William O'Neill's Miraculous Fulfillment of His Father's Prophetic Blessing

“Shortly before his death my father called his children to his bedside, for the purpose of giving us his parting blessing. When he came to me he laid his hands upon my head and said, among other things: “William, my son, you shall go to the land of my fathers, and shall be instrumental in bringing some of my relatives to a knowledge of the truth.” I was then but a boy, and the words made a deep impression upon my mind, though I could not see how they were to be fulfilled. Years passed by, and I was called on a mission to Scotland. I felt that the time for the fulfillment of my father’s promise was drawing near. I had no knowledge of any of my relatives in that country, nor did I know where to look for them. One day I learned that there was a brother of my father living in Lanarkshire, and I at once set out to try and find him. After a time I learned his address, and went there. I found him, but he was very old and feeble. While talking with him, she told me she had a letter written to a cousin of hers, a Miss Maggie Howard, of Killburney, Scotland, and asked me if I would address the letter for her. I did so, and in the letter I wrote a few lines to Miss Howard, telling her who I was and what my mission was. In a few days I received a reply, and we corresponded for some time. Miss Howard named a place where she would meet me the following Saturday. We met, and she took me home and introduced me to three of her sisters, to all of whom I preached the gospel. Miss Howard, however, could not receive it, but two of her sisters accepted the message with gladness. I baptized them, and they accompanied me to Zion, where they are at present happy and contented. Thus was my father’s blessing literally fulfilled.”

— William O'Neill, The Young Woman's Journal