The author of Testing the Spirit imparts the fruit of his experience as master of novices. His desire for the growth of religious communities is not a desire for mere increase in numbers, but rather for promising quality. In some instances unsatisfactory attitudes are amenable to correction and improvement. For these cases the author advises the procedure to be followed and the remedies to be applied. When a candidate is evidently fit or unfit for the religious or priestly life, the vocational counselor readily comes to a decision.