Armagh
Sept 30th (1848?)

Dear Grandmamma,

I was both surprised and glad at seeing your letter yesterday, and am much obliged for your good advice. I hope it will not be long till Jesus reveals the light of his face to Bessy. I was thinking that if a person had to do some hard thing to obtain salvation a great many more would be trying to gain it than are but it is so simple (believe and receive). May God open her heart to receive the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the devil tempts me to believe that Christ has not changed my heart at all but I always find it the best plan to kneel down and lay all before him. May the Lord help me and never allow me to retrograde which is the only thing I fear. I am also much obliged to Mamma and Dada for their good advice. Tell Mamma I have got the trousers and get the shoes before Sunday. Would she like me to get a white hankerchief. I delivered her messages to Mr R. I believe the fare to Monaghan is 2s.

With love to all,

I remain your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson