illuminated several books. Also he painted and adorned the altars of the
church most beautifully with the figures of saints.



CHAPTER VIII.


_How John Kempen was chosen as the first Prior of Mount St. Agnes_.

In the year 1399, after Easter, John of Kempen, one of the community at
Windesem, was chosen to be Prior of the House of Mount St. Agnes.

By the help of God, he, the first Prior, did govern the affairs of the
House, with the many poor inmates, zealously and devoutly for nine years.
Also he added to the possessions of the monastery in laudable wise,
providing buildings and books and other things needful. He it was that
ordered the building of the chief part of the church walls, and he made
ready much timber for the finishing of the roof. He began to plant an
orchard on the south side of the cloister, and he set forest trees round
it on every side. This is that very garden that Gerard Groote, long
before, pointed out to the Brothers that they should grow their herbs
therein. For a long time wheat was grown, but a great while after herbs
were planted.

In the days of the Prior, mountains and hills were made low, and hollow
valleys were filled up: then was fulfilled to the letter that which is
written in Esaias, a text oft spoken of by the Brothers in the midst of
their toil: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill
shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough