IN the year 1875 Elder Geo. L. Farrell, now a Patriarch of Cache County, was a missionary in England, and presiding over the Nottingham conference. He had not been thus engaged very long when he received a letter from Elder Richard V. Morris, president of the Birmingham conference, proposing to exchange visits with him, and enjoy the novelty of traveling through one another's conference. He concluded by inviting Elder Farrell to meet him at Northampton, thence to proceed through other parts of the Birmingham conference.
They accordingly met at the place named, and the host took the visitor to have lunch at the home of a member of the church by the name of Challis.
As they entered the house, they noticed a young couple, man and wife, seated at a table, who, on hearing Elder Farrell introduced to Brother and Sister Challis, hastily arose and left the house.
While the meal was being prepared, Elder Morris informed the guest that the young couple who had so suddenly departed were the daughter and son-in-law of their entertainers, and were members of the Church of England.
While the meal was being partaken of, Elder Farrell noticed that Sister Challis had an anxious look on her face, and that she left the table several times and made brief visits to a bed room. The last time she did so she appeared dejected, which aroused the curiosity of the guest, who with solitude inquired if she had some one sick in the other room. She replied, "Yes, sir. I have a daughter in that room who has been ill and bedfast for more than two years. We have had five doctors attending her, who have all given her up. The last one just left, declaring that she is bound to die soon, and that he could do no more for her.
"Don't you believe what the doctors say," responded Elder Farrell assuringly. "They don't know it all. The Lord still lives, and is ready and willing to heal your daughter, if she has faith in His promises. I would like to see your daughter."
The mother shook her head doubtfully and replied: "I don't think she would be willing for you to see her, as she is a member of the Church of England, and the minister and his family and the ladies and gentlemen of the church have paid all the doctors, been extremely kind to her and have done all in their power to make her happy and comfortable. They have so embittered her against the 'Mormons' that I think it would be useless for me to tell her that you wish to see her."
"Notwithstanding all that," said the Elder, "I still feel that I would like to see her. Please do me the favor to go and tell her who I am, and that I must see her."
The mother went into the room and was absent several minutes. Elder Morris in the meantime said: "I think you will not get to see her, for I have tried and have failed. Therefore I will go down the street a block and a half to No. 120, and if you don't get to see her come there, and you will find me."
After awhile Mother Challis reappeared looking more cheerful, and exclaimed, "Brother Farrell, she is willing for you to come in and see her!"