h could not be held by a fully sanctified person any more
than fire can be carried in a man's bosom and he not be burned;
situations involving the practice of evil or resulting in gain through
the unjust sufferings of others. Such positions must be given up, if
men wish to enjoy God's sanctifying power. I am not, however, dealing
now with such positions or the circumstances connected with them; I am
referring to circumstances or conditions of life which are lawful in
themselves and in the light of the Word of God, but which may present
difficulties and involve serious trial to those determined to live
purely and serve God faithfully.

The fear in some instances is that if they obtain the blessing the
strain of temptation would be such as to render a fall probable. 'I
could not _keep_ the blessing if I got it'; 'If I could change my
position, or surroundings, or connexions, then I would take the
necessary steps'. These are words we frequently hear. A married man or
woman says, 'Ah! if only I were single, then I could live a life of
full consecration'. With equal seriousness the single person says, 'Ah!
if only I were married, then the life of purity and Holiness would be
possible to me'. The mother, fearful about the strain which the care of
the children brings, often speaks in the same way. So it is with
business relationships and many other matters in which the
circumstances are presented as things making Holiness an impossibility.

When I was a young man in business I yearned for a position in which I
could be separate from all worldly entanglements, so that I could
obtain and enjoy the blessing. But, do you know, since I have been a
Salvation Army Officer, I have often been tempted to think that the
sanctified life is easier in the circumstances of commercial life, and
that if I was so placed the spiritual things would be more appreciated,
and I should be able to live nearer to God. You see, it is the same old
temptation, 'My circumstances, my conditions of life, my work, my
home', and the fear of these things often becomes a snare.

That is a pathetic picture which the Psalmist gives us of these poor
Jews by the waters of Babylon, who, when urged to sing the songs of
Zion, answered, 'How shall we sing the Lord's songs in a strange land?'
Is not that the feeling which bursts from many lips and many more
hearts, 'How can you expect _me_, in _my_ circumstances, to get
sanctified and live a holy life?'

But is not t