John Ryland was an English Baptist minister and religious writer. (1753-1825)
John Ryland, Betty Ryland
When John Ryland’s wife Betty lay adying, she was in great distress of mind, though she had been for many years a Christian. Her husband said to her in his quaint but wise way,
“Oh, John, I am dying, and I have no hope, John!”
“But, my dear, where are you going then?”
“I am going to hell!” was the answer.
“Well,” said he, covering up his deep anguish with his usual humour, and meaning to strike a blow that would be sure to hit the nail on the head and put her doubts to speedy flight, “what do you intend doing when you get there, Betty?”
The good woman could give no answer, and Mr. Ryland continued, “Do you think you will pray when you get there?”
“Oh, John,” said she, “I should pray anywhere; I cannot help praying!”
“Well, then,” said he, “they will say, ‘Here is Betty Ryland praying here; turn her out; we won’t have anybody praying here; turn her out!’”
This strange way of putting it brought light to her soul, and she saw at once the absurdity of the very suspicion of a soul really seeking Christ, and yet being cast away for ever from his presence.
(Spurgeon's Sermons on Prayer by Charles H. Spurgeon (2007). Page 27., https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-ravens-cry/#flipbook/)