Joseph Passmore was the grandson of Mary Rippon, sister of Rev. John Rippon—who opened and presided over the congregation at New Park Street Chapel several decades before C.H. Spurgeon arrived. Shortly after Spurgeon’s arrival, he and Passmore struck up a friendship and, in January of 1855, Passmore & Alabaster began printing every original sermon and direct work of Charles thereafter. Passmore and business companion, James Alabaster, maintained their partnership for many years, residing in the ‘printer’s alley’ of London at 4 Paternoster Row/Building.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY, DIARY, LETTERS, AND RECORDS – VOLUME 1
(The friend who walked back with Mr. Spurgeon to his lodging in Queen Square, at the close o! the first Sabbath evening’s service at New Park Street Chapel, was Mr. Joseph Passmore. That walk was the prelude to a life-long friendship and happy association in church work and in the publication of the beloved Pastor’s many works. The following is the first letter ever written by Mr. Spurgeon to his friend, and is included in the Autobiography through the kindness of his eldest son and namesake, Mr. Joseph Passmore: — )
“May 17th, 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 }leaven. 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.”
Image Credit: Images, Internet Archive Book. “Image From Page 77 of ‘Autobiography of Charles H. Spurgeon Compiled From His Diary, Letters and Records by His Wife and His Private Secretary’ (1899).” Flickr, www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14579328159.
