world, and choose rather to lose their soul than to give up their stubborn will. After so many had turned away from Jesus he turned to the twelve disciples and said, "Will ye also go away?" But Peter turned to him and said, "To whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Truly, it is better to choose the ways of the Lord and obey his voice than to turn back into the ways of sin. When people consider that what God says in his word is true, and is to be obeyed, and follow him with a willing heart, they will find it a blessed privilege to learn what more he has for them to do. It will be a blessing to them to find out where there are "secret faults" to be swept out of the way in order to make advancement. Sometimes there are things in our lives that are a hindrance to a forward move, which we are unable to find out until the Lord permits us to pass through some severe trial, or seemingly withdraws from us for a time; although if we trust in him, he will never leave us nor forsake us. Yet if we will not learn lessons any other way, he will at times give us a chance for much earnest prayer and supplication before he will grant an answer. sometimes lets us get into a real spiritual lock, where we have to pray our way out.

He

For an illustration, a vessel may be sailing along a river or canal very smoothly, and not a thing to hinder rapid progress, and as it advances down the stream the vessel seems to have a more rapid and easy motion, and there is little else to do but to drift carelessly

along with the tide. But finally during this rapid movement it runs into a place and comes to a sudden standstill. There is a solid wall in front, a wall on either side; and, in fact, it is closed up in a place where there is no room for further progress until a great change takes place. After it is brought to this standstill it is observed that it has just been passing over the falls, and before it can sail any further must be let down to the level of the water below. So the valves of this lock in which it is enclosed are opened, and as the water gushes out the vessel begins gradually to sink down until it reaches the level of the water below. Then the doors of the lock are thrown open, and it sails off as readily as before. This is a good illustration of the Christian who is on just a little too much of an elevated plane to glorify God in all things. He may sail along very nicely for a while until he reaches the point where God wants him to settle down upon the Word a little more firmly and in greater depths of humility; so he just lets him get into a spiritual lock, and lets him stay there until he can pray his way out. And when the prayer of faith begins to ascend, and there is a real sinking down into humility as he keeps settling more and more upon the Word and promises of God, soon the windows of heaven are opened and he is in good sailing condition again, better qualified for what is before him.

It is necessary for persons to be placed in such positions now and then in order that they may be fitted

for greater usefulness for God.

Whether this is

brought about through some severe trial, or a real present need felt of higher attainments, does not matter, just so we come to the Lord and speedily learn the lesson. Humility and meekness will open the way for many a forward move. And again, we must have perfect confidence in God, that he will lift us up in every time of need; and when the way seems almost impossible we can look up to him with perfect confidence and trust, and soon find ourselves outriding every obstacle, every mountain of difficulty removed, and our pathway strewn with victories all the way along, just like the vessel sailing up the stream. On reaching the falls it would be impossible for it to pass over them, but as before it runs into a lock and is closed up and the water let in, and it gradually rises higher and higher until it reaches the point on a level with the water above; then the gateway is opened and it sails out upon an elevated plane. In our Christain life there need be nothing stand in our way to hinder our progress in the ways of the Lord. There are often things that would appear as barriers, and would be, were we to permit them to be such; but if we properly take them to the Lord, knowing that everything works together for good to them that love the Lord, we can get profit out of every obstacle that would be thrown in our way, and make a forward move in spite of all that the enemy of our souls may try to bring against us.

THE FIRST DIFFICULTIES.

There are some conditions to be met and things to be removed before any very great progress can be made in the divine life. Among these may be mentioned that of having command of our thoughts, and getting rid of imaginations that are not pleasing to God. To the one who has been in the habit of harboring evil thoughts it is sometimes quite difficult to know just how to overcome such and gain a victory on that line. If not constantly on the guard, the thoughts wander on lines that are displeasing to God, evil imaginations and such like. But it is possible to have such command of the thoughts as not to displease the Lord. We read in 2 Cor. 10:4, 5: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Here we find that it is possible to have every thought brought into captivity and obedience to Christ. Now evil thoughts may present themselves, and it is the business of the enemy of souls to present them, but if we are on our guard he can not make us harbor the same. When we come to the Lord in humble, earnest prayer at such times, it will not be a hard matter to bring our thoughts into captivity through the help of the Lord. Ofttimes it is the case that people let their

thoughts run at random without any effort to control them, and put themselves in a passive state for the Devil to have his own way; then they are sure to be troubled on that line. But there must be a positive stand taken against the powers of the evil one, and much watching and praying; and instead of letting the mind run on things of a low character, think of better things; keep the mind on some pure and holy lines of thought and work; a spiritual song, or praises unto the Lord from the heart, or reading the Word, will even make a change, and defeat the enemy. He will pester you if he can, and I have known persons who, when they would try to think of anything good, then Satan would be sure to try to bring something evil before their minds, and thus keep hampering them with it until they rebuked him sharply and commanded him to take his departure, and then would turn their minds to holy things, and give God praise and glory for victory over the powers of the evil one.

Phil. 4:8, 9 tells us what to think about: "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. . . . And the God of peace shall be with you."

For a person to be exalted and lifted up in his own estimation is another difficulty in the way of progress; because the Lord giveth grace unto the humble, and