During the long period in which her mental energies were thus misdirected, a cloud of darkness enveloped her spirit.  She had, when about nineteen years of age, imbibed sceptical views in reference to the truths of revealed religion; and as she seldom read the Holy Scriptures, and was almost a stranger to their sacred contents, her imagination pictured an easier way to escape from the power and the consequences of sin than in that self-renunciation which the Gospel enjoins.  In some memoranda of her experience, she says, in reference to the snares by which her mind was entangled:—­“I was led to a love of metaphysical studies, and fancied I discovered, with clearness, that human vice, and consequently human misery, sprang from ignorance of the nature of virtue, and that if mankind would become instructed they would become good; and that it was only necessary to behold virtue in its native beauty, to love it and to practise it.  O how fallacious was this reasoning!  ’The world by wisdom knows not God; the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.’”

At length, however, when, in 1811, Martha Savory had completed the thirtieth year of her life, she became deeply impressed by the conviction that she was wandering on the barren mountains of doubt and error; and through the renewed visitation of divine love, the light of the Sun of righteousness again shined into her heart, and its humbling influence brake the rock in pieces.  Some circumstances occurred that were instrumental in promoting this great change.  She was introduced into frequent communication with some honored servants of the Lord, particularly with the late Mary Dudley, and her daughter Elizabeth.  An attack of indisposition prostrated her bodily strength, and afforded opportunity for serious reflection.  Whilst from this cause confined to her chamber, a young person (Susanna Corder), with whom she was only very slightly acquainted, but to whom she was ever afterwards united in an intimate and confidential friendship, was attracted to visit her.  The interview was a memorable one; the overshadowing wing of goodness and mercy being permitted to gather their spirits under its blessed influence.  On her recovery from this illness, Martha Savory paid a short visit to her new friend, which afforded an opportunity for the manifestation of continued deep Christian interest; and, on her quitting the house, Susanna Corder put into her hand a copy of the “Olney Hymns.”  When she had proceeded a few steps towards home, she opened the book, and without noticing even the title, instantly cast her eyes on the lines, “The rebel’s surrender to grace,” commencing—­

    “Lord, Thou hast won; at length I yield;
    My heart, by mighty grace compelled,
        Surrenders all to Thee;
    Against thy terrors long I strove,
    But who can stand against thy love? 
       Love conquers even me.”