Spanish Mystics; A Sequel to "Many Voices" (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 Excerpt: ...remarkable in Teresa--this was her good sense, which never failed her. She possessed an extraordinary amount of tact and power of persuasion, and these are exhibited in every instance where she met with opposition. She accustomed herself never to complain of those who rose up against her, but on the contrary made excuses for them; and thus she softened the hearts of her opponents, and in the end generally won them over to her cause. Teresa's friends did not desert her in this emergency, and it was determined to apply to the Holy See and obtain, if possible, a Brief in favour of the new convent. In the meanwhile the building was continued and the little chapel nearly finished, when a sudden order arrived which removed Teresa from Avila. Though looked upon with suspicion and even contumely at this time by many in her native city, the holy life of Teresa, and the extraordinary gifts bestowed upon her, had become known in other parts of Spain. Francis Borgia and Peter of Alcantara had borne witness to her fervent devotion, and to the intense reality of her faith. Teresa's fame had reached the ears of Dona Luisa, Duchess de la Cerda, a young widow, overwhelmed with grief at the early death of her husband. Insensible alike to the caresses of her child and the devotion of her brother, her one desire in the midst of her desolation was that Teresa of Avila might be summoned to console her. In December 1561 an order was accordingly obtained from the Provincial of the Carmelites, in obedience to which Teresa started at once for Toledo. There a great change awaited her. She who longed for a life of poverty and simplicity found herself lodged in a palace, surrounded by a princely retinue, and treated with the utmost homage by all. She was received as an angel of consola...