to dwell there.  It must be a charming place.  The multitudes whose feet have ever been permitted to tread its blessed heights think so.

“But while gazing on the entrancing sight, the question spontaneously arises:  ‘How can I get there?’ There is evidently no mountain railway nor elevator on which, while reclining on pillows of ease, and serenaded by music and song, you can be rapidly and smoothly lifted up to the blessed summit.  Those who reach that heavenly height must climb what the Bible calls the ’Highway of Holiness.’  And they will usually find it a rugged, difficult journey, often having to fight every inch of the way.  But, once on the celestial summit, the travellers will feel amply repaid for every atom of trouble and toil involved in the ascent.

“The road 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.