“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 suggestions streaming through my soul.”

     “They confound temptation with sin.  Whatever they may say about it,
     they do not see the difference existing between temptation and sin.

     “Some Officers are hindered in the fight for Holiness by supposing
     that purity will deliver them from serious depression, low spirits,
     and the like.

“With many sincere souls I have no doubt that one of the most serious hindrances in this strife is the confounding of Holiness with happiness, and thinking that if they are holy they will be happy all the time; whereas the Master Himself was a Man of Sorrows, and lived, more or less, a life of grief.

“Then there comes the last reason