observe how, in later years, this talent
for metrical rhythm, which had been so misapplied, became consecrated, as
were all her faculties, to the promotion of piety and virtue.

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 i