from sin.

     “A man cannot be living in a God-pleasing state if he is knowingly
     living in sin, or consenting to it, which amounts to the same
     thing.  Let us look a little more closely at this.

     “Holiness will mean a present separation from all that is openly or
     secretly untrue.

     “Any one pretending to be doing the will of God, while acting
     untruthfully or deceitfully in his dealings with those around him,
     is not only guilty of falsehood, but of hypocrisy.

     “To be holy is to be sincere.

     “Holiness means separation from all open and secret dishonesty. 
     This applies to everything like defrauding another of that which is
     his just and lawful due.

     “Holiness also means separation from all that is unjust.

     “Doing unto others as you would that they should do to you, may be
     truly described as one of the lovely flowers and fruits of Purity.

     “Holiness means Salvation from all neglect of duty to God and man.

“All pretensions to Holiness are vain while the soul is living in the conscious neglect of duty.  A holy Officer will do his duty to his Maker.  He will love God with all his heart—­such a heart as he has, big or little.  He will love and worship Him, and strive to please Him in all that he does.  A holy Officer will love his neighbour as himself.  The law of love will govern his dealings with his family, comrades, neighbours—­body and soul.

     “That is a beautiful experience which I am describing, is it not,
     my comrades?  And you cannot be surprised that the Spirit of Purity
     should bring you the message that it is God’s plan of life for you.

     “Upon it let me make a few further remarks.

     “Holiness is a distinct definite state; a man can be in it or out
     of it.

“Holiness is enjoyed partially or entirely by all converted people.  It can be enjoyed partially.  No one would say that every converted man was a holy man, and no one would say that every man who was not perfectly holy was not converted.  But I should say, and so would you, that every truly converted man is the master of sin, although he may not be entirely delivered from it.

“Then, again, Holiness is a continued growth in sincere souls.  With faith, watchfulness, prayer, and obedience, the power of sin diminishes as the days pass along, and the strength of Holiness increases.

     “The line which separates a state of entire from a state of partial
     Holiness may be approached very gradually, but there is a moment
     when it is crossed.