OF SIX MEDLEVAL WOMEN 



Halle, whilst the seventh, consisting of sundry 

 visions and teachings during the last years of her 

 life, was put together just before her death at 

 Helfta in 1282, and, as she pathetically adds, 

 " by strange eyes and hands." In all of these, 

 whilst reflecting in them her inmost feelings, she 

 expresses her entire dependence on spiritual help 

 and inspiration. " The writing of this book," she 

 says, " is seen and heard and felt in every limb. 

 I see it with the eyes of my soul, and hear it with 

 the ears of my eternal spirit, and feel in every 

 part of my body the power of the Holy Ghost." 

 The general tenor of her writings is con- 

 templative and prophetic. Whilst, as a contem- 

 plative, she reminds us of Suso, as a reformer, 

 proclaiming her prophetic warnings, she recalls 

 to us St. Hildegarde, though the latter was a 

 more astute and powerful reasoner. It would 

 seem as if, in general, there are two conflicting 

 tendencies in minds such as Mechthild's, a tend- 

 ency to tradition in her case, of course, church 

 tradition and a tendency to definite self-expres- 

 sion. With Mechthild it was certainly that of 

 self-expression which predominated, for whilst, 

 with her, both co-operated to make a beautiful 

 whole, it was in detail and ornament, so to 

 speak, rather than in the design itself, that she 

 showed her special qualities and gifts. Further, 

 as a mystic, she may be classed with those " for 

 whom mysticism is above all things an intimate 

 and personal relation, the satisfaction of a deep 

 desire," and who therefore fall back " upon 



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