TO MR. PASSMORE

May 17, 1854.

MY DEAR BROTHER, —

I am extremely obliged to you for your kind present. I find that all the kindness is not in the country, some at least grows in town; and, if nowhere else, it is to be found in a house in Finsbury.

It is sweet to find oneself remembered. I trust the harmony .between us may never receive the slightest jar, but continue even in Heaven. We have, I trust, just ‘commenced a new era; and, by God’s blessing, we will strive to make it a glorious one to our Church. Oh, that our hopes may all be realized! I feel assured that your constant prayers are going up fervently to Heaven; let us continue wrestling, and the wished-for blessing must arrive.

With Christian regards to you and Mrs. Passmore, I am, Yours most truly, C. H. SPURGEON. [Undated. ]

MY DEAR MR.PASSMORE, —

As you have to-day paid to me the largest amount I have ever received from your firm at one time, I seize the opportunity of saying, what I am sure you know already, that I am most sincerely thankful to God for putting me into your hands in my publishing matters. My connection with you has been one of unmingled satisfaction and pleasure. Your liberality has been as great as it has been spontaneous. Had I derived no personal benefit, it would have delighted me to see you prosper, for my interest in you is as deep as if you were my own brother, as indeed in the best sense you are. From you and your partner, I have received nothing but kindness, courtesy, and generosity. My share of profits has always exceeded my expectations, and the way it has been given has been ever more valuable than the money itself. God bless you both in your business and your families! May your health be recruited, and as long as we live, may we be on as near and dear terms as we ever have been! I am afraid I sometimes tease you when I grumble in my peculiar way; but I never intend anything but to let you know where a screw may be loose with your workmen, and not because I really have anything to complain of. Your growing welfare lies very near my heart, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to see you advance in prosperity.

I need not add my Christian love to you as my friend and deacon.

Yours ever truly, C. H. SPURGEON. [Undated. ]

DEAR MR.PASSMORE, —

Have you retired from business? For, if not, I should be glad. of proofs for the month of November of a book entitled Morning by Morning which, unless my memory fails me, you began to print. I was to have had some matter on Monday; and it is now Wednesday. Please jog the friend who has taken your business, and tell him thatYOU always were the very soul of punctuality, and that he must imitate you.

I send a piece for October 31, for I can’t find any proof for that date.

Please let the gentleman who has taken your business have it soon.

Yours ever truly, C. H. SPURGEON.

P.S.

Has Mr. Alabaster retired, too? I congratulate you both, and hope the new firm will do as well. What is the name? I’ll make a guess, —

MESSRS. QUICK AND SPEEDY. [Undated. ]

DEAR PASSMORE, —

I want a complete set of my sermons bound best; only mark! must and will pay for them trade price. No nonsense. Then I want six Morning by Mornings, which charge to that account. I want also two of my large Hymn-books good binding, and four of the 5s. small, which charge to Hymn-book account.

Suppose I cannot see this sermon again; ask reader to be careful. Note in Sword and Trowel, errors page 434 “all gain and no loss” should have been “all loss and no gain.” Page 645 —

“ men is like” for “men are like.” This last, reader should have noticed. Go ahead with the Almanack. I have more matter if more should be required. I am very much better.

Yours for ever, C. H. SPURGEON. [Undated. ]

DEAR MR.PASSMORE, —

All goes well. Our weather is glorious, I am getting well and strong.

Your men do not carefully attend to our corrections, and even make fresh blunders. Would you just give them a hint again?

I do not write to complain, but to inform you, that your office may be famous for accuracy.

Mrs. S. Book just come. I will try to write a preface, but must see if the maggot’ will bite.

You need not send any more sermons, as I have used the three. I sent three sermons yesterday. S. & T. to-night. Hard work.

Those proofs sent by us’ to-day should be returned at once, that you may cast them and get along. Things intended to reach us soon should come by letter post.

Yours ever heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

BOULOGNE,

Dec. 23.

MY DEAR MRS.PASSMORE,—

Your noble husband is sitting before the fire on one chair, with his legs up on another, and as it seemed to be a pity to disturb His Royal Highness, I offered to write to you for him, and he accepted the offer. I am happy to say that our mutually respected and beloved Joseph is much better, and will, I hope, arrive at Park Lodge in first-rate condition about 7 or o’clock on Friday. The sea is in an excited condition, and I fear none of us will need an emetic when crossing to-morrow; but it will be better arranged than if we had the management of it, no doubt.

I am very much obliged to you for lending me your worser half so kindly.

He is a dear, kind., generous soul, and worth his weight in angels any day.

I hope all the young folk axe well. My dear wife says you are bonnie, which is vastly better than being bony.

My kindest regards are always with you and yours. Pray accept my love, and I daresay His Royal Highness, the King of Little Britain, would send his also; but he is so much engrossed in reading the Standard that I have not asked about it.

Yours ever truly, C. H. SPURGEON.

WESTWOOD,

March 11, 1891.

DEAR MR.PASSMORE, —

When that good little lad came here on Monday with the sermon, late at night, it was needful. But please blow somebody up for sending the poor little creature here, late to-night, in all this snow, with a parcel much heavier than he ought to carry. He could not get home till eleven, I fear; and I feel like a cruel brute in being the innocent cause of having a poor lad out at such an hour on such a night. There was no need at all for it. Do kick somebody for me, so that it may not happen again.

Yours ever heartily, C. H. SPURGEON.

MENTONE,

Jan. 16, ‘92.

MY DEAR OLD FRIEND, —

I have only good news to send you. I have not gone backward, but Doctor says I am a shade better as to my disease; in other respects, I feel up to the mark. Mrs. S. well.

Beautiful ride half-way to Turbie this morning; turned back at the Fountain. Weather has been bad, but to-day is heavenly. Snow on the mountains just makes us the more grateful. Come along as soon as you can.

Mrs. P. thanks you heartily, but does not know of anything which she desires.

I sent telegram of sympathy to Sandringham. I could not help it as the Prince had so kindly thought of me. May the Lord save all you love from this fell disease.