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 ways plain".