12th April 1854
9 Spencer Street
Belfast

Dear and kind Miss Lascelles

Your touchingly affectionate letter I had the pleasure of receiving on Saturday last and one enclosed for Kate. The circumstances under which they were written and arrived completely unfited me for an earlier supply, the thoughts of such kindness and the peculiar (?) season of the year brought some many things to remembrance it is even now and effort. They are, I trust, grateful feelings, but far, far short of what they should be. Accept them - however - my dear Miss Lascelles from one who knows herself … not alone for one kindness but many and oft repeated also. I do pray that God will bless, for ever bless you. I have a few ties in Killough second among the excellent of the earth. May I be found amongst them on the morning of the resurrection. I have many bitter things to write against myself. I desire no other plea but this "For me, for me the Saviour dies" indeed .. I should be for ever talking and acting for Jesus. I am sure you will forgive me my dear Miss Lascelles when I say that, altho I regret leaving my native country and the dear friends whose voices I shall never more hear that I have no .. in meeting my family. They intend drawing round me and I feel persuaded some of them are saved of the Lord on others the light of truth is drawing and are imbued with great affection for their Father and myself.

I am sorry to hear of continued accounts of dear Mrs Surch's declining health but she is prepared for her master, her friend, have no fear for her on this important point. I hope to be able to write a few lines the beginning of next week to her and my very dear Mrs Eaves, our thread of correspondence often breaks but the affection - never.

I have the comfort of seeing Mrs Parkinson sometimes - ever kind and considerate as she is. I think they all like Belfast as indeed who would not. Where Doctor Aickins form a part - dear Miss Aicken - she is what may be called a pattern girl - one fitted to make religion desirable and a something to love. We intend leaving Belfast somewhere about the eleventh or twelfth of May for Glasgow from whence we sail for America. New York being the port it is wished we should land at, it being thought to be the most direct and less troublesome to start from for Cincinnati our destination - our journey from New York to that place will occupy about forty eight hours without intermission, but Nannie desires I may have a hood as she sais having travelled the south. I can had a rest thro the night in the carriage - they have given such ample directions that it would seem they have provided for almost every eventuality - short of danger - for this part of the undertaking, my Dear Miss Lascelles - I trust I have submitted to the care of the Eternal the wonderful Being who has provided for me. I desire to have no other wish or wish either for myself or mine but that His presence should go with us - this it is that makes heaven itself. I feel these things will be a satisfaction to you to know and a solace when you think of me as I know you will at the throne of grace which passing over that great and wide sea and now I will tell you what would be a lasting consolation to me - you know there is a spot, a little place in Bright church-yard - ever I would be able to assure myself that you would sometimes visit it - were it even but once and see that all is decent pluck a daisy or a weed as it may be - it would be a happy thought to me. I hope to interest one two anon of our mutual friends to visit the lonely dwelling, a thing I could never do myself - into this feeling I am persuaded you can dear dear Miss Lascelles enter - therefore I shall make no apology. My dear love to the dear old lady Mrs Johnston. I have nothing to wish for her but that she may pay me the compliment of committing me and mine to God in prayer. My love to Mrs Eves and Mrs Surch - perhaps I shall be permitted to see at least one of them before my departure, Mr Nelson's family, one and all. Farewell my beloved friend, every, every, .. blessing be thine in time in eternity, in affection, thine evermore,

Mary Rogan