Matelda and the cloister of Hellfde

BY THE SAME AUTHOR
TREES PLANTED BY THE RIVER . Crown 8vo, 4s. 6d. “This excellent book will commend itself to many a contemplative Christian during hours of quiet communion with his own soul and with God.”— Christian Commonwealth. “A delightful book, and presents points of interest quite novel.”— Rock. “There are some exquisite sketches of the religious history of individuals who exerted a powerful influence in their day, but of whom we know nothing now, which will be highly appreciated by every spiritually-minded Christian.”— Methodist Times. “A deeply interesting book.”— Aberdeen Free Press. THREE FRIENDS OF GOD. Records from the Lives of John Tauler, Nicholas of Basle, Henry Suso. By Frances A. Bevan, Author of “The Story of Wesley,” etc. Crown 8vo, 5s. “Fascinating glimpses of the strange religious life of mediæval Europe. No student of history and human nature can fail to be interested by this book, while to pious minds it will bring stimulus and edification.”— Scotsman . HYMNS OF TER STEEGEN, SUSO, AND OTHERS. Edited by Mrs. Frances Bevan, Author of “Trees Planted by the River,” etc. Crown 8vo, 1s. 6d. “Some of the hymns are very beautiful, calculated to strengthen the weary, comfort the sad, stimulate the down-hearted, and draw the soul nearer to God.”— Record. “The literary quality of many of the hymns will be welcome to many lovers of sacred poetry.”— Manchester Guardian.
EXTRACTS FROM THE BOOK OF MATILDA OF MAGDEBURG
SELECTED AND TRANSLATED BY FRANCES BEVAN
AUTHOR OF “THREE FRIENDS OF GOD,” “TREES PLANTED BY THE RIVER,” “HYMNS OF TER STEEGEN, SUSO, AND OTHERS,” ETC.
London JAMES NISBET & CO. 21 BERNERS STREET 1896
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. At the Ballantyne Press
To most of us the Matelda of Dante has been scarcely more than a shape existing in the mind of a poet. It may be that she now stands before us not only as a woman of flesh and blood, but as one who has for us in these days a marvellous message. One of the great cloud of witnesses to the love and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, speaks to us in a German Béguine, who is now recognised by many as the original of her who conducted Dante into “the terrestrial Paradise.”