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THOMAS J. COMBER

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flDiS0ionar^ IfMoueer to tbe Conao

JOHN BROWN MYERS

(association secretary baptist missionary society)

AUTHOR OF “william CAREY, THE SHOEMAKER WHO BECAME THE ‘FATHER
AND FOUNDER OF MODERN MISSIONS.’”

LONDON

S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO,

8 & 9 Paternoster Row

PREFACE.

The name of Thomas Comber is widely known
amongst the friends of Christian Missions to
the heathen. Many of those who knew him
personally have intimated their desire for a
memorial record of his life and labours. There are,
however, more general considerations which make
such a record appropriate. Mr. Comber was one of
two — Mn Grenfell being the other— who were the
first missionary pioneers to enter Congo country.
From that entrance until his death, he was the
acknowledged leader of the Mission he thus helped
to originate. And when the Dark Continent ” shall
be no longer dark, but shall have become “ light in
the Lord,” it may be that African Christians will
gratefully recount his services on behalf of their land,
and ‘‘ glorify God in him.”

It will be remembered that the character of this
volume necessarily excludes any general reference to
the various societies having missionary operations in
Africa ; and, indeed, does not even admit of more

PREFACE.

than a passing allusion, it may be, to some of those
associated with Mr. Comber, and who, with a like-
minded consecration, served the Divine Master.

Amongst his many gifts Mr. Comber had special
skill in epistolary composition. He wrote many
letters, and knew well how to write them. Nearly all
of those inserted have hitherto been unpublished.

The writer begs to acknowledge his indebtedness
especially to Mr. Comber’s father, his brother Percy,
Mr. Rickards, Mrs. Hartland, Mr. Parkinson, the Revs.
H. Wright and D. Gracey, Mr. R. Hodder, and Mrs.
Stanford, without whose assistance the memoir could
not have been written. The records of the Baptist
Missionary Society have also been of invaluable
service.

It is possible that some will lay down this volume
sad at heart on account of the trials and calamities
the Congo Mission has involved, but it is believed
that none familiar with the origin of particular
missions will be disposed to regard the losses sus-
tained as purposeless waste ; rather will they confi-
dently anticipate, as being in the Divine order,
abundant fruitfulness from such self-sacrificing, martyr
devotion.

J. B. M.

CONTENTS.

1 » t

CHAPTER PAGE

I. HIS BOYHOOD, 9

II. HIS COLLEGE LIFE, ....... 20

III. THE children’s SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD, . 3 1

IV. ACCEPTED BY THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY,

AND SENT FORTH TO WESTERN AFRICA, . . 43

V. VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS, . . . . -50

VI. PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR,

CONGO LAND, 66

VII. HIS FIRST RETURN TO ENGLAND, . . . . 8l

VIII. EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS PREVIOUS TO REACH-
ING STANLEY POOL, 89

IX. EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS, CONTINUED, PREVIOUS

TO REACHING STANLEY POOL, . . . . IIO

Vll

CONTENTS,

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

X. LIFE AND LABOURS, MAINLY ON THE UPPER
CONGO,

XI. HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA,

XII. CONCLUSION, ........

PAGE

120

136

I5I

From a Photogra;ph hy\

[Hfessrs. Dehenham Gould-,

THOMAS J. COMBER

THOMAS J. COMBER.

CHAPTER I.

HIS BOYHOOD.

IT was on the 7th of November, 1852, in Clarendon
Street, Camberwell, that Thomas James Comber
was born. His father was by trade a manufac-
turing jeweller. Mr. Comber's family consisted
of five children — Carrie being the eldest ; Tom, as he
was usually called, the second ; the third died in
infancy ; the remaining two being Sidney and Percy.

In the vicinity of Clarendon Street is Denmark
Place, where the Baptist Chapel is situated, which,
at the time of Tom Comber's birth, was the scene of
Dr. Steane's ministry; and which, in later years, was
to acquire further denominational interest through
the labours of Dr. Stanford. Of the church meeting
in this honoured sanctuary, Mr. and Mrs. Comber
were members. The Sunday school in connection
with Denmark Place Chapel was held in Crawford
Street. When Tom was three years old, his parents
removed into this street, to reside in a house next

lO THOMAS J, COMBER.

door but one to the building in which the school met.
The father becoming a teacher, took the child with
him to the infant class, which at that time was con-
ducted by Miss Annie Hatwood, now Mrs. Holmden,
widely known as the translator of Dr. Pressense's
valuable works. It is not easy to determine how
early in life, and to what extent, a child may be
benefited by the influence of his teacher ; but we
may quite believe it was to the decided advantage of
little Tom to be brought, at this tender age, under
the religious training of so gifted and devoted a lady.
We may here observe that the like advantage was
also enjoyed by his sister and two brothers, all four
of whom — surely a most remarkable if not unique
fact in family life — were hereafter to become mission-
aries to the heathen.

Tom was equally fortunate in the influence brought
to bear upon him in the British School, held in the
same building in Crawford Street ; for the school-
master, Mr. Holmes, was a man of high character, as
well as a teacher of more than ordinary ability. As
a schoolboy, Tom displayed commendable diligence,
as may be gathered from the circumstance that, every
morning at eight o’clock, his home lessons would
invariably be presented to one or other of his parents
for inspection, and this with “pleasure more than
pressure.”

The necessities of Mr. Comber’s business did not,
however, permit his son to pursue his school studies
under Mr. Holmes’s tuition beyond the age of twelve.
At that early period in life the boy was required to
enter his father’s workshop, but a thirst for learning
had already been excited, which led him eagerly to
avail himself of every opportunity for the improve-
ment of his mind. In this respect he was much
stimulated and encouraged by Mr. Reginald Hodder,
who, soon after his promotion from Miss Harwood’s
class, became his Sunday - school teacher ; which
relationship existed greatly to Tom’s benefit, for six

HIS BOYHOOD.

years, until, indeed, he had reached the age of four-
teen. His teacher speaks of him “as a bright and
lovable lad.” Mr. Hodder strengthened the attach-
ment between himself and his boys by encouraging
athletic exercises, thus wisely recognising Nature’s
demands for healthy recreation. Often the teacher
and his class would meet in the Addington Square
baths or on the cricket field. “While I had my
class at Camberwell,” says Mr. Hodder, “ I taught
most of the boys to swim. Tom, who was a very
nervous boy, was, however, the first to swim across the
baths. In my last conversation with him he men-
tioned this to me, and said how valuable this know-
ledge had been to him when upon the Congo.”

About this time, when eleven years old, Tom
competed with his fellow-scholars for a prize offered
for the best composed essay, in which competition he
proved successful, the awarder of the prize, Mr. Edwin
Hodder, expressing his opinion that the writer gave
evidence of becoming one day either a teacher or
preacher The feelings of cordiality which sprang up
between teacher and scholar remained in after years.
On his first return from Africa Mr. Comber wrote
thus : —

“ My dear Mr. Hodder, — I have intended com-
ing round to see you to-night, but heard you were at
Birmingham, where I have also been all day to-day.
Knowing you were in the neighbourhood, I should
have come long before this to call upon my old
teacher; but I have been so pressed with meetings
and other work. ... I have been glad to hear you
are well. It is so very long since I have seen you ;
and I look forward so much to once more seeing
such an old friend. — In happy remembrance of
Crawford Street, I remain, your afectionate old class-
boy, Tom Comber.”

Amongst his wedding gifts was a souvenir from

THOMAS J. COMBER.

Mr. Hodder. We insert his acknowledgment as
indicating the ingenuousness of Mr. Comber s nature,
always so strikingly characteristic, as well as showing
the mutual regard and esteem existing between the
donor and recipient.

“ My dear Mr. Hodder, — Please excuse our not
writing before, and accept our thanks for your kind-
ness in sending us the pretty trinkets, which we shall
both greatly value. They made me wear a lavender
tie on my wedding day, or I should have had my
scarf-pin in a cravat ; but Minnie wore her necklet
and locket on the occasion. We both like very much
the presents you sent us ; and it is very pleasant to
me to stumble across my kind old teacher again.
Thank you for your good wishes on behalf of our-
selves and our work. I do trust the Lord will fulfil
all our hopes concerning the future. Let Him pros-
per us as He will ; we just go to do His work.— -
With affectionate regards to you and Mrs. Hodder
from us both, we remain, dear Mr. Hodder, yours
very sincerely, TOM and MINNIE COMBER.”

But to return, circumstances occasioning the retire-
ment of Mr. Hodder, Mr. Rickards succeeded him in
his class. As already stated, Tom was then about
fourteen — an age when, with his frank nature and
previous home training, he was likely to prove
susceptible to the helpful influence of a man like
Mr. Rickards. It will be seen in the correspondence
recorded in the following pages, how immense was
the obligation under which he ever felt his faithful
teacher had placed him.

The reader will be interested in perusing the
following reminiscences kindly supplied by Mr.
Rickards himself, in which amongst other particulars,
the circumstances are fully described that determined
Tom CombePs future career. Before giving these
reminiscences, it may fittingly be observed that years

HIS BOYHOOD.

after the Sunday-school teacher and scholar were
brought into a personal relationship through the
marriage of the latter to the daughter of the former,
the Minnie previously mentioned.

“ When I remember him first,” says Mr. Rickards,
“ he was about fourteen years of age, — a quiet,
thoughtful, attentive lad. I believe he was thoroughly

CRAWFORD STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL.

earnest then in his resolve to know what it was
to be a Christian, and his effort to reach to the
Christian standard. I never had any trouble to get
him to listen. Indeed, the whole class were good
listeners. After a time, I found that two or three of
the most earnest of them were having private prayer-
meetings, in which they were praying for the class

14 THOMAS J. COMBER.

and the school. Of these Tom and his cousin were
the leaders.

“ I then got the class to come to my house once a
fortnight — when we had singing, a ten minutes’ talk
on some good subject, and prayers by the lads them-
selves. In connection with these meetings it was my
habit to impress on them the absolute necessity of
making their prayers real— th^.t they were not to ask
for things which they might fancy were the proper
things to plead for — but only for that which was the
real longing of their hearts. ‘ Mind, if I catch you
saying anything you heard the minister say last
Sunday, or repeat the petitions of a deacon at the
prayer-meeting on Monday, I ’ll stop you at once.’
This was the caution they got from their teacher,
and only once did I have to stop one of the lads for
wandering into meaningless words — and that lad was
nol Comber. The burden of his cry was alway ‘ Lord,
I want to be a missionary — to go into the darkness
and bring Thy light into it — to tell the heathen of
the Saviour who is waiting to help and save them as
He has saved me.’ And sometimes he would speak
of the difficulties in his way, which seemed almost
insurmountable, caused mainly by his lack of early
training. But he always cast them upon the Lord,
and besought Him to make a way for him into the
mission field.

“From what he has told me, I believe his first
conscious day of brightness and gladness, in the sense
of sin forgiven and acceptance by his Saviour, was on
an Easter Sunday morning, when our subject was the
great commission, ‘Go ye into all the world and
preach the Gospel to every creature ! ’ In the course
of that lesson I told them how often I had lamented
my not being a Christian till thirty years of age ; that
had I taken Jesus for my Saviour in my boyhood,
I was sure I should have been a missionary. And
then I appealed to them as my lads — would not one
of them go in my place and stead — stating how glad

HIS BOYHOOD.

I should be if any of them would take this great
purpose into their hearts. Comber has told me more
than once, that there and then he said to himself and
to God that if the Lord would have him as a mission-
ary, he would go. And I believe that there also he
felt the conscious light and love of the Saviour in his
soul. I believe, as far as his purpose and effort were
concerned, he had been a Christian since his child-
hood, but the realisation and joy of it only came to
him in response to his offer of himself to God as His
servant among the heathen.

‘‘During the succeeding months (how many I can-
not recollect) he had to meet with discouragement
from many to whom he mentioned his purpose. He
made me his confidant in all these matters. I gave
him two pieces of advice, on both of which he acted.
The first was ‘ Keep your purpose warm before God
in prayer every day of your life. Let nothing prevent
your talking with Him about it. If He wants you for
a missionary, He will make the way for you.’ The
second was, ‘ If you want to be a missionary, you
must work hard for it. Even God Himself cannot
employ you, if you are not fit for it. These great
positions in God’s army do come to us from heaven,
but they cortie to those who are ready for them.’

“ An incident during his school life may be men-
tioned. It was in connection with a neglected lad
in the Sunday school, who, having behaved himself
badly in more than one class, was threatened with
expulsion. The question was simply expulsion or
would we try him in our class ? This was a question
wLich, as their teacher, I thought it best for the lads
to settle among themselves. When the appeal was
made, they all voted for his reception, Comber being
among the first and most earnest to recommend that
course. It is interesting to know that not long after-
wards, when that poor lad had removed from the
class and the school, he laid hold of the Saviour as
his own, and wrote to his teacher thanking him for

1 6 THOMAS J. COMBER.

the kindness shown in receiving him, and teaching
him, and helping him to know the better things.

Comber’s character was always the same — calm,
quiet, thoughtful, conscientious, laborious and resolute,
with not a particle of combativeness — but just the
character suitable for the work to which he gave his
life.”

In after years, Mr. Comber expressed his confi-
dence, that had it not been for his teacher’s earnest
leading to the Saviour — for his gentle, patient teach-
ing, his forbearance and long-suffering with him in
his foolishness and blindness — he would never have
become a missionary.

For six years Tom continued in his business, not
only gaining the approbation of his father on account
of his diligence, but by the early development of a
spirit of manliness commanding the respect of his
fellow-workmen. From the first, however, there were
indications that he was destined to some other than
a commercial pursuit. In going to and from the
city he might invariably have been seen with a book,
reading it or discussing its contents with his father.
On one occasion, a gentleman who was with him
in an omnibus, observed him intently perusing a
volume. Ascertaining the character of the work, he
became so much interested as to offer the use of his
library, which generous offer was eagerly accepted.
The gentleman was Mr. Franklin Allport, connected
with the church of which the Rev. John Burnett was
formerly pastor — a warm friend of young men, and
one of the earliest Sabbath-school teachers. The
customers upon whom Tom called in the city shops
would often express their surprise at his remembering
so well the matters he had to transact, seeing he
always brought his book with him, and would be
reading it whenever spare moments of waiting
allowed.

Do I ever think of the old days ? ” he asks his

HIS BOYHOOD.

father in one of his African letters. Ah me, yes !
Bow Lane, and that lazy son of yours who used to
loiter along carelessly, linger at all the newspaper
windows when you sent him on errands, and run hard
back to try and regain lost time, and who was so
seldom ‘blown up for it.’ Gracechurch Street, the
Hall, Clerkenwell, the workmen’s train, Bryer’s,
coffee-shops, &c. Dear me ! how different is my life
now ; I wonder if I could fit a brooch pin, or estimate
the weight and value of a diamond now ? ”

Other friends besides Mr. Allport furnished him
with material for reading, and guided him as to his
choice of books ; particularly may be mentioned his
pastor. Dr. Stanford, and Mr. Norton Smith, whose
^counsels and help were of great advantage.

At the age of fifteen he eagerly availed himself of
the facilities for instruction afforded by the evening
classes at Mr. Spurgeon’s college. From his tutors,
Mr. Gracey and Mr. Fergusson, he received much
benefit. His progress, as might be expected, was
satisfactory ; not particularly striking for its brilliancy
or marked by exceptional genius, but real and
uniform. “ His course,” testifies Mr. Gracey,
“ appeared in its very earliest as in its latest stages, a
very even and gradual development of strength by
means of industry and faith. He must have been a
member of my evening class for at least from two to
three years. Here he made his earliest acquaintance
with Latin and Greek ; and had as companions city
missionaries, Sunday-school teachers, street preachers,
young men preparing like himself to enter college,
and those engaged in country missions and other
branches of Christian work. His character even then
seemed so well rounded and balanced that I cannot
point out any one feature as being very prominent
Only this I felt about him, that he meant to advance,
and to advance altogether.”

On one of the important occasions — when Mr
Spurgeon meets the most promising of the students

THOMAS J. COMBER.

of these evening classes — Tom Comber was required
to give an address. His Sunday-school teacher, who
was invited to be present, was deeply impressed with
the intelligence and earnestness of his speech. And
when he closed, as he did, with the recitation of a
piece of poetry that teacher had composed, the
refrain of which was, —

“To leave a poor, dark, sinful world better than I found it,”

he received general acclamation, being highly praised
by Mr. Spurgeon himself.

It was in the year 1868 Thomas Comber publicly
professed his faith in the Saviour by observing the
ordinance of baptism. This New Testament rite
was administered in Denmark Place Chapel by the
Rev. J. T. Wigner ; Dr. Stanford, though present,
feeling unequal to the duty. There can be no
doubt that in this instance, as in so many others,
the godly influence of a Christian mother had much
to do with early decision for Christ ; but it is also
equally certain that through the voice of the Sunday-
school teacher the Lord called His young servant
to the consideration of the claims of missionary
work.

Towards the end of the period of which this chap-
ter treats, from being a scholar he became a very
active teacher in the Sunday school ; and, amongst
other ways in which he sought to serve the Saviour,
his zeal led him, accompanied by a relative, fearlessly
to enter public-houses, that, at bars and in tap-rooms,
he might speak the Word of Life to men who had
sunk low in vice. In tract-distribution and in ragged-
school work he was most devoted.

Thus did Tom Comber pass the years of his youth,
nurtured in the fear of God by pious and loving
parents ; privileged to an exceptional degree by the
instruction and friendship of no ordinary Sunday-
school teachers ; enjoying the goodwill and ministry
of so eminent a pastor as Dr. Stanford ; and availing

HIS BOYHOOD.

himself, as far as his business occupations would
permit, of every opportunity he could seize to fit him-
self for future usefulness.

Before closing this chapter it should be stated that,
in his fourteenth year, he was called to sustain the
heaviest sorrow which boyhood can experience ; his
mother, who for years had been in delicate health,
being removed by death. Her memory he ever felt
he had more than sufficient reason to cherish with
the tenderest affection.

CHAPTER II

HIS COLLEGE LIFE.

Time having confirmed in his own mind the
determination to become, if possible, a mission-
ary, as well as having satisfied others of the
existence of mental and spiritual qualification
for such a vocation, Thomas Comber was advised
by his pastor, Dr. Stanford, and other friends, to seek
admission into the Baptist College in Regent’s Park,
under the presidency of the Rev. Joseph Angus, D.D.
As one of the preliminaries to this admission, he was
required to preach before the church of which he was
a member. It was naturally a trying ordeal ; but
one who was present testifies to the approval with
which his discourse was received, and to the cordiality
with which a recommendation was forwarded to the
College Committee urging his acceptance. His suita-
bility being further satisfactorily ascertained, he entered
the Institution in the year 1871, in his nineteenth year;
being considerably assisted by a fund raised amongst
the members of the Denmark Place congregation, his
old friend Mr. Norton Smith acting as treasurer.

The Divine Providence having thus placed him in
circumstances so favourable to preparation for the

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THOMAS J. COMBER.

work upon which his mind and heart were set,
Thomas Comber prayerfully and diligently made
good use of his advantages. The opinion is some-
times expressed that residence in a college, such as
the one he now entered, is not calculated to deepen
the spiritual life or to increase the Christian devoted-
ness of the student. If by spiritual life and Christian
devotedness be meant sentimental pietism, a religious-
ness which consists largely in the free use of cant
phrases and ostentatious airs, then it may be fully
conceded that college life is not desirable ; but for
the development of a real, manly, strong piety, such
a life may, if the student choose, prove most helpful.
The student course of Thomas Comber might un- *
hesitatingly be cited in correction of the above
mistaken opinion. He certainly did not find the
religious atmosphere of Regent’s Park College detri-
mental to his spiritual fervour ; for his prayerful
habits did not become impaired, nor was his spirit
of consecration diminished. None of his fellow-
students were more ready than he to appreciate a
joke, or to enjoy the recreation of athletic sports ; but
it is also true that, as his college course proceeded, he
not only progressed in his educational studies, but
as well " grew in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The following affectionate testimony bearing upon
his college days, from the Rev. H. Wright, now of
Clifton, probably his most intimate fellow-student,
will be read with much pleasure : —

“He always impressed me as being on a higher
level of consecration than most other men. He had
no doubt as to his devotion to the missionary cause
during the whole of his college course. To become
a missionary was not with him a possible contingency,
but a solemn certainty — precluding the need for
renewed consideration or discussion. His face was
always ‘ steadfastly set ’ towards the work, and it was
‘ a joy set before him/

HIS COLLEGE LIFE. 23

“ In the closer intimacy of later years — on rare
occasions of supremely sacred conversation — he would
express a pained and puzzled, yet respectful surprise
that others were the subject^ of an uncertainty and
hesitation he never felt, and were not under the same
sweet constraint with himself. And yet he could
keenly discriminate between a missionary enthusiasm
inspired — as I well remember in another by the life of
David Brainerd — and that inspired by a distinct sense
of missionary call. He hesitated not to assure me that
the latter only was reliable and likely to be^^ermanent.

“ His devotion to religious work in student days
is well known, especially to the weekly children’s
service at Camden Road. But the measure of his
ardour in that service, and his special concern and
endeavour for the conversion and consecration of
every child’s heart to the Saviour, are only known to
those who knew him well. I have known him return
from medical study at University College utterly
wearied, sometimes too much so to eat ; then away
to Camden Road ; and, after the service, return to the
college to write letters of affectionate and earnest
appeal to one and another, whom he had reason to
believe, from personal conversation, were under
religious impression. And the time thus expended
up to midnight would be compensated by early study
on the following morning.

His tenacity of purpose and buoyant hopefulness
and power of concentration were very marked. He
could turn from one occupation to another, and on
each successively concentrate without distraction all
his energy. His whole soul went alike into either
recreation or work. On one occasion I was with
him at a Christmas dinner, provided entirely by
his exertions for some scores of waifs and strays,
gathered by the aid of some city missionaries in
Shoreditch. The abandoned joy with which he
helped to feast the hungry ‘ robins,’ and the hilarious
delight with which he shared the subsequent frolic,

24 THOMAS J. COMBER.

and the tender seriousness with which he, when all
were still, spoke of the Saviour, and commended
Him as the Friend of starving souls, I can never
forget. He had a true missionary’s love for the lost.
He was always seeking souls.

“ I think the strain pf the serious life was relieved
by the deep vein of humour he possessed. Though
he never made jest of sacred things, he was quick to
see the ludicrous and enjoyed it. His assumed gravity,
when drawing others into a share of the fun, was
made to appear very whimsical by the dancing mirth
in the laughing eye, which would not be controlled.
But none ever had to complain of his humour. His
heart was too kind to be a quiver for arrows of
sarcasm or scorn ; and if another, less noble, ever
wounded him, he could accept it without retaliation ;
and though he might privately offer reasonable
remonstrance, he never exhibited resentment, nor
became alienated from his friend. His piety passed
uninjured through the test of college life. No duty
robbed him of seasons of protracted prayer. Inti-
mate associates not only know how much he prayed,
but they can testify to it. In the study, however
weary, during the holiday, however alluring the
society, in the tent, encamped by the Thames with
beach boys and friends, nothing deprived him of
prayer. He habitually walked and talked wdth God.
He was entirely without vanity. He never boasted
nor fished for compliments, nor affected the humility
which thinly covers pride. He always showed that
unconscious simplicity which won the confidence and
respect of all. I am sure that through his college
days he made not a single enemy, but secured the
affection of all ; and when the ship which bore him
to Africa was weighing anchor, his fellow-students
suspended study to gather together, and for an hour,
affection for him and faith in God were blended in
one expression, as we commended him to God and to
the word of His grace.”

HIS COLLEGE LIFE.

The warm affection and spiritual solicitude Tom
Comber felt for his brothers, Sidney and Percy, form
a beautiful feature in his character. And there is no
doubt but that to his influence should mainly be
referred their decision for Christ, and their consecra-
tion to missionary work. Many were the letters of
tender love that passed between the brothers. We
insert here, as having been written from college, two
of these epistles addressed to his youngest brother
Percy when about the age of fourteen : —

“ My dear Brother, — I have not forgotten that
to-morrow is your birthday ; I thought of it the first
thing this morning, and you may be sure I did not
forget you in prayer to ‘ Our Father.’ I very earnestly
wish you many happy returns of the day, and hope
that with you each year may be better, truer, happier
than the last.

“ I often feel, Percy, that I should like to see more
of you. I so seldom come home, as almost nine
Sundays out of ten I go somewhere to preach, and
during the week I am so busy that I feel I ought to
work all night long ; and so — as I can so seldom get
a sight of you — I want to propose that you write to
me every week regularly, and I will write to you as
often. It will help you in spelling, writing, and
composition, and I hope will be helpful to you spirit-
ually. Sid used to do so every Monday evening, but
he now is coming to see me every week instead.
Suppose you choose an evening when you can best
spare an hour, and devote it regularly to writing to
me. Show this to ma (his stepmother), and tell her
what I say; P will pay for postage, and I am sure
she will give you paper and envelopes. I enclose a
stamp to begin with, and shall expect a letter from
you before a week is over. I have got a little pocket
dictionary here for you, which Sid can bear to you
when he comes to see me next.

“ I have often wished, my dear Percy, that you

THOMAS J. COMBER.

could come to our children’s services. They are so
good, so well attended, so happy and useful. (I wish
we lived nearer together.) We are just forming a
young Christian’s band. There are about twelve
who can truly answer ‘ yes ’ to the following questions
— ‘Do you love Jesus? Are you trusting in Jesus as
your own precious Saviour? Will you try by the
help of Jesus to keep from anything that is sinful?
Will you try to be more like Jesus every day? Will
you try to work for Jesus?’ And when they have
well thought over and prayed over these questions,
and can truly from the heart answer ‘yes’ to each,
we admit them into a band of young Christians.

“ Now, although you cannot come to any of our
services, yet I should like you to be admitted into
our band ; and I have felt at times that you could
from your heart answer ‘ ‘ yes ’ to all the above
questions. Do you know, Percy, I think that you
have often given your heart to Jesus, but have per-
haps taken it away again. Now, I want you to give
it again, and let Jesus keep it. Jesus told His
disciples to continue in His love, to keep loving Him,
and following Him ; now, we can’t keep ourselves^ we
are so weak ; but, if we Jesus will keep us. Jude
said, ‘ Now unto Him who is able to keep us from
falling,’ and David said, ‘Wilt Thou not keep my
feet from falling?’ So we may feel that though we
cannot keep ourselves Christians, yet Jesus is able
and willing to keep us.

''Now, as to these questions, and to our first
becoming Christians, I want you to see clearly what
a Christian is. If a man can say, ‘ I believe that
Jesus died on the cross to save me (from the punish-
ment of my sin, and from the sin itself), and so I
mean to love Him as much as ever I can,’ — if a man
can say this and mean it, he is a Christian.

“ A Christian does not hope or think he is saved, he
is sure of it. Why? Because Jesus said (through
Paul), ‘ Believe on the Lord, and you — may ? no ! —

HIS COLLEGE LIFE.

SHALL be saved/ A Christian does not hope or think
that heaven is his home, he is sure of it. Why?
Because Jesus said, ‘He that believeth on Me hath
everlasting life/

“A little girl wrote me a letter the other day in
which she said, ‘I do not hope or think that Christ
died for me, I am SURE of it ; because Christ died for
sinners, and I am a sinner.’ And so, my dear brother,
directly we believe that Jesus died in our place, for
us, then we are sure that we are saved.

“Now I want you to keep the paper of questions
enclosed, and earnestly think and pray over them
until you can answer them. I know you want to be
a Christian, you want to be saved, you want to go to
heaven, and you do feel that you love Jesus, although
not so much as you wish to do and hope to do.

“ I pray for you and for dear Sidney every day,
and I do hope that you will grow up earnest, useful
Christians.

“ I have a birthday present here for you, but it is
too large to come to you by post, so tell Sidney to
come and see me on Friday evening (Thursday I am
engaged out of doors).

“Love to father, ma, and Pussy, and love to and
prayers for you, my dear brother. — Your affectionate
brother, TOM.”

“My DEAR Percy, — I have been going to write
to you day after day, and at last I am able to do so.
I was so glad to have your letter, and I want us to
write to one another as often as we can. I won’t keep
you waiting so long again.

“ I am going to give a lecture on Africa with
dissolving views to-morrow evening. I wonder if
anyhow you could manage to come, if your master
would let you leave early. I have sent a ticket
in case. It begins at seven o’clock, and you
would have to leave rather early, and take a ticket
from Peckham Rye to Camden Road — return ; and

28 THOMAS J. COMBER.

the school is ten minutes’ walk from the station,
up the hill, and on the same side, behind a large
chapel. If you come, I will pay you back for
riding. I think Sidney will be there. If you don’t
cdme, send me a line on post-card enclosed, telling
me the name of your ‘third,’ and whether he is a
Christian now or not. I suppose that, from what you
say, he has wandered from Christ. I do hope, dear
Percy, that you are proving in your actions, whether
before others, or whether privately in the presence
of God only, proving that you are one of Christ’s
followers. I am glad indeed that you can answer
those questions by ‘yes’; and I want you to
remember that in them is a resolve : I zvill try to
please Christ Your conscience tells you, dear Percy,
when you are doing this. Renew the resolve every
day, remember it always, and very often promise the
Saviour tha^ you will, by His strength, follow Him.
Do not forget to read His Word, and try and find
your food for spiritual life there. — Your affectionate
brother, TOM.”

We have said that Mr. Comber entered as heartily
into a joke as did any of his fellow-students. His
love of fun would manifest itself in incidents such as
the following : — It is said that on one occasion, when
the practice of total abstinence was not so common
as it is now — most of the students taking ale with
their dinner — he went immediately before the dinner
hour and filled all the glasses on the table with water.
With delicious pleasure he watched the consternation
of the men as they took their seats, and the difficulty
they realised in securing their usual beverage. And
perhaps his pleasure was none the less real, when,
after dinner, revenge was appeased by putting the
culprit under the pump, if thereby his preference for
water might be fully satisfied.

How Mr. Comber looked back upon his college
days may be learned from extracts culled from one

HIS COLLEGE LIFE.

of his letters to his old friend Mr. Wright, written
from Africa : —

“ R. P. C. is a place with many happy memories.
My thoughts go back with longing to days passed
there, and linger over many a scene at dear old
coll. About the pleasantest recollections are our
after-supper reunions, our cocoa and chats till 12.0
or 2.0 over the fire, alternately in ‘ the centre
and down east’ It is all ordinary to you still,
I suppose, but the terms ‘ east ’ and ‘ centre ’ have a
charming sound to me. Dear old fellow ! How jolly
it all was ! Such days will never be mine again.
Who has that old room of mine ? Don’t I envy him !
How I should like just six more months of college
life ! Wouldn’t I prize it now ! . . . I was greatly
excited over Rob’s (another fellow-student) letter, and
can scarcely describe the mixture of emotions with
which I hear about R. P. C. matters. I ’ll just send a
line to Rob — dear fellow !

‘ Fond Memory !

When all things fail we fly to thee.

And bid thee bring us back the years,

The friends, the scenes we love so well,

E’en our sorrows. Time endears ;

Breathe upon us thy loving spell.’

So we used to sing at Camden Road, but not till
I came here did I feel the power of the words.”

The concluding sentiments of this letter are too
fine to withhold : —

‘‘ I linger over this letter somehow, and were it not
for other letters, I daresay I should go on and on, but
I must stop.

“Your face is as distinct as possible, and I almost
feel the grasp of your hand, and I can scarcely see to
write, as I think of the distance between us, and of
how long it will be before we meet again. But in
thought and in prayer you are near to me. I feel
proud and happy in having your friendship, which
I know has done me good. I can appreciate the

30 THOMAS J. COMBER.

fulness and depth of your sympathy with me away
here. I shall never forget your kindly, affectionate
words at Camden Road on that farewell night ; they
were almost too much for me, but showed me the
depth of your nature and feelings. I shall watch
your career with closest, most earnest, sympathising
attention, and look forward with happy, bright
thoughts at the prospect of seeing your face, and
hearing your voice again. Meanwhile, ‘the Lord
bless thee and keep thee, the Lord make His face to
shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the Lord
lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee
peace."

“ P.S, — I scarcely like to send this wretchedly dis-
jointed letter. I am ashamed of it as an R. R C.
man, but composition is quite a labour on the West
Coast.'"

In one of his early African letters to his old
Sunday-school teacher he wrote: “Those five years
of college life, to one so slow to learn as I, were quite
needed ; and above classics, theology, and other
subjects, I have learnt something of myself, and
I feel now more grateful for this than for anything
else — that the Lord has not allowed me to go to a.
work like this in entire ignorance of my own nature
and disposition, with eyes unopened to my weak-
nesses. I only wonder at my being so slow to learn,
and at the patience of my teachers, who, in spite of
foolishness and obstinacy, have not given me up as a
bad job. I wonder how I have so many friends ;
I wonder how I got into college ; I feel that if I were
a member of a college committee, and a candidate
like myself were to come before me, I should refuse
him directly. However, it makes me feel sure that
these important steps of mine have been guided by
the Lord.'"

CHAPTER III.

THE children's SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD.

Reference was made in the letters recorded
in the previous chapters to the children's
services connected with the Camden Road
Chapel, the scene for so many years of the
ministry of the Rev. F. Tucker, B.A. Those who
attended these services, or were interested in them,
would think any memoir of Mr. Comber most
defective which did not give them prominent men-
tion ; for it was he who originated, and for a con-
siderable time conducted them.

Mr. Comber's natural fondness for children, to-
gether with his remarkable gift for interesting and
instructing them, made him thoroughly at home in
their presence. Their tender hearts were not slow to
respond to the influence of such a teacher and friend.
Over many of the members of the class he gained an
influence which resulted in their highest spiritual
good ; and not a few are living to-day, whose Christ-
ian character and life bear unquestionable testimony
to the real usefulness of his labours on their behalf.

It was on a Wednesday evening, the nth of
November, 1874, that the first of these meetings was

THOMAS J. COMBER.

held, and it was a decided success, for Mr. Comber had
fortunately gained beforehand the ready sympathy of
the Sunday-school teachers, who had promised to be
present themselves, and to induce as many of their
scholars as they could to attend. During two years,
until he left for Africa, he was invariably to be found,
week by week, on a Wednesday evening at this
service. He commenced, in connection with it, a boy's
prayer-meeting, a class for inquirers, and a girl's
missionary working party ; this last being started for
the purpose of making clothes for native children in
Africa, and to help to support a native boy, who
should be his personal attendant, and who was to be
called Camden Road." The following letters, one
written to the class generally, and the other to an
individual member of it, will show how earnest Mr.
Comber was in seeking the spiritual welfare of the
children, and how admirably adapted he was to engage
in such important, and by no means easy Christian
work

“ My dear Friends, — Earnestly and affection-
ately do I wish you all a very happy New Year.

“In looking back over the year 1875, I think that
we have great reason for thankfulness in connection
with our Wednesday evening services. Perhaps you
remember times when you have found the meetings
to be very pleasant, and have really enjoyed them.
This has been because the Saviour has been there,
and you have felt His presence, and I daresay have
heard His voice speaking to you lovingly and
earnestly. So no wonder the meetings have been
sweet and precious. But, perhaps, as you think of the
services of the past year, you have a far greater reason
for joy and gratitude, because you have found Jesus as
your Saviour; He has forgiven your sins, and you can
now say, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I am one of
His lambs.' Indeed, you should rejoice and be glad.

“And now 1875 has gone, and we are just begin-

THE children’s SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD. 33

ning a fresh year. I -want you, with me, to give your-
selves solemnly to Jesus for the year 1876. Tell
Him that you will try not so often to forget Him ;
and ask Him to help you to love Him, and to love
one another more ; to be more like Jesus every day ;
so that this year may be far better than the last.

‘‘ But perhaps you have not yet given your hearts to
Jesus. He has sent you many invitations, — -perhaps
hundreds ; but you have not accepted them. This
letter is another invitation. All I ask you to do is to
trust in Jesus as your Saviour, and to resolve that
you will try to follow Him. Remember this is some-
thing you can do. Oh, I do very earnestly ask you
to decide now !

“ I do not know when I shall have to say ‘ good-
bye ’ to you. I may start for Africa in February, or
it may be July. Oh, how it would encourage me for
my work there if all your hearts were given to Jesus !
You all know that this is what I want. And this is
the only way in which you can have a happy New
Year. — Your affectionate friend, T. J. COMBER.”

“ My DEAR May, — I am so glad to see your face
again at the meeting, it seems a very long time since
you and Emmie were there, but now I hope you will
both be able to come out all through the winter
services, if weather permits.

‘‘ Didn’t we have a nice meeting to-night with Mr.
Wigner? I am sure that many of those who stayed
really wanted to love the Saviour, and to enter into
His fold. Oh, do pray for these services, dear May,
that all the children who come may give their hearts
to Jesus, and be the Saviour’s lambs.

“ As to those questions I spoke to you about, we
shall not form that young Christian’s band which we
intended, and so shall not give out the question
papers, but I will put them down here, and you
can answer them earnestly to yourself and to the
Saviour.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

“ I feel sure, May, that you can answer ‘yes ’ to all
these questions, and that you are one of the Saviour’s
lambs ; and I do hope that you will love Him more
and more every day, and find out more and more
what a precious, dear Saviour He is.

“ Give my love to Emmie and to Gertrude. I hope
to see them soon, and that they are trying to follow
Jesus. I meant to have written to you all three
while you were at Bournemouth, but I was so busy.
I should like to know what you did there, and
whether you met together for prayer. I should be so
very glad to have letters from you all three ; I have
so much to do that I cannot write to you all.

“ Do not forget to pray for our meetings, and also,
will you ask the Saviour to greatly bless some
meetings we are going to hold at Southend to-morrow
and Friday? — Your affectionate friend,

“ T. J. Comber.”

It was at Camden Road that Mr. Comber was
brought into association with John Hartland, in
whom he indeed found a kindred spirit, one who like
himself had strong desires for a missionary life. A
friendship rapidly sprang up between the two young
men, — a friendship hereafter to deepen into the
affection of a Christian brotherhood as tender as it
was strong. Succeeding pages will show the strength
of the fraternal tie which bound the two together in
mutual esteem and love. In John Hartland, Tom
Comber found a willing helper at the children’s
services ; and when the time came for the latter to
depart for Africa, it was to John Hartland he
intrusted his precious work. It is fitting that here, in
this connection, we should refer to the services which
were held when he bade farewell to his youthful
charges, as well as present our readers with specimens
of the letters in which he assured them of his
continued and unflagging interest, though by so doing
we somewhat anticipate our narrative.

THE children’s SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD. 35

“Now the time had come,” says Mrs. Hartland, the
mother of John, “when the faithful leader of the
children was called to other work. It was a sore
trial to him and them, for he had so entirely won the
hearts of his little flock.”

On Wednesday, October 25th, 1876, a Social Tea
Meeting was held to take leave of him. More than
a hundred children were there with their teachers.
After tea, Mr. Comber showed them some articles
from his outfit, — compass, helmet, hammock, &c.

A testimonial had been prepared written on
parchment, as follows ; —

TESTIMONIAL

PRESENTED TO THE

REV. THOMAS J. COMBER,

The Children and Friends connected with the Camden Road
Children’s Service, in happy and affectionate remembrance of
many pleasant services, and as a token of their hearty apprecia-
tion of his loving and Christian labour among them. Praying
that God will still be with him, and abundantly bless him, and
grant him great success in the work on which he is about to
enter among the natives of Western Africa.

“ The Lord bless thee and keep thee :

The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious
to thee :

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee
peace.”

This was signed by the children, and Mr. Hartland
had the pleasure of presenting it to him in their name,
■together with a magic-lantern for which they had
subscribed.

Mr. Comber was deeply affected by this expression
of their love, and received their gifts joyfully, promis-

3<5

THOMAS J. COMBER.

ing that he would not part with the testimonial as
long as he lived, and heartily thanking them for both
testimonial and lantern. He then spoke a few words
to them about Africa, the land to which he was going.

Wednesday, ist of November, was his last service.
Mr. Bishop came early and brought his magic-lantern
to show the children the slides which the teachers
of the Sunday school had given to Mr. Comber.
Mr. Wright, from Regents Park College, gave an
address to the children from the words, “ Sorrowing
most of all for the words that he spake, that they
should see his face no more,” applying them to their
leader leaving them, earnestly asking those who were
not decided for Christ to give their hearts to Him
then, and thus send their beloved friend away
rejoicing.

Mr. Comber then took the remainder of the service,
speaking from the text, ‘‘Now, then, fear the Lord,
and serve Him in sincerity and truth,” encouraging
them by looking back, and exhorting them to “ go
on,” asking their prayers, and concluding with an
earnest appeal to all.

After the general meeting, at which there were a
great number, there was a meeting of the teachers of
the classes connected with the service ; they sang
the third verse of “Safe in the arms of Jesus.”
John Hartland offered prayer. Mr. Comber said a
few earnest, encouraging words, and then commended
himself and his fellow-labourers in the school to the
care of their Father in heaven, closing with the
benediction. So ended the last service of their
beloved and prayerful leader, Mr. Comber, amongst
the children.

His faithful, loving words and noble life have never
been forgotten by them ; his name has ever been green
in their memories.

Nor did he ever forget them. In after years, look-
ing back to the time when he and his beloved
colleague worked together “ hand in hand ” for the

THE children’s SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD. 37

children of Camden Road, he often referred to it as
one of the happiest periods of his life.”

At the moment of departure, whilst waiting for his
cab, Mr. Comber scribbled a hurried note to his friend,
John Hartland, in which he says, “Tell those children
on Wednesday evening how much I feel leaving
them, how dearly I should like to see their faces

JOHN HARTLAND.

again. God bless them.” And when he reached
Liverpool, he wrote more at length : —

“ Oh, I felt so lonely last night coming from
Sheffield to Liverpool, and I took out some of the
photographs of the dear little ones at Camden Road,
and thought of and prayed for them one by one ; it
was the next best to seeing their faces. And when
I thought over the loving wishes they had expressed
in their letters, and the assurances in so many of them

$8 THOMAS J. COMBER.

that they would try to follow the Saviour, that they
would pray for me when I was far away, I was
greatly cheered and strengthened.

“ The Lord bless you especially at the services ;
the Lord make you feel very happy and at home in
the work ; the Lord touch the hearts of the children
continually, and as a skilled musician draw out
heavenly music from them.

Give my love to the dear children on Wednesday
next. Tell them it is as hard for me to part from
them as it is from anything or anyone else ; that
I shall think of and pray for them very much,
especially on Wednesday evenings ; that I shall
always meet with them, and though they don’t see
my form at the desk, yet I shall be there in thought
and heart. I hope they will all continue their attend-
ance at the service, and be greatly blessed by Him
whose delight it is to bless children. I will write a
letter to them from Madeira — the first place we stay
at. Thank them all for the letters they have written
to me, which show me how much they love me, and
all the good success they wish me. I shall have so
very much to do that I shan’t be able to write
separately to them, although I should much like to
do so ; but I shall be rejoiced to hear from them
separately, if they will write to me, telling me exactly
what they feel about their love to Jesus, as that is
what I most wish to know about. I should like to
have the photographs of those who have not given
them to me. If they put their letters together,
several of them might go in one envelope, with a six-
penny stamp, written on thin paper, and addressed
Mr. Comber, Victoria, Cameroons, West Africa.
Will you give them each next Wednesday a copy of
‘ The Story of Billy Bray ’ (published at the Wesleyan
Conference Office, Paternoster Row). I would also
like it to be given to Belle Isle if you would ask Mr.
Johnstone to do so for me. I think two hundred will
be quite sufficient (P 0.0. for twelve shillings en-

THE children's SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD. 39

closed), I shall try to send a letter to Lucy
Harrison in this. I think her address is 63 Falk-
land Road ; Miss Emma Keen can tell you. I have
written to Alice Smith."

The promised letter from Madeira duly arrived, and
is inserted appropriately here as a sample of the many
admirable epistles he afterwards wrote, not only to
the children at Camden Road, but also to Sunday
schools generally, some of which have appeared in
the Juvenile Missionary Herald^ greatly to the delight
of the youthful readers of that magazine. It is not
every one who can write or speak so as really to
interest and profit the young. Mr. Comber in a
remarkable degree possessed this rare gift. The
letter to his young friends now given, as well as
those already inserted, will abundantly justify this
opinion : —

‘‘My DEAR Friends, — This is the third time I have
tried to write a letter to you since I have been on
board. On the two former occasions, the pitching
and rolling of the vessel, added to an aching head,
compelled me to give up. We are now, however,
comparatively quiet, being sheltered from a heavy
gale that is blowing all around us.

“We have come more than a thousand miles by
water, and it does seem so far away from home. The
ship started from Liverpool rather later than was
expected, — on Sunday morning, at eleven o'clock.
And just about the time Mr. Tucker was giving out
the first hymn in chapel, the order was given to ‘ let
go/ and we steamed off.

“ Our Sunday on board was far different from yours
at Camden Road. All was noise and bustle here,
putting the cargo in order, and preparing to meet the
‘ troubled sea.' We should like to have held a
service on board, but there was no opportunity ; but,
in the afternoon, Mr. Thomson and I went into his
cabin together, and asked God to help us on the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

voyage and bring us safely to West Africa, and we
did not forget to ask Him to watch over and bless
you all in England. And every day, unless either of
us is unwell, we kneel together for the same purpose.

“ Perhaps some of you think that you would rather
like a sea voyage, say, for a few days or a week, but
I think you would get tired of it much sooner than
that. We came down the Irish Channel, passed the
Great Orme’s Head and Point Lynas in Wales, and
so on, until at about two o’clock on Monday morning
we passed the last point visible in dear old England ;
and when we were told that, leaving home seemed
sadly real. All day Sunday and Monday we had
nice smooth water, but it was a little rougher on
Tuesday and Wednesday, as we were passing the
Bay of Biscay. The after-part of Wednesday was
very pleasant, and I went on deck and sat back in
one of the seats, and thought about you all at
Camden Road, knowing that it was just about the
time you would be having the service ; and I won-
dered what hymns you would have, and much enjoyed
singing over to myself some of our beautiful hymns —

" There ’s a Friend for Little Children,’ ‘ Saviour, like
a Shepherd lead us,’ ‘ Come to the Saviour,’ especially
entering into and feeling the chorus —

‘ Joyful, joyful, will the meeting be,

When from sin our hearts are pure and free,

And we shall gather, Saviour, with Thee,

In our eternal home.’

I remembered many of you by name, asking that
you might earnestly heed and try to follow the loving
words of your friend, Mr. Hartland, whom God has
now called to be your leader.

“You all remember the time when the children of
Israel lost one lea^der (Moses), and had another given
them (Joshua). Joshua led them on to many victories,
they overcame all their enemies, and were led
victoriously into the land of Canaan ; they entered

THE children’s SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD. 4I

into the kingdom God had given them. So, dear
children, there is a kingdom into which we enter
directly we take Jesus as our King and Saviour.
God sent me, like Moses, to lead you into it. Some
of you have entered into the promised land, and
can sing happily —

* Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him.’

“ But there are others who are not there yet. Oh,
that Mr. Hartland may, like Joshua, lead many of
you into that dear kingdom ; and then, if we never
see each other again on earth, we (the children of the
King) shall all meet in His palace, and " see the King
in His beauty.’ Oh, I feel as if it would be bitter
sorrow for me if some of you, whom I love so much,
and for whom I have prayed so often, should be
absent when He gathers ‘ the gems of His kingdom.’

‘ All the pure ones, all the bright ones
His loved and His own.’

Only ^ His own^ dear children, if you give your hearts
to Him and try to follow Hitn.

“ Well, I must finish this long letter, and I will do
so by telling you what our position now suggested to
me. Here we are, in the middle of a stormy, angry
sea. As I write, the wind is howling terribly. There
are many vessels out in the open sea in great, sore
danger ; there are some wrecked, over which the sea
is dashing, exulting in its victory ; perhaps, as I
write, there is one dashing on to the rocks (O God,
gracious God, save the people in them ! Many of
them, perhaps, are not prepared to die). And yet,
with all this going on around us, we are safe where
we are, sheltered by a great rock. If we leave the
rock we are at the mercy of the storm. Whom does
the rock remind us of? The great, the only rock of
safety — Jesus Christ. Oh, that each one of you may
offer David’s prayer, ‘ Lead me to the Rock that is
higher than L’ If you are under the shelter of the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

rock Jesus, you are safe; if not, you are at the
mercy of the storms, which will prevent you from
reaching the ‘ desired haven ’ — heaven.

“ Some of you feel a little uneasy and restless
when you think of death, — of your having to go to
God’s judrgment seat You don’t like to think of it
Well, you are quite safe if you are under the shelter
of the Rock. Oh ! come to the rock Jesus, each one
of you ; take Him as your Saviour, begin to follow
Him as your Shepherd ; and then we shall all meet
safely in the place where there is no more sea. And
if you are sheltered beneath the Rock, don’t leave it,
keep close to it, or else you will not be safe.

I must now say ‘ good-bye.’ I will write again
when I get to Africa. May God take each one of
you into His arms and bless you is the earnest
prayer of your affectionate friend, T. J. COMBER.”

CHAPTER IV.

ACCEPTED BY THE BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
AND SENT FORTH TO WESTERN AFRICA.

Although Mr. comber entered the College
in RegenPs Park with the most settled pur-
pose to become a missionary, and a missionary
to Africa, the application to the Society with
which he desired to be identified could not be
entertained until near the close of his collegiate
course. And when at length he appeared before the
missionary sub-committee, probably not one of its
members was very deeply impressed with the excep-
tional fitness, the remarkable qualities of the can-
didate. His devotion was readily recognised, his
abilities and attainments were acknowledged, his
natural disposition was approved ; but who sitting on
that Board had the faintest idea that the young man
upon whose merits they were called to adjudicate
would so soon — in the course of a very few years —
prove himself worthy to be classed amongst the
heroes of the mission field? Circumstances, actual
contact with the difficulties and demands of the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

work itself, could alone develop, and so reveal, his
unsuspected capabilities and hidden resources.

Though accepted by the Baptist Missionary Society
in 1875? Mr. Comber was detained in this country
for about twelve months, to take a yearns training in
medicine and surgery. This proved greatly to the
advantage of his future work. In the October,
however, of 1875, the year of his acceptance, he and
three other young brethren — viz., Mr. H. Tucker,
Mr. R. E. Gammon and Dr. W. Carey, were publicly
designated to their respective spheres of missionary
toil. The deeply interesting service was held at
Plymouth, and will be remembered especially, by
those who were present, for the powerful and solemn
address with which Dr. Brock admonished and
encouraged the missionaries-elect. It was the last
public utterance of that honoured servant of God,
and he spoke as if he had already received the
summons to enter the presence of his Lord.

Mr. Comber’s departure for Africa being delayed
by his year’s hospital training, a further valedictory
service was arranged by his friends at Camden Road
Chapel. This took place on the evening immediately
following the one referred to in the previous chapter,
at which he bade farewell to the children. The date
was the 2nd of November, 1876. The Rev. Francis
Tucker, B.A., presided. The Rev. Clement Bailache
from the Mission House gave an address ; and Mr.
F. E. Tucker represented the Sunday schools. Mr.
Comber closed his speech by quoting the well-known
lines from his favourite poet, Tennyson, beginning: —

“ More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of.”

■f

Two days after, Mr. Comber sailed from Liverpool
in the S.S. Ethiopia for the land of his adoption, in
the company of the Rev. W. Q. Thomson, who was
returning after a season of rest. In what frame of
mind he took his departure, may be gathered from

ACCEPTED BY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 45

the sentiments he expressed to his dear friend, John
Hartland : —

“ I feel stronger than ever ; I feel calm, trusting in
the power, guidance and blessing of the living God,
who has called me to make a sacrifice that He will
make up to me ; and now my one prayer is, not for
guidance, encouragement and resignation — these I
have no fear of — but for grace to live the highest,
noblest life, to live very close to Him in prayer, to
realise spiritual things, to have more the spirit of
Jesus. Hartland, my dear fellow, pray for me in this.

“ I am so utterly unworthy of this post of honour,
my heart is often so cold and lifeless ; I want to glow
with love to Jesus. I want to commune more with
Him, and to realise His promises ; I want to love
His Word, to love prayer more.

“ I am thankful that I have never had a thought of
turning back ; forward, upward, heavenward, eagerly
pressing on, striving to do, be, what He would have
me.

The voyage was long, occupying no less than forty-
one days, being completed on the 5th of December.
From communications describing the incidents and
experiences of the voyage, a few extracts may be
culled

“ On Sunday afternoon we snapped the last con-
necting link with dear old England, by letting the
pilot go. I daresay you can imagine I soon got
home-sick and felt desolate. Cut away from so much
dear and congenial society, for the first time I entered
into the full meaning of ‘ There ^s no place like
home.’ ” In the letter to the Camden Road children
the terrible storm experienced before reaching
Madeira has been vividly described. Had the
Ethiopia proceeded a few miles farther on her voyage,
it is most probable she would have suffered the fate
which overtook the other vessels. Such a storm at
Madeira had never been remembered. “The cable
between Lisbon and Madeira snapped, so we could not

THOMAS J. COMBER.

be telegraphed to Liverpool. However, we have come
safely through the danger without a rope injured,
and, I hope, feel grateful for our preservation.”

“ I sometimes go up on deck at two or three A.M.,
and enjoy the clear, beautifully ‘ starry dome’ (N.B.
Mathams !). On one of these occasions, the mate on
the watch said my conscience must be troubling me
as I couldn’t sleep, and wanted to know if I ’d paid
my washing bill before starting. Yesterday we
saw the ‘mirage’ to perfection — a facsimile of the
coast line, very deceptive ; the captain says he has
sometimes fired a gun to attract the attention of a
ship which was only an optical delusion. It is a sign
that the air is very rarified. The tropical sky was
delightful last night. We had a service on board
yesterday morning, conducted by Mr. Thomson ;
nearly all the passengers came to it.” Referring to
the propensity of the inhabitants of Madeira for
fleecing, Mr. Comber humorously remarks : ‘‘ They will
ask four dollars for a chair, and take a dollar at last ;
they will charge you a shilling or two shillings to take
you ashore, and when you want to return, and your
vessel is about to go, they refuse to take you for less
than twenty or even forty shillings. They are great
beggars, and if you ask a question of them, they
always expect to be paid for answering it. Madeira
seems full of great lazy fellows, who get their living
by preying on visitors. I was wild with one fellow.
I knew I was close to the post office, and I wanted to
post some letters. Seeing a man walking along with
some in his hand, I said ‘ post office,’ and showed him
my letters ; he nodded and showed his, and we each
put our letters in the office box, which was in the
next street. He touched his hat and held out
his hand, but I shook my head indignantly and
walked on ; and that fellow followed me for half-an-
hour, I going along at a good four miles an hour, and
he (a small, short-legged man) trotting and shuffling
after me. I dived down streets and lanes, lost my way

ACCEPTED BY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 47

entirely, and at last seeing a very steep hill, I went
sharply to the top, and left him baffled at the bottom,
looking surprised, grieved and injured. It was not
meanness on my part, for I ^d just given a poor
beggar sixpence, but I wanted to teach the rascal a
lesson/^

“ We are now eight days late ; and are continually
calling at little villages on the shore to give out cargo.
Sometimes this operation takes a day or more. A
great deal of this cargo is ‘ Superior Gin,' cases of
brandy, casks of rum, and other civilising, Christian-
ising influences. Drunkenness and the most flagrant
immorality are common on the part of Europeans on
the coast. Many of them confess and try to justify
the most awful things. It is very sad, and a great
drawback to missionary efforts. We went ashore at
Bonny, where is the Ju-ju house or devil house.
Bonny is a filthy place, and the people live in the
greatest dirt and squalor. We went to see King Oko
Jumbo, but fortunately he was not at home ; for the
filthy house he lives in greatly offended one's nostrils,
and I was glad not to have to go in. We were
followed about by a small crowd of admiring
aborigines, and found our way to the Ju-ju house, and
saw the piles and stacks of skulls, the remains of
those who had been put to death by sacrifice. Some
of the skulls were embedded in the clay floor. We
scrambled through one hole in the temple wall, and
thoroughly examined the inside. I pulled out a
double tooth from one of the skulls, just as a memento
of the place. When we got outside and on our way
back, the Ju-ju man or priest came up to us, wanting
to ‘palaver' or talk, as we had invaded his sacred
courts. He courteously invited us to come to terms
for our sacrilege and iconoclasm, and asked us to
‘ dash ' him. Any gift or present is called a ‘ dash '
out here, and the word is equivalent to an English
‘tip.' We accordingly dashed him half-a-dollar, with
which ill-gotten gain he went off greatly pleased.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

“ There was an amusing thing occurred at Calabar.
We went about the . town, and called upon King
Archibong, who was engaged in the kingly occupa-
tion of picking his teeth with a knife. Giving his
knife to the knife-attendant, he called for the snuff-
box attendant, who brought a silver snuff-box, which
was politely handed to us, and as politely refused.
We then went to call on a rich native, named Hen-
schaw Toby, Esq., whose daughter was one of the
king’s wives. His house was very large, many rooms
and several court-yards. One room was furnished
‘ English fashion ’ as Henschaw proudly called it.
We were introduced to one of the Mrs. Toby, very
stout, with just the usual cloth round her loins, sitting
on the floor heavily ringed with brass from the foot
to the knee, and her ankles in consequence sore and
chafed. She was smoking ‘ a churchwarden,’ a long
clay pipe ; and shaking our hands, saluted us by —
' American.’ We said, no, we are English ; but our
guide told us ‘ American ’ was the Calabar for ' glad
to see you.’ We laughed heartily at the joke. Mr.
Toby showed us a group portrait in which he figured.
I pointed out a woman in the group, and said, ‘ And
who is this ? ’ ‘ Oh ! ’ said he, ‘ that there fat woman,’

meaning Mrs. Toby, principal wife.

''We passed the Fan tee and Ashantee country with,
of course, special interest, and came opposite to
Whydah yesterday, where are anchored the Sirius,
Contest, Pioneer, and a few more English and two
French men-of-war, to blockade Dahomey. I read
more of Tennyson than anything else almost, except
African travel. Sometimes any mental exercise is
impossible. Have you read much of Tennyson ?
I feel sure you would like his 'Idylls.’ There are
some of the most beautiful and noble lessons taught
in them. I read them at college, and have specially
now been interested in 'Locksley Hall,’ in which
there are some grand things (though some of them
suit one’s morbid moments). There are two lines

ACCEPTED BY BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 49

especially, every word of which I have felt very
deeply in reference to myself, often —

^Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers, and I linger on the
shore ;

And the individual withers, and the world is more and more.^

What can be bolder, statelier, grander than—

‘Follow the Christ, the King,

Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King,

Else^ wherefore born f ’ ”

Before closing this chapter, an incident must be
recorded which gave Mr. Comber great pleasure. It
was nothing less than an unexpected meeting with
the Rev. Alfred Saker. An accident happening to
her engine, the Ethiopia was under the necessity of
remaining for repairs three days at Sierra Leone.
Just before resuming the voyage a homeward bound
vessel was descried. This was discovered to contain
Mr. Saker. The veteran of thirty-three years, and
the untried, inexperienced, young missionary, were
thus brought together. Very thankful was Mr.
Comber for this delay ; and eagerly did he avail him-
self of the practical hints which ripened wisdom could
so readily impart.

CHAPTER V.

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

The part of Africa on the west coast, where Mr.
Comber began his missionary life, lies in
latitude about 4° N. and longitude 9° E. ; the
agents of the Baptist Missionary Society
having laboured there from as early as the year
1840. The Mission originated in the earnest sym-
pathy of the Christian negroes of Jamaica for their
fatherland, as that sympathy was displayed on the
occasion of their emancipation from slavery. The
celebrated William Knibb was visiting England at
that memorable time, and was charged to urge upon
the Home Committee the claims of Africa. This he
did with his characteristically pathetic eloquence, and
with such effect that interest was excited and pre-
liminary steps were taken, which eventually resulted
in the commencement of missionary operations in the
island of Fernando Po, opposite to the Cameroons
River.

In the year 1843, the devoted missionary mentioned
at the close of the previous chapter, Alfred Saker,
departed for the “Dark Continent,^' there to enter
upon a long period 6f self-denying toil and incalculable

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS. 5 1

usefulness, extending over no less than thirty-three
years. Until the year 1858, the energies of this con-
secrated servant of God were divided between the
claims of Fernando Po and Cameroons, the latter
occupying the larger share. For a knowledge of what
Mr. Saker was enabled to accomplish during those
years ; how he won his way into the confidence and
affection of the natives ; how he introduced amongst
them civilising arts and manners ; how he acquired
their language and gave them the Bible in their own
tongue — for this information our readers must be
referred to other sources.

But, as Mr. Comber entered upon his practical work
as a missionary at Victoria, it will be appropriate, as
well as interesting, if the circumstances which led Mr.
Saker to found the colony be briefly described. The
success attending the efforts of a Protestant Mission-
ary Society in Fernando Po attracted, as was only to
be expected, the notice of the Roman Catholics of
Spain, who were not slow to influence the Spanish
authorities in the island, the result ultimately being
the proclamation of an edict prohibiting every religion
except that of the Church of Rome. Finding the
prohibition was absolute, Mr. Saker resolved to find a
home of freedom for such of the members of his
congregation as might choose to share it with him.
Stimulated by his own love of liberty, and their vows
of fidelity, after the manner of the Pilgrim Fathers, he
went forth on his noble pursuit. The difficulties and
dangers of the exploration would have daunted a less
heroic nature. At length a refuge was found on the
shore in Ambas Bay. That spot commending itself
by its physical features, its facility for harbourage,
its two miles of splendid beach, and especially its
proximity to the great mountain, Cameroons, which
would probably afford a health resort, Mr. Saker
was not long in arriving at a decision. In Ambas
Bay he accordingly determined to settle down, remov-
ing thither such of the Christians in Fernando Po as

5:3 THOMAS J. COMBEk.

desired to worship God after the dictates of their own
conscience.

These were the circumstances in which the colony,
named by Mr. Saker Victoria,” was founded. A
considerable portion of territory along the coast and
inland was duly purchased from King William, the
recognised native ruler ; and in humble dependence
upon God, the work of civilisation and evangelisation
began in right good earnest. Roads were laid out, a
township was planned, huts for the people and a
mission-house and schoolroom were erected.

Here then it was— on a spot where the sacred
rights of liberty had triumphed, a spot which had
become hallowed by years of Christian toil — that
our young missionary began his labours.

His first impressions were most agreeable. “I am
trying,” he wrote to his father a few days after his
arrival, “ to make myself feel at home in my newly
adopted home ; and if the pleasantness of friends and
comfortable surroundings could make it so, I should
not lack anything. I did not expect that my intro-
duction to Africa would be under such favourable
circumstances, but I think it is as well for me to be
broken in gradually to my future rough life, for many
reasons, amongst others for health’s sake ; if I began
bushing it at once I should be down with fever. The
mission-house is occupied at present by Mr. and Mrs.
George Thomson, an independent lady and gentle-
man, who are here I think for a philanthropic object,
although they do not preach or teach except by their
consistent, good, kind life. Mr. T. is a very simple-
hearted, real man, whom no one would like to
displease, of a very truthful, reliant nature. Mrs. T.
is a pretty, energetic, most agreeable, and lady-like
body, simple-hearted like her husband. They were
only married six months ago. He has no special
occupation, except looking after his stores, building
houses and sheds, catching butterflies and beetles,
and thinking about a sanatorium which he intends to

bird’s-eye view of victoria, ambas bay, west AFRICA. {From a Photograph.)

THOMAS J. COMBER.

build pro bono publico, 4000 feet up the mountain. As
far as I can see, he came to Africa out of pure
benevolence. I board at their table, simple Anglo-
African diet.”

Soon after his arrival and before the departure of
Mr. W. Q. Thomson — no relation to Mr. George
Thomson— with his wife to their station, 2000 feet up
the mountain, Mr. Fuller and Mr. Grenfell came from
Cameroons, with the latter of whom Mr. Comber
was hereafter to be brought into closest fellowship.
At this conference of the missionaries, the state of the
work at the various stations was reviewed, and plans
for future movements were discussed. The mission-
aries departing, Mr. Comber was left for a while in
sole charge of the work at Victoria. He felt deeply
the responsibility, but was greatly interested and
much cheered. He preached two or three times
every Sunday, holding various services during the
week, besides treating medically many sick cases.
Here is an outline of one day’s work, a week day : —
Up at six o’clock ; a bathe in the brook close by,
when there always assembled a small crowd of people
to see white man wash.” Cocoa at seven ; reading,
&c., in his room till nine, when he had breakfast ;
eleven o’clock he buried a poor man who had long
been sick in the bush ; twelve until two o’clock, see-
ing sick people ; two o’clock, dinner ; three o’clock, he
married a Bakwellih couple, having a native preacher
as interpreter ; after the marriage ceremony, visiting
people till five, the time for the children’s service ;
tea at six ; and reading until eight, the hour for
family worship, and then early retirement.

As the result of his labours, several came to see
him as inquirers, seekers after Christ ; and some, he
was persuaded, were earnest and sincere. He records
with much thankfulness the case of a woman named
“Johanna,” whom he had visited daily in illness, and
whose little boy came to be called Mr. Comber’s
shadow, because he was always following him about

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

with a tumbler for medicine. Contrary to expecta-
tion she recovered ; and the first Sunday she was at
chapel, the reading of the story of Christ’s sufferings
deeply affected her ; and on the Monday she came
expressing her earnest desire to give her heart to the
Saviour. With much joy the missionary spoke of the
willingness of Christ to receive sinners ; the woman
declared her faith, and resolved to live a Christian
life.

During this early period of his life in Africa, an
incident occurred showing how soon Mr. Comber
began to exercise that influence over the natives which
in his later career was so prominent a feature in
his character, and which so largely contributed to his
success. Let the incident be told in his own words,
as described in a letter to his brother Percy : — I had
a young man brought to see me about a month ago,
from a place called Bimbia. He was very sick, and
almost a skeleton, scarcely ever ate anything, and
was getting thinner every day. As Bimbia was ten
miles away, and he was brought in one of the very
uncomfortable rough native canoes, I asked those who
brought him to leave him at Victoria, promising to do
the best I could for him. This was done, one of them
staying with him. Three days afterwards I was told
that some of his countrymen had come to Victoria
and carried the poor fellow off, and also his friend as
a prisoner ; and if the sick man died, they were going
to kill the other one, as they believed he was guilty
of bewitching him, and causing his illness. Well,
I determined to go off to Bimbia sharp, and do what
I could to prevent such cruelty. So I started in a
native canoe, taking with me a black man named
Nakko as my interpreter, and Billy Edwards to show
me the way back through the forest. When I got
to Bimbia I first went to see King William, a quiet,
well-meaning young man, whose favour I knew I had,
because I had before cured his sister of a painful
disease. I told him what I had heard, and asked if

THOMAS J. COMBER.

it were all true? Yes! it was quite right. Then
I told him my heart was very pained, I was in great
trouble about it, and had come to stop it. I showed
him how foolish and wicked it was, told him if he
allowed it he would have to answer to God for the
blood of the murdered man, told him that as I was a
doctor I knew what was wrong with the man, and
knew he was not bewitched, that there was no such
thing as witchcraft He was convinced, and promised
to try and stop it, but there were several men as
powerful as himself, though he was king, and I must
go and see them. Well, I was successful and glad so
far ; and went next to see Prince William (no relation
to King William). He was a hard-hearted, obstinate
fellow, and we had a long palaver, I sitting down on
a very low stool he gave me in the hut, speaking as
earnestly as possible through my interpreter. God
touched his heart, and he promised. Then there were
Bertram, Money, Bob Dick, and Bimbia Dick ; and
they all received me very kindly, and I got their
consent too. I went home the next morning very
thankful that God had given me influence with these
men. The sick man died about a week after, and no
one was killed.”

But whilst Mr. Comber entered thus heartily into
his labours at Victoria, it was in the interior of the
country he desired to find his permanent work.
Before he left England, through his reading of African
travel, particularly the works of Livingstone, he had
formed a strong opinion of the importance of reach-
ing and living amongst a people uninfluenced by
coast trading. All his previous convictions were now
confirmed by practical experience of coast life. He
assured the Society at home he felt more than ever
that if success and progress in mission work are to be
obtained, and a deeper Christian life and spirit
amongst the converts, such as would lead to acts of
self-denial and lives of consecration, the work must
be with the simple native African, uninfluenced by

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

the evil, harmful examples set by many Europeans
on the coast. He was obliged to recognise as true
many of the charges made against professing native
Christians on the coast: their idleness, self-conceit,
selfishness and worldly policy, though he at the same
time remembered that the same defects might be seen
amongst some professors at home ; but he felt there
would be far fewer temptations and tendencies to the
indulging of such dispositions if there were the simple,
unsophisticated African to work upon.

Actuated by these convictions, he made several slight
incursions to gain a practical knowledge of the interior,
so that he might be able to form his plans for future
work. In April of this year, 1877, he resolved upon a
more extended journey, but was persuaded to defer it
until he had become more thoroughly acclimatised,
and had gained more knowledge of African travelling.
It was suggested that he should take a preliminary
week’s journey to gain some experience in matters
of food arrangement, camping, and management of
men ; and it was thought that if he were to try the
ascent of the Cameroons Mountain, the attempt would
not only afford him the practical knowledge he
required, but would be also serviceable for geographi-
cal purposes, the glimpses that he would obtain
from the various heights showing the character of
the country.

After a successful ascent, Mr. Comber felt himself
fully prepared to undertake what proved to be his first
important journey. He started with seven men, and
Mr. Wilson, belonging to the Mission, as interpreter
and companion. They took provisions for a month,
with goods to buy vegetables, &c., as well as plenty of
tobacco, cloth, knives, spoons, beads, snuff-boxes, bells,
whistles, looking-glasses, caps, shirts, rings, earrings,
and the like, for presents. The direction taken was
round the northern side of the base of the Cameroons
Mountain, as far inland as Balombi-ba-Kotta, through
the Bamboko country. The road was rough in the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

extreme. One of the first places reached was Bomano.
Going to the headman's house, he found a few people,
who, on seeing the visitors, set up a wide-mouthed
howl of laughter, and in great excitement unhooked
the town drum and beat a general call, adding, to make
“ a concord of sweet sounds,” their own voices. A boy
rushed off to tell the headman who was away at his
farm, and soon returned to fetch His Majesty's state
apparel — regimental coat and hat — so that he might
receive his guests in state. In about a couple of hours
the king, whose name was Ilaley-Soko, appeared in
full dress. After shaking hands, and accepting some
snuff, Mr. Comber told him who his party were, that
he was going from town to town through the country
to tell “ God-palaver,” as the preaching of the
Gospel is called. He expressed a wish that they
would go no farther, but put up a house at his place,
and live amongst his people. Mr. Comber replied
that he was God's servant, and that He had sent him
into the country, and therefore he must go ; but that
if God told him to put up a house at Bomano he
would do it, for he had to act as God directed
him. At first the people listened attentively to the
preaching ; but soon laughed heartily at all that was
told them, as if they thought it a good story, but didn't
believe it.

In a village a short distance from Bomano, called
Deeonga, Mr. Comber saw the first idol he had seen
in Africa — the rudest figure of a man, with arms
crossed, and holding some fruit placed as an offering
— the figure being in a little circle of small trees. At
other places he saw the same kind of idol. As far as
he could learn, it was a sort of household tutelary
god, to whom the people did not pray or ascribe
intelligence.

The people at a farther place, called Bosama, mani-
fested great astonishment at being told of the resur-
rection of the dead. On being informed of Mr.
Comber's name^ which they wished to know, they

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

burst into roars of laughter, again and again renewed
(probably because the sound was similar to many of
their native names — Kombi, Koombi, Koombo, &c.).
At Bosama Mr. Comber was able to sleep with more
ease of mind and less apprehension than at Bomano,
but the rats were very troublesome, eating a good bit
of his shoes, and nibbling away at his men’s toes, and
squealing, scratching, scrambling, in the most uproari-
ous style. This part of the journey had been traversed
some time before by Mr. Thomson, but at Mweali the
people had never seen a white man, consequently the
amount of staring Mr. Comber was subjected to was
“something awful,” and, of course, as he remarks,
most embarrassing to a nervous, modest man ; while
eating, there were some fifty or sixty natives watching
every morsel as it went from his plate to his mouth.
At this place; as elsewhere on the route, there was
much displeasure expressed when the intention to
proceed was announced.

At Booba, the limit of the Bamboko country, he
was able to gain some information of Bakundu, the
place he wished particularly to reach. Being told that
it was not very far distant, and could be reached by
dark, he pushed forward with Mr. Wilson as his com-
panion. But the distance was farther than was
expected, and being overtaken by the darkness, they
returned until the men were met coming on with their
loads. A place was chosen for encampment, a fire lit,
which it was difficult to keep blazing all night ; but it
was safe, as it was also safe to keep his rifle by his
side in case any hungry leopard might stray that way.
He was lulled, he says, to sleep, after committing him-
self and his attendants to the care and protection of
his Heavenly Father, by the strange mingling of
nightly sounds in a tropical forest— the whistling of
the grasshoppers, the clack, clack of the huge bats, the
shrill cry of the bush-dog, and all the innumerable
voices of insects unknown.

Early next morning Bakundu was reached, Mr.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

Comber being much impressed with the size of the
place. On going to the headman’s house, the people
gathered in crowds, staring wonderingly and curiously
at the first white man they had ever seen. The houses
were observed to be large and strong, eighty-five being
counted in one street, with many here and there
behind. The population was estimated to be between
looo and 1500. Here, Mr. Comber felt, was indeed
a sphere of labour, all the people to hand, living in
one place. He lifted up his heart to his great Master,
asking Him to show him what to do. Intercourse
with Mosaka, the king, was carried on under diffi-
culty. A Bamboko man, who happened to be at
Bakundu, and who understood the language, inter-
preted for Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson previously inter-
preting to the man what Mr. Comber himself wished to
communicate. Besides the king there were four or
five chief men. It was resolved to have in the evening
a palaver with the king and the chief men in the pres-
ence of the people. At this palaver the advantages
were put before them which it was hoped would result
if a missionary were to come and live amongst them ;
their answer being substantially this — ‘‘ The visitors
had come so unexpectedly into the town ; they were all
frightened, never having seen a white man before ;
still, after the explanations that had been given, they
were glad to see them, and liked the good word that
had been spoken ; and that they would very much
like Mr. Comber to come and live in their town.
Only, they were afraid of Calabar, and they would like
Mr. Comber to come and see them once or twice more
before they finally decided. They felt that the men
were too old to learn book, but they thought it would
be good for their children to learn.” Mr. Comber
replied that it was a long way, but he would try to
come and see them again, and then they would be
able to come to a decision.

Mr. Comber left Bakundu feeling that he had dis-
covered a people amongst whom he might settle

BAKUNDU, WEST AFRICA. [From a Photograph,)

IHOMAb J. COMBER.

down, devoting himself to the work for which he had
come to Africa. He was now anxious to ascertain
the exact geographical situation of the place, and par-
ticularly its relation to the mountain, hoping to dis-
cover a route across it in the direction of Victoria.
As he proceeded with his men along a canoe track — ■
caused by the wooden rollers on which the canoes
made in the bush had been conveyed to the river —
he observed a wide sheet of water. On coming to the
shore he ascertained from some natives that it was
surrounded by land, and that opposite there was a
town, Balombi-ba-Kotta, as large as Bakundu, that it
was on an island in the middle of the lake. The
people invited him to enter their canoes, but his men
were not willing ; and so, as he had found Bakundu,
and was satisfied with the place as a probable mission
station, he was not very desirous to visit Balombi-ba-
Kotta. His efforts, however, to find a route to the
mountain were unsuccessful, and eventually he
returned to Victoria, mainly by the same way he
had set out, resolving early next dry season to visit
Bakundu again.

In the letter to the Society, in which the details of
this important journey were fully and graphically
given, Mr. Comber made the following earnest appeal : —
“ I do hope that, as there are likely to be many good
openings such as there have never been before, the
Society will accept every suitable offer to engage in
the African service ; and that Christians at home will
remember that they owe all to Him who came to
redeem them, and that they will seek for that peculiar
satisfaction which follows giving money for Christ's
service. May ‘ the Lord of the harvest send forth
many labourers unto His harvest.' As to the
expenses of this journey, they will be about ;^i8, I
think."

As may be readily imagined, Mr. Comber was
anxious for the wet season to come to an end, so
that he might attempt his next journey to Bakundu.

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

In the meantime, he carefully matured his plans
against the return of the dry season, which would be
in the month of November. Whilst making these
preparations, he received important news from Eng-
land to the effect that £ 1000 had been given to the
Society for a missionary exploration of the CongOy
and he thought it not unlikely that he might be
one of the two individuals who would be chosen to
undertake it ‘‘If I do go,” he wrote to his father,
“ all my attempts this side (so near a successful
issue at present) will fall through ; and the Congo
or Kabenda will be the mission instead of Cameroons.
Things look so hopeful for me here, that I am
exceedingly loath to give this up. The matter may
be all decided by the mail now expected. Stanley
is not far away, and has come across Africa from
the East. I trust he will meet with a good recep-
tion because of his bravery and energy. I wish
I had resources at command something like his.
It is easy getting in from East Africa from what
it is here. There are caravan routes there, and
clear tracks of other travellers.”

The expected mail did not, however, bring any
definite instructions relative to the Congo. That
important matter bdng still under the consideration
of the Home Committee, Mr. Comber was free to
attempt his second proposed visit to Bakundu, or to
go even beyond that place, to a country still farther
in the interior, of which he had heard, where it might
be even more suitable for him to settle. The fine
Christian spirit with which he entered upon this
journey will be seen in the sentiments he expressed to
his friend John Hartland. “I am earnestly trusting
the Lord will guide me aright inta the carrying out
of His plans for me. My first desire is to do my
duty as His servant. I want to be found faithful, and
I want success, because I want to succeed in the
work my Father has given me to do. I trust I am
His first — entirely and exclusively His, if He wants

(

THOMAS J. COMBER.

to honour me by choosing me to absolute sacrifice, as
far as the dearest relationships of life are concerned,
for instance. I am glad to say I never feel any fear

DON PEDRO V., KING OF CONGO.—/. 75.

or timidity, nor any hopelessness about anything,
however difficult. Going among unknown tribes
where white men are not known, I have sometimes
felt a little apprehensiveness as they have yelled out
to one another, beaten their drums loudly, and

VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS.

crowded round me laughing, but I never feel any real
fear. I know whose I am, and who is my Master, and
am quite as ready to die as to live. Sometimes I
think I don’t feel things enough, that I think of
carrying out duty too barely, if you can understand
what I mean ; there is the work for me to do, and I
seem to go at it without thinking of drawbacks, of
my inefficiencies, and sometimes, I am afraid, throwing
myself too little upon Divine help. The Lord
graciously forgive the sins and faults and neglects of
His sinful servant”

This second important journey was accomplished in
twenty-one days, Mr. Comber proceeding by a branch
of the Cameroons River called the Mungo, which he
found to be navigable for over sixty miles, leaving it
at a place named Malendi. From Malendi the route
lay through thick forests, several large towns being
passed. The lake discovered on the previous journey
was of course an object of deep interest. It was now
thoroughly explored ; the people on the island being
visited. As the lake had no name in particular, and
no other European had reached it, Mr. Comber
determined to call it after his old friend and Sunday-
school teacher — Lake Rickards. His reappearance
in Bakundu occasioned much interest, and further
information of the place and people was obtained.
He returned to Victoria greatly encouraged with the
results of his journey.

In closing this chapter, it may be stated that, whilst
circumstances, as will be presently seen, did not allow
Mr. Comber to settle down amongst the people of
Bakundu, a mission station before long was founded
there, where for years the Gospel has been proclaimed
with tokens of Divine blessing

CHAPTER VI.

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR,

CONGO LAND'

The memorable discovery of the identity of the
Congo and the Lualaba rivers made by Mr.
Stanley, when with such heroic daring he
effected a passage “through the Dark Con-
tinent,” must ever prove a most influential factor in
the redemption of Africa. But some three months
before the world was startled by the announcement
of that extraordinary feat, Mr. Arthington of Leeds,
a gentleman deeply interested in the welfare of the
natives of Africa, in an important communication to
the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society,
under date 14th May, 1877, directed attention to the
country of the Congo. In that communication, Mr.
Arthington referred to information he had received
from Lieutenant Grandy, who had been intrusted
with the Livingstone Congo Expedition — an expedi-
tion which entered Africa from the west coast. The
interesting account given by that Christian officer of
the religious state of the people at San Salvador, the
capital of the Congo kingdom, which place he had
visited, incited Mr. Arthington to suggest to the

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR. 67

Baptist Missionary Society the desirability of sending
out a preliminary expedition with a view to missionary
work ; at the same time expressing the high and sacred
pleasure it would afford him to defray the expenses
which would be incurred. This offer was accoriipanied
by a still more generous proposal should the expedi-
tion prove successful — viz., the presentation to the
Society of a steamer for use on the Congo River.

After much careful inquiry, the Committee of the
Society were thankful and glad to accept so noble a
gift ; and steps were forthwith taken with a view to
its practical application. The two brethren invited
to undertake the expedition were Mr. Grenfell and
Mr. Comber, — no wiser choice could have been made ;
and the Society was indeed fortunate in having men
already in Africa possessing in such a marked manner
so many of the requisite qualifications.

It will be gathered from what has preceded that
these brethren were not unaware of the movements at
home, and of the probable wishes of the Committee
with respect to themselves ; so that when, on the
5th of January, 1878, definite instructions arrived
requesting them to accept the undertaking, they were
prepared to receive them, and were soon ready with
their reply. Mr. Comber wrote thus : —

“Together with my brother, Mr. Grenfell, I read
your important letter yesterday, and hasten to answer
it.

“ So long as the earnest and long cherished desire
of my heart (to labour for Christ among the real
heathen of the interior) can be carried out, I do not
mind whether it be on the Congo, or interior of
Cameroons.

“ I must confess that I am a little bit sorry for
Bakundu, having had my thoughts and sympathies
centred on that place lately, fully expecting to go
there, having chosen ground for house and schools,
and made all arrangements with the people for my
settlement amongst them ; and I most earnestly hope

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THOMAS J. COMBER.

that that district, about sixty miles overland from the
sea-coast, will receive attention in the future.

“ But now I throw my whole heart and soul into
the Congo Mission, and earnestly pray for health and
strength of body to enable me to do the work there.

“ I am very glad that San Salvador will be the
understood basis of operations, and not the sea-coast ;
and after a year's residence there, we shall soon see
what the prospects of extension inland are.

“The Committee has kindly and courteously left
the matter in our hands, as far as our own actions are
concerned ; but had the Committee expressed its
wish for the immediate carrying out of its proposed
arrangements, Mr. Grenfell and I would both have
been ready at once to go down south, and make the
preliminary reconnoitre, so saving the delay of
writing home. However, I feel grateful for the kind
consideration with which they have treated us.

“ I am not my own, nor am I out here for my own
purposes and ends ; and in all my movements,
especially in such a deeply important one as I feel
this to be, I look up to the gracious Master to fulfil
His promise, ‘ I will guide thee with Mine eye,' and
to make all things work together for the everlasting
good of souls, and His own eternal glory."

Mr. Grenfell also wrote in similar strains.

Unfortunately, just at this critical time, Mr. Comber
was afflicted with inflamed ulcers on his legs and
feet ; still, his general health was good, though during
his residence on the west coast he had suffered from
the usual fevers.

It was resolved to take a preliminary voyage down
the coast to Banana. This resolve was wisely carried
into effect. On arriving, a very helpful introduction
was obtained to Mr. Bloeme, the manager of the large
Dutch House, who very hospitably entertained the
brethren, and sent them up to Embomma in the
coasting steamer the Zaire, A few days before they
had also been fortunate in meeting with the English

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR. 7I

Consul, who singularly enough had brought back
Lieutenant Grandy of the Livingstone Congo Expedi-
tion when he returned from the coast, and from
whose personal knowledge of the country very
important information was gained.

At Banana, Mr. Comber was greatly saddened by
the terrible immoralities he witnessed. He thus
refers to them in a letter he wrote to John
Hartland : — “There are desperately shocking things
occurring on the coast of Africa, of which none of
you in England have any idea. Coomassie and
Magdala on a small scale are not uncommon, neither
are plunderings, murders, kidnapping, &c., and the
state of morals among Portuguese and others is
scarcely whisperable. Oh ! it is awful, the amount of
corruption and filth introduced by Europeans.

“ The principal part of the imports discharged from
our ship consisted of rum, gin, and powder ; for one
little place for instance 1200 cases of gin. Spirit is
the curse of commerce out here.”

The sentiments following this extract must be
given, revealing as they do so much of Mr. Comber’s
inner life : —

“Well, I have been running on about West
African society and manners, thinking it might
interest you. I do not know what I can say about
myself ; if I were to keep anything in the shape of
a journal, I fancy never would such a strange history,
with so many variations of feeling be found, and
I fear you know very little about me from the
occasional letters I send you. Sometimes I write
under depression of spirits, sometimes when they are
full of life and effervescence, sometimes feeling sick
and ill, and at other times strong and healthy. The
climate has a strange influence over me. However,
there are certain feelings, which are most pertinacious
in clinging to me — whatever the present may bring,
I am always strangely hopeful about the future in all
respects. I, indeed, even hear Hope singing, ‘It is

THOMAS J. COMBER.

better farther on.’ Failure now perhaps, success sure
and certain soon ; sickness now, but health and
strength before ; a closed path now, horrid darkness
of sin and ignorance, hateful spirit of greed, avarice,
and selfishness, abominable acts of cruelty and
brutality ; but the promises are so full and complete,
and I look away from sickening sights, and barren
hard soil, and feel like singing Isaiah’s song, ‘ The
desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, the
wilderness and solitary place shall be glad.’ The
Lord will ‘ hasten it in His time.’

How are you getting on with Tennyson ? Have
you read the ‘ Idylls ’ ? How great an admirer of
simple duty Tennyson is. Duty, Honour, Purity,
Faithfulness, — these are the virtues he extols, and
sings about. I don’t know any poetry so healthy as
his. I always carry his works into the bush with me,
in my roughest travelling, and many a long weary
Sabbath (don’t be shocked) has been enlightened by
them, while lying in my hammock in some African
hut. Read his ‘ Burial of the Duke of Wellington.’

‘ Not once or twice in our fair island story,

The path of duty was the path of glory.’ ”

As the Zaire was running up to Musuka, the
missionaries were able to proceed thither, — a place
with a trading factory, about a hundred miles from
the coast. At Musuka much valuable knowledge
was obtained as to the route to San Salvador, the
people of the country, carriers, &c. Necessary
arrangements were also made with the Dutch trading
house ; and a letter translated into Portuguese was
left for the King of San Salvador, who was expected,
telling him who the missionaries were, and that it
was their intention to visit him.

This trip was not only useful in regard to future
movements, but it was also very beneficial to Mr.
Comber ; his health was greatly improved, and the
small ulcers on his legs and feet entirely disappeared.

On their return to Cameroons, Mr. Comber and his

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR. 73

colleague devoted themselves to the maturing of
their plans.

The demands of the situation did not, however,
prevent him from writing to his brother, Percy ; in
this letter the expression occurs : I often think what

a grand and honourable thing it would be if the Lord
were to call us all to be missionaries — you, Carrie, Sid,
and I.” After stating this desire and hope, he bade
his brother try for such an end by taking special care
of his Christian character, by growing in grace, and
in likeness to Jesus Christ Should all this prove
satisfactory, and his. health be good, then he would
not feel any hesitation in saying, “ Come to Africa.’*
He reminded him that it depended almost entirely
upon himself. He bade him do as Sidney and as he
himself had done — viz., to look forward to a mission-
ary life as his great aim and desire, to expect it and
prepare himself for it; to live close to Jesus and be
holy and strong in Him. He would have him study
and strive hard to improve himself, because the more
he would know, the more influence he would obtain,
and the more good he would be able to do.

The preparations being as far as possible complete,
on the 28th of June, 1878, in the steamship Volta,
Mr. Comber and Mr. Grenfell proceeded a second
time to the Congo, with the intention of making their
way to San Salvador. Their party consisted of eight
persons besides themselves — two teachers, Ebobu and
Epea ; an Angola black, as Portuguese interpreter ;
two Kroo boys, Jim and Joe ; a Cameroons boy from
the mission, and two small boys, Ti and Cam ;
mention must also be made of Jack, the donkey, and
Mr. Grenfell’s dog, Jip.

The eight days’ passage down south to Banana was
most pleasant, Mr. Comber never feeling better in his
life. The party were very cordially received by Mr.
Hankin, Mr. Bloeme’s representative. As the Zaire
was up river, it was determined to proceed in their
own boat ; her powers being first well tested in the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

channel. Mr. Comber started up the Congo, feeling
very hopeful about everything, and how necessary it
was to continue faithful to his Master and His work,
and to abide in Him if the Divine blessing was to rest
upon the undertaking.

Having reached Musuka, the point on the river at
which the land journey begins, delay was occasioned
by waiting for the carriers whom it was expected the
king would send down from San Salvador. As these
did not arrive, the party was increased to thirty-five
by men from Musuka and neighbourhood. On
the 30th of July the march began, headed by the
“ Kirangazi,” a boy bearing the English flag. Mr.
Comber found the country much depopulated by the
slave trade of the Portuguese. The few rivers that
had to be passed gave no trouble except to “Jack,”
who proved himself a most useful^ animal. There was
no difficulty in procuring food ; a sheep or goat or
pig being killed every day, the Congo people eating
entrails and even the skin, which they cut up and
boiled. The greatest physical difficulty in travelling,
owing to the narrowness of the path, was the tall,
thick grass, reaching in many places fifteen feet in
height.

After proceeding some distance, the men sent by
the king were met, numbering about fifty ; it was,
however, thought advisable that they should go on to
the river and bring up the goods left behind. The
distance from Musuka to San Salvador was found to
be about a hundred miles ; and, after eight days'
travelling, the party reached its destination, being
heartily received by the king and the people of the
town. This reception took place in the king's
courtyard. “ Pedro Finga,” in the words of Mr.
Comber, “introducing us to His Majesty, went
down upon his knees, and seemed struck with awe
and reverence; and most of those who interviewed
His Majesty rubbed dust on their foreheads, and
clapped hands long and vigorously. We found Don

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR. 75

Pedro or Totola, as he is called by his people, sitting
outside his house, his chair placed on an old piece of
carpet. Taking off our hats as we approached, we
shook hands with the king and inquired after his
welfare. He placed chairs for his English guests and
seemed glad to see us.”

On a large Baobab tree Grandy^s initials were
observed, which were cut when he was on his way
to find Livingstone ; underneath, the missionaries
inscribed, “ G. G., ’78,” and “ T. J. C., ’78.” It may
here be stated that Congo was discovered by the
Portuguese in the year 1484 ; that very soon after the
discovery emissaries from the Roman Catholic Church
were sent forth to establish the catholic faith ; that
the chief town of Congo Land was named San
Salvador ; the then king was baptised, and that,
in course of time, a cathedral, churches, a convent,
and a monastery, were built. In less than fifty years,
however, in consequence of other discoveries, the
importance of San Salvador declined ; and, on the
retirement of the Jesuits, the people of San Salvador
readily threw off the nominal Christianity which,
against their will, had been imposed upon them, and
showed their hostile feeling towards the invaders by
demolishing the religious edifices they had erected.
The Portuguese Government did not, however, relin-
quish its hold upon the country ; and at the recent
Berlin conference, the territorial rights of Portugal,
as extending up to the south bank of the Congo, and
reaching over a considerable region inland, including
San Salvador, were formally recognised.

Although for many years no efforts had been made
on behalf of the people in San Salvador by the
Roman Catholic Church, the movements of the
English Baptist Missionary Society did not escape
her ever-watchful eyes ; the consequence was that on
their arrival the missionaries found that a Jesuit father.
Padre Lazaro, had preceded them and was duly
established.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

As their main object in visiting San Salvador was
not so much to settle down in that town, as to
find a base of operations for future work on the
Upper Congo River, the presence of this padre at
first greatly strengthened their determination to
proceed elsewhere. But, in private interviews with
the king, they were assured of Don Pedro's protection,
and were urged to remain ; and during their residence
in the town, which extended over three weeks, they
were able to make inquiries and observations which
tended to impress them more favourably with San
Salvador as a desirable place for the founding of a
mission station, ever, however, keeping in view the
ulterior object of reaching the Upper Congo. Whilst
they were at San Salvador, trading parties had passed
through the town on their way to the coast, — some
of these came from a place called Makuta. Having
ascertained that Makuta was in the right direction
for the Upper Congo, and near the Babwende tribe
of whom Mr. Stanley had spoken so highly, the
missionaries resolved to make an effort to reach that
place. At first the king was opposed ; but being
assured that their intention was simply to reach the
river, he consented to supply them with the necessary
carriers. On this journey Mr. Comber was fortunate
in securing the services of Matoka, a San Salvador
man, who had accompanied Lieutenant Grandy on
his expedition, and from whom he had received a
most satisfactory testimonial. Their route lay
through several small towns — at Moila they were
greatly tried by the refusal of the carriers to proceed
to Makuta ; and, as all entreaty failed, there was
nothing to be done but to pay them and let them
return. The chief of Moila, however, was friendly,
and replenished their staff. Four days' subsequent
march brought them to Tungwa, the largest of the
Makuta towns, containing 2000 inhabitants, being
more populous than San Salvador. Two ambassa-
dors, one of them being Matoka, were sent forward

PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR. 77

to inform the King of Makuta of their approach ; and
for what purpose they wished to pass through his
country. Mr. Comber and his colleague were greatly
encouraged by the favourable report with which the
ambassadors returned. The king was willing to see
them ; but curious to know what they really wanted.

What do the white men want every day coming to
my country? Let them come and see me.” Such
was his message. It should be here observed that no
white man had ever been in Tungwa. The king had
probably heard of Stanley from some of his neigh-
bours ; and Grandy, the only other white man who
could be in question, had not been permitted to enter
the town.

We can imagine the feelings of delight with which
Mr. Comber received this permission to proceed. As
he heard from the brow of the hill the sounds of the
welcoming drums in the town below, such preparations
as could be made were speedily effected, “ the carriers
donning their best bit of cloth and finery, and our
own Cameroons boys putting on clean shirts.” The
description of the reception must be given in Mr.
Comber’s own graphic style : —

“ As we strode down the hill and crossed the river,
which is about twenty feet wide and from two to six
feet deep, more of the inhabitants gathered about us,
curious and fearless, but not impertinent, and we fol-
lowed our good friend Matoka into the centre of the
town, and found that the people were in a great state
of excited curiosity. Some hundreds formed a half-
circle at the front of the house, under the eaves of
which we sat, and they were eagerly pressing upon
one another, and gazing at us with that intense wonder-
ing gaze which I had before encountered in interior
Cameroons. One fine-looking old woman especially
interested me, who took her pipe from her mouth, and
looked at us long and silently, with piercing eyes and
half-opened mouth ; and this old woman was nearly
always amongst the crowd, constantly sitting at a

THOMAS J. COMBER.

respectful distance from our tent, during the four
days of our stay at Tungwa. It was interesting and
pleasant, too, to see the frequent family resemblances
between one and another, a thing I had not noticed
before in Africa, except among a few Cameroons
families. But most interesting were the children.
Some half-a-dozen boys, about eight to twelve years
of age, with frank, open faces, bright lustrous eyes,
and well-formed heads, I became quite attached to,
and longed to have the task of teaching and training
into disciples of Christ. We found these boys to be
very quick and intelligent when we tried to teach
them.

‘‘ After waiting about half-an-hour, the son of the
Soba made his appearance, dressed in a red and black
plaid wound round his body and over his shoulders, a
military coat, and a military cocked hat. He advanced
slowly to the sound of drums and bugles, his people
forming an avenue at his approach. When he reached
within a dozen paces, he stepped briskly forward from
the umbrella held over him, and lifting his hat, and
making a good bow, shook hands with us. He had
come to conduct us to the Soba, his father, by whom
we were grandly received ; indeed, in a more stately
and striking manner than by the King of Congo. He
was sitting on a bamboo native chair, dressed much
in the same style as his son, and was surrounded by
musicians. He rose from his seat on our approach
and advanced to meet us, while his band made such
a deafening noise that our efforts to speak to him
were in vain. The musical instruments consisted of
some large drums, about six cornets and bugles, and
seven ivory horns : these horns were each of a whole
tusk, and gave forth very softened sweet sounds. As
he had nothing but leopard skins to offer us to sit
upon, and the music was almost too much, we retired,
asking him to visit us in our tent. This he did, with
his son, soon after, when we explained why we had
come. He thought we were traders and had come

KECEPTION OF THE MISSIONARIES BY THE KING OF MAKUTA.

THOMAS J. COMBER

from Ambriz to buy his ivory, and seemed scarcely to
believe us when we said we had never bought a single
tusk, and only wanted to teach black men what was
good. He had had no experience of missionaries
before.”

Though the King of Makuta was thus favourably
disposed, it was fully evident that he would afford
no facilities for proceeding farther into the interior,
toward the Upper Congo. His consent and assist-
ance being thus withheld, there was no alternative
except for the missionaries to return, w;hich they did,
arriving in due course at San Salvador, much to the
gratification of Don Pedro and his people.

The objects of the preliminary expedition being
now attained, Mr. Comber determined to proceed to
England, to lay the results of his researches before
the Home Committee, and advise with them as to
the future movements of the Congo Mission. Upon
this determination he accordingly acted, reaching
England about the middle of November.

CHAPTER VII.

HIS FIRST RETURN TO ENGLAND.

The arrival of Mr, Comber in this country, as will
be readily understood, excited feelings of no
ordinary interest. No one can have read the
previous pages without perceiving how strong
were the ties of affection binding him to his relatives
and personal friends. The home circle had indeed
lost much when it lost the gentleness of his presence,
the advantage of his good common-sense, and the
influence of his earnest devotion. In depth of nature,
kindly considerateness, and prudent counsels, he had
been almost more than son, and more than brother.
And beyond the home many had been the true and
noble friendships he had formed. When “ Tom
Comber therefore came back from Africa, warm
indeed was the welcome he received.

But an interest attached to this home-coming
extending far wider than immediate relatives and
friends, and an interest necessarily over and above
that generally connected with the return of mission-
aries for had not Mr. Comber been sent forth where
no other missionaries had gone ; had he not been in
parts where no white men had ever travelled ; and

8i F

THOMAS J. COMBER.

was there not weighty importance belonging to his
journeyings arising out of recent African discoveries
— -particularly those of Stanley ; and now that the
expedition with which he had been intrusted had
proved so successful, was not a new mission field
opening up for the operations of the Society with
which he was identified ? It is not surprising there-
fore that, when his arrival in England in November,
1878, was announced, urgent applications, far more
numerous than could possibly be complied with, were
sent to the Mission House requesting his presence
at missionary meetings.

Perhaps there were no individuals, outside his home
circle, who were more ready to greet him than his
much-loved friend John Hartland and the members
of the children’s class at Camden Road. We do not
wonder that, at the very first weekly meeting which
took place after his return, he should have been
present, and presided as in the former days. The
sacred happiness of that re-gathering, with so many
young people in whose spiritual welfare he had taken
an anxious interest, must be imagined rather than
described^

Much of Mr, Comber’s time was, of course, occupied
in consultations with the Officers and Committee of
the Society, in relation to the further development of
the Congo Mission. It was not his desire to remain
for more than a few months at home ; consequently
what had to be done in the way of preparation for
future operations had to be done with vigour. One
matter especially pressing was the necessity of secur-
ing suitable helpers. Mr. Grenfell having returned to
Cameroons, it was of the utmost urgency that rein-
forcements should be obtained. It was resolved that
Mr. Comber should be accompanied by at least two,
and if possible by more than two colleagues. This
resolution was made known to the churches, and as
the result, three young men volunteered their services
— Mr. W. Holman Bentley, Mr. H. Crudgington, and

HIS FIRST RETURN TO ENGLAND. 83

Mr. Comber’s old friend, Mr. John Hartland. All
three were accepted.

As it was in consequence of Mr. Comber’s influence
John Hartland was led to offer himself as a mission-
ary for the Congo, it is fitting that reference be made
in these pages to that offer in particular. A powerful
impression had been produced upon Mr. Hartland’s
mind by the letters he had received from Africa ; but
it was at a meeting of the Young Men’s Mission-
ary Association held in the Mission House, which
Mr. Comber addressed soon after his return, and as
the result of his appeals on that occasion, that John
Hartland definitely resolved, if God would open his
way, to go to the Congo.

“The same evening,” says his mother, “immediately
on his return home, he wrote to Mr. Comber asking
him if his address was specially intended for him.
It seemed so. For years, long before they met, his
castle in the air was to be a missionary, — it had
always been his hope, yet it seemed too great a call-
ing— too far off — too unattainable ever to hope for.”
In his letter to his friend he thus expressed his
fervent desire : —

“ Often, very often, the voice has called from afar,
‘ Come over and help us.’ I have longed, I have
prayed to go, and often cried, ‘ Here am I ; send me,’
but I have never yet felt that He was sending me,
and I dare not go alone. But to-night you said you
wanted to take with you back to Africa one or two
men at once. The preparation for mission work was
always my obstacle, but if the men you need are
ready to dedicate themselves as they are, and at once
to the Lord’s service — if the only preparation needed
is the preparation of the Holy Spirit ; if the wisdom
needed is that wisdom promised to those who ask ; if
the sufficiency is not a college education, but the
sufficiency which is of God — I cannot, I dare not
hold back. * How much owest thou my Lord ? ’ often
rings in my ears, and my only answer is ‘ Everything.’

THOMAS J. COMBER.

I am not my own, I am bought with a price, and He
who gave His life for me can claim me all His own.
I am ready to go where He wills, even should it be
to pain and death.

‘ Take my life and let it be,

Only, wholly, all for Thee. ’

‘‘ My mind is fully made up, that if you will accept
me (and you know what I am, I have no need to
introduce myself to you), as a fellow-helper in the
Lord’s work, and if the Society will take me as one of
their workers, I am ready this day to consecrate my-
self to the Lord.

“ This is the way in which I humbly trust to ‘ test ’
the call I hear in my heart so loudly. Just as I am,
with all I have I offer myself to the Lord for His
work. If you and the Society accept, I shall feel it
is His call, and come what will, I will obey the voice
of God, and serve Him as He commands me.”

Great was Mr. Comber’s joy on receiving this
letter. He knew that his friend, though he had not
enjoyed the advantages of a college training, possessed
the qualifications which were most requisite. And
because of the possession of those qualifications, and
not merely because of his personal attachment to him,
he urged a prompt application to the Society. John
Hartland followed the advice, and his application was
thankfully accepted.

On the loth of February, the year being 1879,
Mr. Comber was invited to read a paper on his
explorations inland from Mount Cameroons and
journey through Congo to Makuta, before the
members of the Royal Geographical Society, which
paper may be found in the Society’s monthly records
of that date. The paper was well received. Captain
Burton said his first duty was personally to thank
Mr. Comber for having found his bottle. (A bottle
the captain had deposited on the occasion of his
own ascent of the mountain.) He thought he had
made a most interesting journey, and had brought

HIS FIRST RETURN TO ENGLAND.

back a considerable amount of new information.
The lake described was previously unknown. With
regard to Mr. Comber’s journey to the Congo, it
was very important, especially in connection with
the proposed ulterior proceedings of missionary
bodies. Sir Rutherford Alcock expressed himself
as much indebted to Mr. Comber, affording, as his
paper did, much encouragement in many respects.
In moving a vote of thanks, the president observed
that nothing could be more hopeful or satisfactory
than the almost idyllic picture which had been drawn,
by Mr. Comber’s able pen, of a country which, he
trusted, was destined to become the theatre of his
successful labours.

Many and urgent as were the claims upon his
thought and time, Mr. Comber would not permit
his brother Percy’s birthday to pass by without send-
ing the following affectionate remembrance of it : —

‘‘ My dear Brother, — I quite expected to be
able to write you a letter yesterday, where I was
preaching, but found the time did not belong to me,
so write now, though I am afraid this letter will be
late. I am very sorry, as I can imagine you were
hoping to have a letter from me this morning. Once
more, I wish you ‘ many very happy returns of the
day.’ I feel very thankful, my dear brother, both
for what you are and for what 1 hope and expect you
will be. Our Heavenly Father has wonderfully
blessed us three boys, with our sister also ; and we
ought to be very thankful. Especially that we have
been brought to know, love, and serve Him. How
differently we have been placed to so many you
doubtless see about you (your shop companions, for
instance), being brought up, as we have been, under
strong religious influences, and naturally becoming
followers of the blessed Master, Christ. I am thank-
ful that you are a Sunday-school teacher too, and
I earnestly pray that you may be able to do some-

THOMAS J. COMBER.

thing for the Master in your class and at your
meetings. May He fit and prepare you for greater
work.

“ And then, Percy, see how He has guided all three
of us to think about mission work, so that we are
choosing a life of great and honourable service. I
love my work so dearly, am so proud of it, and would
not give it up for anything ; and I could send you no
better birthday wish than that you may be called to
the same work. It will indeed be glorious if you, Sid,
and I are all working in the future in the same field,
and I fully expect and earnestly hope it will be so.
Stage by stage I have been led to it, and as you, dear
Percy, covet and strive after it, look forward to
it, and try hard to fit yourself for it. I am sorry to
have been so busy as to do so little for you — in writ-
ing to you and helping you. I have often, however,
left you in confidence in God’s hand ; and besides this,
I have been glad that you have had Sid’s help and
guidance. But my time seems more and more fully
occupied, and I can’t do for you what I once could.
But, keeping close to Christ, you, dear Percy, will get
on, I am sure of it. Find a place in your new year’s
motto for this thought, ‘ Closer to Christ,’ and pray
that it may be so also with me.

“ Directly after finishing this letter, I shall kneel in
earnest prayer — specially, to-night, for my brother
Percy. God bless you. — From your ever affectionate
brother, TOM.

“PS. — I hope you will find the books useful to
you.”

On the 4th of April, the early attachment he had
formed was consummated by his marriage to Miss
Minnie Rickards, the daughter of his much-esteemed
Sunday-school teacher. Thus a dream of his boy-
hood became a reality. The marriage ceremony was
performed by Dr. Clifford, in Westbourne Park
Chapel, and being the first wedding in that sanctuary.

HIS FIRST RETURN TO ENGLAND. 87

the minister, as is customary in such circumstances,
presented the happy couple with a copy of the Word
of God.

The time was now drawing near for the departure
of the Congo band. Many friends desiring an
opportunity at which they might publicly bid the
missionaries “ God-speed,” on the 23rd of April the
large hall of the Cannon Street Hotel was secured
for the purpose ; but so great were the numbers
attending that both the large and the pillar halls
were in request, and were crowded. Mr. Tritton, in
presiding, spoke, as was his wont, with much spiritual
beauty and power. In the course of his observations,
he remarked, with solemn emphasis : — Disappoint-
ments may await our brethren and ourselves ; and
trials neither few nor small. Africa has had her
martyrs. She may have them again. There are
graves of the saints in Africa. More such may be
opened yet. But come what may, there is a sense in
which our brethren will be, in that land, not as
captives, but as freemen of the Lord, themselves
preaching deliverance to the captives, and the open-
ing of the prison to them that are bound.”

Amongst other speakers was Dr. Stanford. He had
been asked, as his pastor, to introduce Mr. Comber.
‘‘ I am told,” he said, ‘‘ that I am to introduce my
friend and brother, Thomas Comber. But he needs no
introduction from me. You all know him quite well.
He answers to what a missionary to Africa should be.
A man going on this mission to Africa should be a
man. He should have the genius for peace. He
should have a head well screwed on. He should
have a clear, calm common-sense. He should have
in him the very patience of a lamb of God. You
know we want souls to work, and not to be faint
or to be discouraged. And our Comber is that man ;
and he is going to Africa, not on a scientific expedi-
tion, nor (if I may use the words of the last-made
cardinal) going with the idea of translating Plato into

THOMAS J. COMBER.

the language of the Hottentots. He is simply going
to preach Jesus, and not to preach Him exactly in
the style of Chalmers, or of Robert Hall, or of the
Bampton lecturers, but rather of Philip the Evangelist,
about whom we read in the first missionary chronicles
that, as he was driven into the wilderness along with
one of the black men, he opened his mouth and
preached to him Jesus And I hope Comber will do
that ; and I am confident he has, so far as we dare to
say of any one, the Divine credentials : yet I feel that it
is an act of faith for him to go, and an act of faith on
our part to let him go. If it were not for the grand
imperial promise, ‘ Lo ! I am with you alway,' it
would be an act of fantastic folly. But we have that
promise, and we dare to send him with all power on
his side, having the Saviour with him.”

Great was the effect when the veteran, Alfred
Saker, rose to address the meeting. The appearance
of the worn missionary, the remembrance of his
long years of heroic service, gave a charm— a magic
power — to his words of tender sympathy and wise
counsel. Much regret was felt at the absence of
Dr. Moffat, who had intended to be present.

CHAPTER VIII.

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS PREVIOUS TO REACHING

STANLEY POOL.

The voyage out was exceptionally successful and
pleasant : good weather, calm seas, specially
beautiful nights, and splendid health nearly all
the time. The Volta was exchanged for the
Congo at Teneriffe, on which island six donkeys and
a tiny foal were purchased for carrying purposes,
and Mr. Comber had also hoped to have obtained
there two cows. The little donkey being very
lively and skittish, afforded some amusement. It had
been bought for a dollar, and so was called “ Dollar.''
Mr. Comber would sometimes trot him aft " to see
Mrs. Comber. It was just small enough to run
through his legs without knocking him over. Besides
the donkey live-stock, there were two dogs — a large-
sized Newfoundland-retriever, and a good colley or
shepherd's dog, with a particularly beautiful face.
Whilst on board, Mr. Comber spent considerable time
in reading up and practising in '' nautical astronomy,"
so that he might be able accurately to take the sun for
latitude and longitude. To Mr. Baynes, the Secretary
of the Society, he wrote off Sierra Leone : — We are

THOMAS J. COMBER.

a very happy party on board the Congo— in our
successful voyage, in our glorious prospects for the
future, and in our intercourse with one another. We
had a very delightful and strengthening service on
board last Sunday, when we partook of the ‘Lord’s
Supper’ together. And every day we are able to
meet in the ‘ Ladies’ Saloon ’ for prayer. I think all
our hearts are light and joyous, and we feel with
Anna Waring —

‘ My hopes I cannot measure.’

I trust that every report we have to make may be as
cheering and as full of thankfulness as this.”

On the Congo calling at Cameroons, Mr. Comber
was able to secure the Cameroons contingent. Arriv-
ing there, he heard the important news that Mr.
Stanley was shortly to enter Africa from the mouth
of the Congo, and to go up to the Pool, for the pur-
pose of establishing trading stations along the banks
of the river. Important, however, as this news was,
he felt that it would not affect the Mission plans of
planting a base station at San Salvador, and a station,
if possible, at Makuta, from which to press on to the
Pool above the Falls.

On the evening of the 9th of June, Banana was
reached — six weeks and two days after leaving Liver-
pool. The day following, Mr. Bentley and Mr. Hart-
land started in a schooner for Boma ; and the second
day an “ express canoe ” was despatched to Musuka
with a letter to the King of Congo to be forwarded by
an “ express courier ” to San Salvador, informing His
Majesty of the arrival of the missionary party, and
asking for carriers. Mr. Comber and the rest of the
party left at Banana were conveyed up to Musuka by
the Zaire, It was thought advisable to make the
journey to San Salvador in two detachments. The
advance party, consisting of Mr. Bentley and Mr.
Crudgington, thirty-six carriers, two capatas^ four
donkeys, and the dog “ Ben,” duly reached their desti-

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS. 9 1

nation in safety and health, being well received by the
king, who ordered a salute of fifty guns. The rear
party accomplished their journey with equal success
and were as cordially welcomed.

But, not many days had elapsed after their settle-
ment at San Salvador, when a most terrible trial over-
took the missionary band in general, and Mr. Comber
in particular. It was nothing less than the death of
Mrs. Comber, which most sorrowful event happened
on the morning of Sunday, the 24th of August. The
sad circumstance is most pathetically described in
the following extracts from a letter John Hartland
wrote to his mother : —

“ I am sure you will be as sorry , to get this letter as
I am to write it It contains bad news. I may as well
tell it at once, though it will come very suddenly to
you.

‘‘ Our dear brother Comber has lost his young wife !
Poor Mrs. Comber has passed away! It will seem
very sudden to you, no doubt ; it was sudden to us too.
She died of meningitis, an inflammation of the mem-
brane of the brain, brought on by bad news from
home. She was just recovering from a rather severe
attack of fever, had not been able to get up, but
expected shortly to do so. When the letters, our long
and anxiously looked for letters arrived, Mr. Comber
gave her those directed to her, and on coming into the
room a few minutes later, found her sitting up in bed
crying.

‘‘ While we had been enjoying our good news from
home, she had been reading of the serious, almost
hopeless illness of her sister Lottie. The bad news
seemed to take hold of her ; the next day she was
much worse, and vomited all she took. Many bad
symptoms appeared, and at first it was thought she
had typhoid fever ; but soon coma set in, and for
several days she lay quite unconscious, and only took
nourishment from a spoon with which Tom fed her.
They knew it could not be typhus, and Harry (Mr.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

Crudgington) suggested that the symptoms were all
those of meningitis, the most fatal of brain fever.
For a day we hoped against Harry's diagnosis, but the
next day Tom fell in with his ideas. All day, Satur-
day, she lay unconscious, Tom feeding her with beef-
tea, eggs, and such things. All night Tom and Harry
sat up with her. On Sunday she looked better, when
I saw her at 6 A.M., but at 6.45, when Tom was alone
with her, the breathing became slower, and, with a few
sighs, her soul passed away to its rest.

“ Sunday was a sad day to us ; Bentley was ill with
bilious fever. Tom did not come out of his house all
day ; but first prepared his dead wife for the grave,
and then afterwards sat beside her, and you can
imagine how deeply he grieved for her. I believe
they loved each other most affectionately, and it is
indeed a great and terrible bereavement to him, but
he bears it bravely.

Harry and I prepared the coffin, after Epea had
made it out of some planks that only came up the day
before. We lined it with white cloth, making a bed
and pillow, and cut out a frill to put round it ; it
looked very nice indeed. We also made a grass and
evergreen wreath to lay on the top. We were obliged
to put her in the coffin the same day ; but the funeral
was not till the next morning. The grave was dug
not far from the site of the house we are going to
build.

‘‘ The next morning the sad train left the house for
the grave. The white coffin, covered with a white
pall, and surmounted with green leaves, was carried by
four of the Mission people. Mr. Crudgington led the
way, then followed Tom and I as chief mourners, Mr.
Bentley and a Mr. Aston, a Birmingham trader, then
the Mission people, followed by a general crowd led
by the King of Congo himself. At the grave, into
which large plantain leaves were laid, we all took
our places, the people keeping off at a respectful dis-
tance. The service (one we had arranged among

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS.

ourselves) was read, partly by Mr. Crudgington and
partly by myself. We sang ' We shall part but not
for ever,' and some other hymns ; prayer was offered,
and then we left Epea to fill up the grave. The
whole was so solemn and impressive, but yet very
simple.

‘‘ The people kept wonderfully quiet and attentive
all the time.

“ After the funeral, the day passed very sadly and
gloomily, and so have the following days ; for we miss

her very much. You cannot think what a loss she is
to us all, and how we miss her bright, cheerful face,
her merry laugh and her kind gentle voice ; but she
has gone from the noblest service on earth to join
the hosts of His servants who serve Him above, and
is now in the presence of the King, and we may not
wish her back.

“ Poor Tom bears up most bravely, though his loss
is most severe, and at times when he thinks of her in

THOMAS J. COMBER.

that glorious land where they see His face, and where
are gathered all the servants of God who have gone
on before, and have entered into rest, he cannot help
with the far-famed dreamer of Bedford wishing him-
self amongst them.”

Mr. Comber’s personal loss was rendered addition-
ally keen by the sympathy he felt for his wife’s
friends.

“I am very anxiously waiting,” he wrote to Mr.
Rickards, ‘‘for your letters in answer to mine of
August, and shall be very glad when they come. In
many troubles of boyhood and youth, you have
sustained, encouraged, and advised me, and taught
me to look above, and I have sadly wanted you in
this climax of trouble, which has come upon me in
early manhood, and have often wished I could occupy
a place in the sacred circle of your home, and could
join in your Sunday evening worship ; but the life
I have chosen gives me the arm of the Heavenly
Father alone to lean upon, and Faith needs to be
stronger than with you in England.

“ I can’t tell you yet what effect my sorrow has had
upon me, my spirit and life. I know that heaven is
more attractive, and the thought of death more
pleasant ; and I think I am more earnest in my
work ; but I do so sadly miss my darling wife. I
sometimes feel I can scarcely bear it, and don’t know
what to do. But the ‘Very Present Help in Trouble’
has been near, and my times of bursting grief have
been times when Jesus has been nearest to me, and
the consolations of His love very precious. Yet I
can’t say I am contented in spirit, although I believe
that He does all for the best.

“The strong tie always existing between my old
teacher and myself, became the closest and strongest
possible when he yielded to my care his ‘ dear little
girl ; ’ and it brought me in close intimacy with
others of his family, who for their own worth, as well
as for Minnie’s sake, became dear to me. I hope that

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS. 95

this tie will not now loosen. I should wrong my
dearest earthly friend if I thought it would be so
with you ; but I want to be loved as a son and a
brother, and treated as such by the others, al-
though I have been the means of bringing sorrow
into your circle ; and I hope that my now lonely life,
all the lonelier after the brief companionship of my
darling, will have the occasional gleam of earthly
sunshine which a letter from one of your household
will give. In the letters written to Minnie and
reaching here since her passing away, I have been
very glad to read affectionate messages to me.

“You are, I know, anxious to hear about our work
here, and in this letter I will tell you something of it ;
but I must send you a beautiful passage from
Martineau’s ‘Endeavours after the Christian Life,’
which I have come across to-day. I have been
wanting to explain why anything connected with
Minnie, any reference to her in talk or writing,
although making my loss all the more keenly vivid,
yet is pleasant to me. To read her letters that have
come from you has been an occupation eagerly
sought ; although it has made me feel the loss more.
Martineau puts the feeling into words thus : —
‘Will a true heart say that an affection is evil
because it is sad, and wish to shake it off the moment
it brings pain? Call it what you will, that is not
love, which itself is anxious to grow cold ; the
emotions of a faithful soul never entertain a suicidal
purpose and plan their own extinction ; rather do
they reproach their own setisibility and passionately
pray for a greater vitality. Whether, then, in joy
or regrets, let the spirit of affection stay ; and if that
spirit stay, the objects, though vanished, leave their
best presence with us still. No, that is only lost truly
which we have ceased to love.’ ”

It will be seen from the above sentiments how
bravely and submissively Mr. Comber desired to bear
his great sorrow. He determined to try and do his

THOMAS J. COMBER.

work faithfully and cheerfully. He would work, the
Lord helping him, as she who had been taken would
have had him work ; consequently, a week after her
death, with Mr. Hartland as his companion, he
started upon the proposed journey for Makuta. It
was attended with many difficulties, and, as far as any
permanent settlement was concerned, was most dis-
appointing. As a specimen of Mr. Comber’s manner
of keeping rough notes, as well as for the information
supplied, the following will be read with interest : —

“Tuesday, 9th September. — Carriers won’t start —
stay all day — can’t get other carriers, and these won’t
return ; they say they will wait.

“Wednesday, loth. — Still here (Kola); carriers
seem afraid to go on, and take their pay for one day,
speaking of returning ; but they don’t return. Mr.
Hartland has fever again (yesterday, ague). Soba
brings bullets (three square pieces of iron roughly
smelted), saying that Susu-Mpemba had sent them to
him on our behalf. I say we will wait fot Matoka,
but try to arrange ambassadors to go to Tungwa,
feeling that the people won’t like to see us without
our first sending ambassadors. Sent off Cozinheiro,
Cam, and Sabbi (Cam to carry cloth and see it
delivered to Susu-Mpemba, as I cannot trust the
others). Fear that present sent by first ambassadors
did not reach the chiefs. Our fresh ambassadors
start at 3.30, and may be able to return to-night, as
it is only about five miles. Ambassadors do not
return. Latitude (from observation) 5° 42' 28".
(Vega.)

“Thursday, nth. — Cam returns with Sabbi at
7.30. Says that others were afraid to enter Tungwa,
saying that Susu-Mpemba would shoot them. Cam
answers, ‘ Never mind ; suppose they do. Let us go.’
They wanted him to give up the present into the
hands of a stranger to convey to Susu-Mpemba, but
acting upon my instructions Cam refuses. Cozinheiro,
afraid to return, they say, has gone to Congo by

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS.

another road ; and Sabbi lays all the blame on his
companion (of course!). Cannot understand what
the state of affairs really is, but prepare to go myself
to Tungwa ; and having put a little food together, set
out at eight o’clock, accompanied by Cam and Sabbi
(under compulsion). Sabbi tries to linger and get
out of it, but Cam goes behind, and I in front, and
I promise Sabbi a good dash. Hartland left in
charge of goods. N., N.N.E., and N.E. for two hours
walking, Cam and Sabbi almost off their legs, and at
ten o’clock arrive at Tungwa. Town looks larger
and prettier than before. The prettiest African town
I have ever seen. Cam says ‘ it pass [is better than]
all other towns.’ Half way there we meet Cozinheiro,
who after all did not return to Congo, but was hang-
ing about near. He says he has been into the town
this morning, and that Susu-Mpemba declares that
the cloth we sent to. him was delivered as coming
from the King of Congo, and not from us.

“Cross the Tungwa River and enter town without
opposition, but without welcome. A few uninfluen-
tial people meet us and accompany us as we walk to
our former camping place. Seat myself on stool
outside house, and presently the chief Sengeli (Susu-
Mpemba’s father) passes at a little distance, waving
his hands in perplexity and trouble. Wait half-an-
hour and shake hands with a few people, and then eat
my breakfast. About eleven Susu-Mpemba and his
elder brother Antonio cOme. The former shakes
hands, the latter won’t until persuaded by my con-
tinuously offered hand with frequent ‘ Simba-ngeye ’
(Take, friend !). Both these brothers have whitish
hair, and must be about fifty, and Sengeli must be
seventy. Susu-Mpemba’s son (a lad about sixteen)
is an interesting, fine-looking young fellow. Both
the brothers seem perplexed and troubled at seeing
me, and none of the former state is displayed (hat,
umbrella, music, &c.). Follow them to the palaver
tree, and about 200 people circle round us. I tell the

THOMAS J. COMBER.

chiefs, through Cozinheiro, how I have returned
according to promise, that others are with me, that
we are living at San Salvador, and that we sent four
ambassadors (Sabbi being one) with a present for
Susu-Mpemba, and one for Bwaka-Mata (a chief
beyond). I have now come to visit him ; not to sleep
in his town unless he wishes. The truth about our
former ambassadors now leaks out. The present we
sent to Bwaka-Mata was appropriated in part by the
King of Congo, and in part by the ambassadors ;
while that for Susu-Mpemba was delivered in the
name of the King of Congo. They all seemed dis-
gusted and angry at the petty treachery, and speak
wrathfully about Totola, King of Congo ; but were
most angry with Sabbi, the ambassador (as represent-
ing the King of Congo), for his deception, and also
because he has brought us to Tungwa again. They
shower invective upon him, and the chiefs spit at his
face and draw their hands significantly across their
throats. One man runs at him with a stick, and
another takes up his gun. I protect Sabbi with my
arm, and observe that, as he drinks some water from
a bottle close by, he is in a profuse perspiration from
terror. Cozinheiro explains that they want to kill
him, and I rise and plead that it is not altogether his
fault ; that he acted under other instructions. After
more than three hours’ palaver, during which they
frequently retire for consultation, I am told that,
much as they would personally like to see me, our com-
ing before had brought them into so much trouble
with neighbouring chiefs, who said Susu-Mpemba
was always calling the white man to his town (the
said white man wanting to take the country), that we
must not come. Also that I must not keep saying all
over the country that Susu-Mpemba was my friend,
because this statenient was always bringing him into
trouble. They say little, however to me ; but
threaten strongly Sabbi, and with much vociferation,
put a bullet into his hand to bear to Totola, saying

^iVKNTS AND PR0CE£:DINGS.

that, if he sends any more ambassadors to Makuta
on behalf of white men, their throats will be cut and
they thrown into the river.

“As to going farther into the country by the
Makuta road, they say we may try Zombo or Kin-
suka, but must not come their way, because of the
opposition of surrounding chiefs. And when I
direct Cozinheiro to say that we hope soon to
be widely known as benevolent, kind missionaries
only, and not as traders, or as coming to take
their country, and that, perhaps, then they would
like us to come and settle in their town and teach
them God's Word, I understand enough of Fyot to
know he does not give my message. He refuses,
saying the people wouldn't like it, but I shout,
‘Vova! Vova!' (speak), and the people seeing he
was keeping back, shout, ‘Vova' too, and when he
tells them, they smile an incredulous smile, while
some appear angry.

“ After negativing my proposal to bring my white
brother the next day to see them, and refusing to
take any of the tempting goods I had brought as a
present for them, they shake hands and go away.
During all this palaver, although they threaten the
King of Congo, Sabbi, Cozinheiro, my boy Cam, and
all the ambassadors, yet they do not once threaten
me ; and when speaking I smile in the face of Susu-
Mpemba or Antonio. They always smile in a
friendly troubled way, and I am sure want us to
come, though they cannot allow us. The people, too,
seem friendly, although they call after us, ‘ Ki-leka-
ko' (You mustn't sleep here). Nothing more can^.be
done at present ; the road this way is clearly shut up,
and in weariness and disappointment I return, and
reach Kola very tired at 3.30. We decide that the
only thing to be done is to try another route."

Thus defeated at Makuta, Mr. Comber's first idea
was to attempt a route by way of Zombo, but this on
further thought was abandoned, and he resolved to

100 THOMAS J. COMBER.

return and remain for three months at San Salvador.
This he did, and, together with his brethren, endeav-
oured to consolidate the Mission in that place.
Services were regularly conducted, averaging in
attendance, 1 50 ; a school for the boys was opened ;
good progress was made with the language, and
perhaps, most important of all, their purpose in going
to San Salvador was becoming better understood, and
the influence of their characters and lives beginning
to tell. Besides these results, temporary premises
had been erected, and a stone house had been par-
tially built. The difficulty apd time connected with
the last of these achievements will be . understood
when it is stated that two days were occupied in
searching for limestone for mortar ; three in making
a road to get to it ; four days in breaking and blast-
ing it; three days to carry two and a-half tons of
limestone to the nearest point of the Little Lueji
River ; ten days making a twentyTour feet canoe to
carry a ton of stone and six men to a part of the
river where fuel is obtainable and an old kiln exists ;
four more in building two sheds, one to protect the
lime from rain, and the other to protect himself and
those who were with him ; three days with thirty mei^'
dragging canoe from place of cutting to the river ;
six days clearing the river of obstacles (overgrowths,
fallen trees, &c.) ; four more days collecting wood
and burning the lime ; and three days getting to San
Salvador, with many more days lost through rain.
All this before mortar could be obtained and the
walls of the house commenced.

About this time the king received a communica-
tion from the French Pere Superior of the Roman
Catholic Mission at Landana, near Banana, consist-
ing of twenty-one quarto pageSy which, without Mr.
Comber’s assistance, he could not have deciphered.
With ludicrous irony, Mr. Comber gave His Majesty
to understand that the Pere Superior was full of
passionate desire for his welfare ; how the writer had

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS. lOI

been sent twelve years before to Congo by His Holi-
ness the Pope, but health and strength had failed,
and he had been obliged to settle his mission at
Landana, having, however, made many unsuccessful
attempts to reach Congo, once getting as far as Boma.
Mr. Comber did not fail to suggest to the king that it
was rather singular, seeing his soul was filled with
such ardent love, he had not before, during all the
twelve years, sent him a letter. The people were not
slow to estimate the ‘‘ passionate desires ” at their true
value. Of course, the Pere Superior took the oppor-
tunity to denounce the missionaries in the strongest
terms, as servants of the devil, etc., expatiating upon
the doctrines of Protestantism, the Reformation, per-
sonal character of Henry VIII., Luther, Calvin and
Zwingle. After requesting that carriers might be
sent and a house prepared for him, the writer con-
cluded his letter by promising to establish a large
mission, and bring a present to the king, of whom
he was the profoundly humble, obedient servant,
etc. The king was not pleased with this communica-
tion, for he even declined to send the requested
carriers.

The efforts of the missionaries, though concentrated
at San Salvador, were by no means confined to that
place ; visits into the surrounding country were con-
tinually being made, and nearly always with the great
object in view of effecting a passage to the Pool.
Some of these journeys were of great importance in
themselves, giving opportunities for gaining wider
knowledge of the people, and for proclaiming the
Gospel ; and at several of the towns urgent requests
were made for the white men to build houses and
remain as teachers. As one of these journeys was
attended by very serious consequences to Mr.
Comber, it must be described in detail. On the occa-
sion referred to, Mr. Comber set forth accompanied
by Mr. Hartland, Cam, a linguister, and eight Kroo
boys. On arriving at Banza Loango, seven of the

102 THOMAS J. COMBER.

Kroo boys, through fear, deserted. Mr. Comber
having been induced to make this particular effort
through rumours which again and again had reached
San Salvador, to the effect that Bwaka-Mata was
willing for the white men to go through his land if
they brought with them Kroo boys and no Congo
men, he determined to go forward and ascertain
whether these rumours were well founded. They
passed Moila and Tungwa safely, and at last reached
the town they were seeking, Banza Makuta. The .
reception had better be given in John Hartland's
graphic words: — ‘^We walked into the town and
asked the people its name, but got no answer. The
people drew back a little, and then one man called
out ‘Ndabonga nkeli, vaunda mundeli!’ ‘Fetch the
guns ; kill the white men ! * and in an instant they
rushed away, returning immediately armed with great
sticks, huge pieces of stone, knives, cutlasses, and
guns, and, without any word of palaver, commenced
dancing and leaping round us, and brandishing their
weapons. Mr. Comber sat down by a house, and
I was about to do the same, but our assailants yelled
out, ‘Get up, get up,’ and rushed upon us. Such
fiendish, blood-thirsty, cruel countenances I never
saw. We got up and called to them to stop, that we
would go back, but it was no good, and stones
came flying towards us, and sticks and knives were
brandished around us. We could see the people
were determined, not only to drive us from the town,
but to have our lives, so there was nothing left for us
to do but to attempt flight, though it seemed hope-
less. Away we started, amid stones and blows. We
all got hit and bruised, but managed to reach the top
of the steep hill, when a sudden report rang out
behind us above the uproar, and Mr. Comber, who
was in front of me, fell. I dashed up to him and
tried to assist him to rise, but he said, ‘ It ’s no use,
John ; I ’m hit, you go on.’

“ How I got down that terrible hill, through the

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS.

103

water, and up the next hill, I don’t know, but I over-
took Cam just outside the next town, and made him
stop and walk through it, for fear its inhabitants
should attack us if they saw us running. They had
heard the shots and were out with their guns, but
seemed undecided what they ought to do, and their
indecision saved us. Had they been prepared for us,
our case would have been hopeless. As we left this
town I heard Mr. Comber shouting behind me, and
saw him running towards us. We waited an instant
until he came up, and then went full speed down the
next hill and up into another town, followed by the
furious Banza Makuta people. Mr. Comber kept up
well. He had been shot in the middle of the back,
but the ball had not entered the lungs, for he experi-
enced no difficulty in breathing, and his wound did
not bleed very much. After we left the last town
and got on the road, we thought the people had given
up pursuit, so left off running, and walked on sharply
along the road to Tungwa ; but, on looking round
soon we saw three men following swiftly after us,
armed with knives, sticks, and a gun. They gained
on us rapidly, and we, though beaten and wounded,
took to running again. When we started, our
pursuers set up a most horrible, demoniacal yell,
redoubled their efforts, and threw stones after us,
many of which whizzed past us, but none hit us.
It was now a race for life along that weary road ; we
had to exert ourselves to our utmost, and throw
away everything we were carrying. On we dashed,
and on came the blood-thirsty savages behind us ;
once they came within shot and fired at us, but with-
out harming us. So we continued running and being
run after for five miles, until we drew near to Tungwa,
by which time our pursuers had grown tired and given
up the chase. We walked hurriedly through Tungwa
without allowing the people to know what had
happened, crossed the river, and were out on the road
again. The shades of night were now falling, and we

104

THOMAS J. COMBER.

pressed on at our utmost speed, fearing still that the
people were not far behind. By dark we reached the
town where we had left our Moila man. With his
aid we continued our journey in the darkness, often
tripping and stumbling, but still continuing our
course, for life depended on our putting a long
distance between ourselves and Banza Makuta, and
outrunning the news in this still unfriendly country.

At nine o’clock we reached Kola, the town where
we had slept the previous night. Here we rested until
past twelve, and then — fearing pursuit, and, perhaps,
too, treachery from the people — we started again.
The night was pitchy black — no moon or stars. We
could only feel our road, and often had to keep hold
of each other’s walking-poles to keep together. So
we walked on untik three o’clock, passing through
several towns on tiptoe for fear of waking the people ;
but at last we came to a large town, where our guide
lost the way. There was a river before us which
could only be crossed by a bridge, and that bridge we
could not find in the darkness, so, after an hour’s
fruitless search, we lay ourselves down in the road to
wait for the day — two weary hours, during which the
others slept, and I, after in vain trying to find another
way over the river, sat and watched. When the long-
wished-for dawn broke we went back into the town,
and found the road. We were all desperately tired,
and Mr. Comber was getting faint with his wound;
but we pressed on until we had crossed the Quiloa,
passed Banza Mputa, and reached a friendly town
two hours beyond. Here Mr. Comber was quite
‘done up,’ and the small flask of brandy — the only
thing we managed to save — failed. We sat in this
town about an hour, and ate a little rice. Mr.
Comber revived a little, and we started again. For-
tunately, we were able to get a few men, and I made
up a hammock of a blanket, so that we got on as far
as Sanda by the middle of the afternoon, Mr. Comber
in the hammock, Cam and I walking. At Sanda we

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS.

105

were among friends — warm friends too — and their
expressions of indignation and kindly sympathy
almost brought tears into our eyes. Everything we
wanted they got for us, and we laid down to sleep
with a feeling of comparative safety, knowing that if
we were followed our friends would have protected us
at the risk of their own lives. We were able at Sanda
to ‘ look over ’ ourselves, to ascertain what harm we
had sustained. Cam had come off the best, with
scarcely a bruise. Mr. Comber's wound appeared to
oe only a slight one, the bullet having struck against
the spine, and not penetrated beyond, although it had
made a nasty wound in the muscles of the back.
I had several bruises from sticks and stones, one
particularly on my right temple, caused by a huge
piece of stone and a thick stick thrown at me, which
at the time almost stunned me. There was a great
gash in the shoulder of my shirt, which the natives
assure me was cut by a knife ; how I escaped being
stabbed is truly miraculous. Our whole escape from
these fierce people, whose determination was evi-
dently our destruction, was most wonderful. Nothing
but the unfailing care and loving guarding of our
Heavenly Father could have saved us from their
hands. Need I say how sincerely our hearts and
voices rose in deepest gratitude and thankfulness to
Him who had been with us and delivered us when no
other arm could have saved us ? Our God ^nd Master
has truly been our ‘ shield and defender,' and has not
failed or forsaken His servants in their time of need.

‘^The rest of my story is soon told. We got fresh
carriers for the hammock, and a crowd of men to
accompany us, and in two days more, weary and
worn out, we arrived at Congo, having come about
eighty miles in three days. All along the road the
people were most indignant at the conduct of the
Banza Makuta people, and most warm in their sym-
pathies with us.

‘‘ On the evening of our arrival at Congo, Mr.

I06 THOMAS J. COMBER.

Crudgington extracted the bullet — a square piece of
ironstone — which was imbedded more than an inch in
the muscles of the back. Mr. Comber is doing very-
well, and, with the exception of his wound, is in
excellent health.

‘‘ Please excuse this hurried scrawl. I am writing
immediately, so that you may have the news as soon
as possible. By next mail I expect Mr, Comber will
send you a fuller account of the whole affair, and a
view of its bearings on our work for the future. Mr.
Crudgington is sending with this his official report of
the extracting operation and the state of Mr.
Comber’s health, which, I again assure our friends, is
most satisfactory.”

Unfortunately, as the bullet wound was making
satisfactory progress, Mr. Comber was overtaken with
a serious attack of fever, so serious that fears were
entertained he would not recover. But under Mr.
Crudgington’s skilful treatment the fever subsided,
the wound was completely healed, and in a short
time Mr. Comber regained his usual health.

Great, however, as had been their difficulties, the
missionaries were undaunted in their efforts to reach
the Pool. “ Would you be surprised and scared,” Mr.
Comber wrote, after a while, to his father, “ if you
heard I was again travelling towards Makuta ? We
are hoping that the Great Overruler for good will
turn to the best account the unfortunate shooting
business — yes, overrule it for good, and make that
the cause of the opening of the long shut road. A
great palaver is being held at Makuta, and every one
is said to be threatening our enemy, Bwaka-Mata, if
he does not let us pass. Of course, if it is settled on
our side, I shall make sure before setting my foot
on such inhospitable ground again, and shall not go
unless escorted by Congo men. I think these pre-
cautions necessary after what has happened. Oh, I
do pray God to open this road for us, and to lead us
right on to Stanley Pool soon.”

THE MARCH TO STANLEY POOL. {From a Photograph by Mr. Bentley.)

I08 THOMAS J. COMBER.

And, on the point of making this last effort vid
Makuta, he wrote to all at home : “ We have been
tremendously busy packing up, and are now on the
eve of all clearing out of San Salvador, shutting up the
houses and leaving them in charge of the king, and
miaking a grand effort to reach Stanley Pool in two
parties. Crudgington and Bentley, with fifteen Kroo
boys and one Congo man, return to the coast and try
the north bank in the wake of Stanley ; while Hart-
land and I, with eight Kroo boys, eight Congo and six
Moila men, are going to try again vid Makuta. After
a three months’ palaver, the road is said to be free to
us, and we are to pass unmolested. As long as these
natives are with us, there is no danger. You don’t
catch a Congo man running his head into a noose,
any more than you do a weasel asleep. So, if we
can’t get these men with us, we shall return, as it isn’t
right to create disturbances all over the country by
being shot. I am foolish enough to be again very
hopeful. We have carefully sifted and weighed all
reports, etc., and earnestly and constantly prayed for
guidance, and feel that we have been directed in this
matter. There seems to be no danger so far as we
can see, and we can trust to our ‘ Help’s shield.’ The
chief at Ntamo, or Kintamo, on Stanley Pool, has
heard of our efforts to reach him — so reports say —
and is keeping the ‘ big goat,’ which Stanley gave him,
expressly for us ; so if we do get it, we shall try and
send it home, to give it to the noble lady for whom
it was first intended — Baroness Burdett Coutts —
although I fear she’ll find it uncommon tough by
this time. I should dearly like to still sit up (it is
past midnight now) and write a long letter, if not
several. Home letters will, of course, go with me on
the road, and I shall write as soon as an opportunity
occurs.

I could never explain to you the weariness of the
last three days’ palaver here, in arranging everything
with king and people. The Tichborne case is the

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS.

109

only parallel. Our journey will be over, I expect,
before I can ask you specially to pray for us in this
another attempt ; but I know you do not forget the
old boy in Africa.

'' Earnestly trusting that you are all well, and will
not be unnecessarily frightened at our again going to
Makuta, and with much love, I remain, always with
much affection, TOM.’’

But, though Mr. Comber was not personally destined
to reach the Pool by the Makuta road, the courage
and perseverance of the Congo band were at last
triumphantly rewarded. The heroic achievement
was ultimately effected by Mr. Bentley and Mr.
Crudgington, by a route those missionaries forced
from Musuka, to which place on the Lower Congo
they returned, then passed through Vivi, and kept
along the north bank to Stanley Pool.

To describe that remarkable feat would be foreign
to these pages, but it may unhesitatingly be regarded
as one of the most extraordinary in modern travel.

{

CHAPTER IX.

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS, CONTINUED, PREVIOUS
TO REACHING STANLEY POOL.

The attempt to reach the upper river by the
Makuta route again proving impracticable,
Mr. Comber and Mr. Hartland returned to
San Salvador, and went immediately down
to Musuka, with the hope of joining the expedition
on the north bank. In this hope they were disap-
pointed, as Mr. Bentley and Mr. Crudgington were
a week's journey in advance. They did not, however,
retrace their steps until they had reached Kinguvu,
nearly half-way up to the Pool, and only then being
driven back by failing supplies.

En route^ Mr. Comber rested at a station of the
Livingstone Inland Mission ; and afterwards met
with Mr. Stanley, who was superintending the founda-
tion of the Congo Free State, from whom he received
much valuable information.

Whilst on this journey, a letter arrived for Mr.
Comber at Boma, from the British Consul, with the
intelligence that four Jesuits had reached Loanda
from Portugal ; that, under the protection and patron-
age of the Portuguese Government, they were on a
no

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS CONTINUED. 1 1 1

mission to San Salvador, charged with splendid and
costly presents to the king ; and that they were to be
accompanied by naval and military officers of high
rank. When this letter came into Mr. Comber's
hands, he was naturally concerned lest so imposing
a display of force and such a superabundance of gifts
should tura Don Pedro's head.

Whilst waiting for the return of the brethren from
the Pool, Mr. Comber went down to Banana to seek
for more men in view of future operations. When
the missionaries met again, which they did early in
March, i88i, their consultations resulted in a depot
for stores being opened at Musuka ; an earnest re-
quest being sent home for a sectional steel boat ; in
Mr. Crudgington being dispatched to England to
confer with the Committee of the Society, especially
with a view to reinforcements ; and in the three other
missionaries hastening to San Salvador to counteract,
if possible, the harmful influence of the Jesuit
priests.

The last decision was speedily carried into effect,
the journey to San Salvador being accomplished by
an improved route in five days. The reception
welcoming the return of the missionaries was alto-
gether beyond expectation. Their approach had been
heralded by an advance courier. Matoka, one of the
principal men of the place, and who, from the first,
had been their friend, with several others, came forth
to greet them, and when they were inside the town,
the manifestations of pleasure were most demonstrative;

hands everywhere being outstretched to be shaken ;
eyes beaming with glad welcome, and voices raised to
the highest pitch contending for a hearing." They
found that their property had been most carefully
preserved. Whilst they were taking refreshment, who
should appear but two of the Jesuit priests ! They
actually came — so strong are the sympathies of nature,
one touch of which makes the whole world kin —
to request medical help on behalf of their two

1 12 THOMAS J. COMBER.

colleagues, who were ill with fever. After paying their
respects to His Majesty, whom they found glad to see
them, the missionaries proceeded to minister aid to
the sick men whose presence in San Salvador was for
the express purpose of hindering and destroying their
work. And when afterwards they heard the Jesuits
were wanting in food they sent them some of their
best provisions. Here, surely, was an instance of
heaping coals of fire upon an enemy’s head !

Upon inquiry, Mr. Comber and his companions
soon discovered they had very little real reason to fear
from the presence of the priests ; for they found they
were far from popular, and that the people were very
strongly in favour of the English niissionaries.

As soon as the Mission was thoroughly re-establish-
ed, and leaving Mr. Hartland in charge, Mr. Comber
and Mr. Bentley returned to the river to devote their
energies to the planting of the two new stations
between Musuka and the Pool. It was determined to
fix the first at Isangila, and the other at Manyanga.
The labour involved was immense ; fortunately, the
two brethren had now the advantage of Mr. Grenfell’s
presence and assistance. In course of a short time, a
temporary house 36 x 1,2 ft. was built at Isangila, and
some 300 loads — cloth, provisions, etc., were carried up
from Musuka. This new station was to be held by
Mr. Bentley, whilst Mr. Comber and Mr. Grenfell were
to move forward to Manyanga. In this plan, however,
Mr. Cornber was disappointed, for just at this juncture
he was overtaken by a serious attack of fever. It
was decided that as soon as he was convalescent, his
two colleagues should undertake the forward move-
ment, whilst he himself should go down to the coast,
and on to the Kroo country to secure more men. In
referring to this disarrangement of plans, he expressed
himself thus : “ I cannot tell you how disappointing
this is to me, but — like many other Christian African
travellers, Gordon, for instance — I am becoming a sort
of Christian fatalist ; and about all such things I say :

THE RIVER CONGO FROM MUS0KA.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

1 14

at IS all ordered, all inevitable, all God’s will, and
therefore all for the best.’ ”

On his way to the Kroo country he passed within
sight of Victoria. Would that the boat could have
called ! For had not his sister Carrie come to live
there, having undertaken missionary work in connec-
tion with the school, thus realising the long-cherished
desire of her heart ? On his way north, he also passed
the steamer carrying the English mails ; this was
especially trying as having previously heard of the
dangerous illness of his little sister Clara, he was most
anxious to receive his letters. To this sister — a child
of his father’s second family — he was particularly
attached. How dear a place in his affectionate heart
this little girl held, the following two letters will
show. The first is written to this sister.

“ My dearest little Sister, — Although I have
allowed 54 days for this letter to reach you by your
birthday on the 3rd of July, I am afraid it will be too
late. I hope not, because when I send you a birthday
letter, I should like it to be delivered by the postman
on the very morning.

Once more, dearest little Pussie, I have to write to
wish you many happy returns of your birthday. Your
big brother Tom does not forget his little sister,
although he is so far away in Africa. It is now more
than two years since I saw you, and said good-bye to
you ; and, do you know, I should like to see you again
if I could. I wonder if Puss of twelve years old would
jump into my arms and give me good hugs and kisses,
like the smaller Pussie of years gone by, or whether
she would hold out her hand, with a bow, and say ‘ It
gives me great pleasure to see you, Mr. Tom Comber.’
I think I know which it would be. Only don’t you
go for to come for to think, that I am coming home
suddenly and quickly again, to surprise you — as I did
two and a-half years ago; because I mean to try to do
a lot of work before I come home this time. I wonder

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS CONTINUED. II5

if my dear little sister, when she sometimes thinks
about me, as I feel she does now and then, if she ever
thinks why Tom has left his country, his home, his dear,
loving friends, to come to a country like Africa, perhaps
to be shot. Why do I do it ? Why does your sister
Carrie do it? For Jesus’ sake, dear Clara. Because
our dear Saviour Jesus, who loves us so much, asks us
to do it. So we have given up our lives to Him, just
as you might give something to mamma or papa,
because you love them. You understand, don’t you ?
I don’t like to be away from you all like this, but
Jesus has asked me to come to Africa to teach the
poor Africans about His love. Has my dear little
sister ever yet thought of giving anything to Jesus?
or doing anything specially for Him ? She can’t come
out to Africa. That kind of work is for bigger people.
But I daresay Clara could find something to offer
Jesus. I wonder if she could think of anything. Let
it but be offered out of love to Him, and He’ll be so
pleased to accept it. I do wish you could think of
something. I do hope, darling, you will have a
happy birthday, and that you will have a very happy
year, so that when you are thirteen years old — in 1882,
you can look back upon it with pleasure and happiness.
O Clara, dear ! parties are pleasant, concerts, days at
Greenwich or the Crystal Palace very good and enjoy-
able ; home, sweet home, and the love of father, and
mother, sisters and brothers, are better and happier
still, but there is nothing that makes us so thoroughly
happy as the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I do
believe my dear little sister is trying to be one of
Christ’s disciples. There, now ! my birthday sermon
is done, and I believe my dear Pussie will think about
it and remember it. I was so glad to see dear Carrie
a few months ago at Victoria. She looked so well.
She told me how nicely you were getting on — especi-
ally with your music. Now, you have not written to
me for a long time. It ’s too bad ! I want to know
all about you, your lessons, your new home, etc.

Il6 . THOMAS J. COMBER.

I want a letter of three or four well-filled sheets. Do
write soon. I hope dear ma is well. Also dear father,
Tuke, and Harry. My best love to them all.

I Ve got several more letters to write, and want to
send them off to-day, so I must say good-bye to my
dearest little sister. I blow you a good kiss, and hope
the breeze will carry it. — Ever your loving brother,

‘‘ Tom.’’

On receipt of the sad tidings of her death, Mr.
Comber wrote home in the following tender strains : —

‘‘I only heard the sad news yesterday about our
darling’s death; my heart is brim full of pity and
sorrow on my own behalf, but chiefly upon yours.
Sweet, precious, little darling! Oh, how she, with
her clinging, loving disposition, wound herself round
all our hearts. Poor ma ! poor father 1 The gracious
Lord, loving and tender, the God of all comfort, bind
up your bruised and bleeding hearts ; and, as He can,
make this sad, terrible affliction, turn into blessing.
Oh, how different home will be without darling little
Clara, my little pet, Pussie. I think you both know
how much I loved her. I never loved any little one
as I did her, and besides my own precious little wife,
I have scarcely ever called any one ‘ my darling ’ as
I have dearest little Pussie. She was without excep-
tion the sweetest, most loving little spirit I ever met.
And I have been anxiously and yet hopefully watch-
ing her growing-up, and praying for all the Saviour’s
richest and tenderest care and blessing to rest upon
her. But she is such a ‘precious jewel’ of the
Saviour’s that He has taken her to His own bosom,
to care for her Himself. ‘ What is a jewel, Tom ? ’
she once asked me while we were singing ‘ When He
cometh to make up His Jewels.’ Now the little darling
knows what Christ’s jewels are, and how precious to
Him are His ‘little children who love their Redeemer.’
I can hardly see to write, as I think of her sitting on
ma’s lap, and speaking to you just before Jesus took

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS CONTINUED. II7

her to Himself. I seem to hear the words she said —
the half-frightened fluttering cry — ‘ Oh, papa ! what
shall I do?’ And, in the knowledge that Jesus was
to be henceforth mother and father to her — the trust-
ing, simple child’s cry, ‘O Jesus, do be quick.’ How
much Jesus must love this child-like, trusting sim-
plicity, when He tells us we must all ‘ become as
little children.’ Ma dear! my poor father! You
have had the sweetest, dearest little soul I have ever
known. She is yours. God gave her to you. She
belongs to you more than to any one else, except her
Saviour, to whom we all owe ourselves, body, soul,
and spirit. She is your ‘ treasure,’ though taken from
you for awhile, so that your affections may be drawn
to and centred in heaven. She, little Muriel, my
Minnie, my own dear mother, Margie — all safely
home— -out of the tossing billows of our stormy life.
Hail to the day when we shall also be there I They’ll
be watching and waiting for us. All our weariness,
doubts, disappointments, sorrows, will be at an end
when we reach our Father’s house. Dear ma ! dear
father ! A perfectly wise and lovingly tender Father
is carefully planning our lives. Trees planted by
Himself — He hedges us round, trains us up, waters
us, sometimes prunes us even, taking off little tender
shoots which are part of ourselves — as He has done
with little Clara ; and all is done with wise and loving
intent. He does not leave us to straggle up wild.
It is not chance or fate. He knows, He cares, He
does all — wisely and well. I don’t know what to say
to comfort you. I must leave you to the only One
who, as the great skilful Physician, can apply the balm
of comfort to your hearts. When my Minnie was
taken away, it did me good to have loving hearts
recalling to me all that was so dear in her. I hope
that my words — meant to strengthen and help, if God
will use them thus — will not make your hearts more
sad. I cannot tell you how sorry I feel for you both.
I think you will find, as I did, that the memory of her

ii8

THOMAS J. COMBER.

is not one that would be drowned because of the sad-
ness of her going away. It is sweet to me to think
of my Minnie, and the time will come when— in the
assurance of a Redeemer’s love, and of a reunion — the
memory of our darling little Clara will be sweet and
helpful to you, and not altogether sad.”

The steamer that carried the mail had also on
board Mr. Crudgington, returning from England,
who was accompanied by one new missionary — Mr.
Dixon ; one of six — six being the least number which
it had been felt the exigencies of the Mission
demanded. On finding their strength was only
increased by the addition of one new man, Mr.
Comber was much disappointed. However, he looked
up to the God of heaven, and in trustful confidence
determined to go forward, hoping that soon the full
contingent asked for would be forthcoming. He
knew that upon Mr. Baynes, the General Secretary of
the Society, who had done so much to inspire interest
in the Congo Mission, he could fully depend. Very
soon after Mr. Crudgington left England with Mr.
Dixon, another missionary, in the person of Mr.
Weeks, was sent out, who again was followed almost
immediately by IVfr. Butcher.

The appeal for a sectional steel boat was not made
in vain, a friend at Plymouth, after the name of which
town it was named, supplying the need. This par-
ticular boat was required for navigation along the
reach on the lower river between Isangila and
Manyanga. From Musuka it was conveyed by water
as far as Vivi. At the time of its conveyance the
Congo was in flood ; and Mr. Comber described the
effort as being terribly wild work in boiling, seething
water, rapids, whirlpools, and cauldrons. The land
transport also involved great labour and no little
anxiety, owing largely to the scarcity of carriers
obtainable in the country itself, and the disgust of the
Kroo boys in having to go over the same ground as
many as fourteen times. The journey, though only a

EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS CONTINUED. II9

distance of fifty miles, and usually traversed in three
days, occupied not less than three months. But the
Plymouth was worth all the trouble of transport, for
on being launched at Isangila she could carry as much
cargo as forty carriers.

Mr. Comber now felt that the Congo Mission in its
broader intentions and wider programme was “getting
under weigh ; ” that soon their stations would become
something more than mere depots. The urgent need,
however, he continually felt was “ more men, more
men.” He wondered why it was so difficult amongst
the thousands of earnest Christian young men in
London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and
other towns, to find six suitable volunteers. “ Six
men, forsooth ! Why, as Bentley says, ^ If it were a
gold mine we had discovered, it would be very easy
to find men ready to come to Africa.’ ”

About this time Mr. Grenfell visited England to
superintend the building of the steamer the Peace^
required for use on the Upper Congo/ above Stanley
Pool, which steamer had been most generously pre-
sented to the Society, with provision for its mainten-
ance, by Mr. Arthington.

CHAPTER X.

LIFE AND LABOURS, MAINLY ON THE UPPER CONGO.

I N an interview with Mr. Stanley, Mr. Comber had
made arrangements for a site for the new station
at the Pool; and deeming it of the utmost import-
ance that the site should be obtained, he hast-
ened without delay to secure it. This was his first
visit to Stanley Pool, the date being July, 1882. The
journey occupied eight days, and was accomplished
without difficulty. He was received most kindly by
Lieut. Braconnier, whom Stanley had left in charge of
Leopoldville, the State station. Immediately on his
arrival he proceeded to Kintamo, the native town, to
pay his respects to the great Nga Liema — that
important man and his people being real, untamed
savages. He had never seen such individuals before :
'‘wild and ferocious in appearance, with eyebrows
shaved off, and eyelashes pulled out, streaks of red
and yellow ochre and chalk encircling their eyes.” A
good present had a soothing effect upon Nga Liema,
so that he listened to what Mr. Comber had to say,
and expressed himself pleased at the prospect of his
coming to live amongst his people, especially as the
missionary practised the healing art. “But,” wrote
120

KINTAMO, STANLEY POOL, CONGO RIVER.

122

THOMAS J. COMBER.

Mr. Comber, “ Nga Liema must be something awful
when he is worked up into a passion ; it must be our
work, however, to try and get an influence over him,
and make his savage nature tame and tractable. May
the Lord help us in this, give us this influence over
him, and by His Holy Spirit soften and humanise
the spirit of Nga Liema. There are a few nice boys
in the town, whom we shall try as soon as possible
to get under our influence.”

When the arrangements for the new site were carried
into effect, Mr. Comber, leaving one of his party to
clear the ground, went down again to Many an ga.
Whilst there he wrote as under to his old and dear
friend, Mr. Rickards : — When you read this, it will be
six years since I left England to serve Christ in
Africa. During this time it has not been my lot to go
in a groove. Little of sameness and plenty of vicissi-
tudes have fallen to my share. I have not chosen my
way or my department of work. He has given it to
me to do, and has upholden me in it, so that in this
dark and great land I have been able in a small way
to ‘ prepare the way of the Lord,’ and to a little extent
to ‘ make straight ’ in Cameroons and Congo a high-
way.’ I feel now that my work in this department
may be drawing to a close, and that I shall be settling
down at Stanley Pool. Whether so or not, I know
that He will guide me and show me the way I am to
take. As to Congo here, my very dear colleagues, all
‘ good men and true,’ and myself, have just about com-
pleted our difficult first work, and the magnificent
thousand miles and more of unimpeded water-way is
open to us, with all the great tribes and myriads ot
dark sinful souls on its banks, and those of its great
affluents. We have established our five stations, and
commenced work in some measure at each. It has
been a difficult work, and we have had to stick to it,
shoulder by shoulder, in frequent disappointments
and sometimes blows ‘ heavy and hard to bear ; ’ but
our loving Father has been pleased to deal very

LIFE AND LABOURS ON THE UPPER CONGO. 1 23

graciously with our beloved Congo Mission, with its
work and its staff. It is terrible to read the statistics of
our contemporaries — the Livingstone Inland Mission
and the African International Association — Stanley's.
They are as follows (reckoning Grenfell and his three
new hands expected to arrive at Banana) : —

B.M.S. Loss by Death, i. Returned, o. In Africa, ii. Total, 12.
L.LIM. „ 8. „ 14* i> 15* ?> 37*

A. LA. ,, II. „ 14* >j 37*

Does it not seem marvellous, God's care of and good-
ness to us ? "

On Mr. Bentley's return to Manyanga, Mr. Comber
was set free, and went up again to the Pool to begin
building operations ; the Belgians receiving him with
their former kindness. He soon made friends with
the people round about, and put up the framework of
a house ; but when he had partly thatched the roof, he
was overtaken with a fever, similar to that at Isangila
and San Salvador. By this illness he was hindered a
month, but towards the end of November he had fully
recovered, and was able to complete and take posses-
sion of his new house, and proceed to the erection of
other necessary buildings.

“ Fancy ! ” Mr. Comber wrote to his father, on the
27th of December, “ Fancy ! your letters came on
Christmas day. I was expecting a caravan, and per-
haps Bentley, on that day (he had been alone for two
months), and just as dinner was getting ready I walked
out a little way along the Manyanga road, spied the
Union Jack of my caravan from Manyanga, and got
my letters — though no Bentley arrived. Dinner was
a failure altogether. A leg of a goat, who might have
been 100 years old, baked in a baking-pot with sage
and onions — all dried up to a cinder, and as tough as
an old bachelor hippopotamus, a little boiled fish, the
numerous bones of which threatened to choke me, and
a Morton's plum-pudding. Fact is, I had no appetite.
I 'd read, whilst eating my fish, the letters from my

124 THOMAS J. COMBER.

colleagues down below, one or two of which showed
things were not going altogether straight, and then I
had a heap of dear home letters by my side to read.
I soon got some coffee, and ‘ set to ’ at my delightful
task— yours, Sid^s, a scrap from Percy, two from Carrie,
the usual batch from Kilburn, Mr. Rickards, Emmie,
Sallie and Charlie’s, such a letter from Mr. Baynes,
Grenfell, &c. — it was a treat and no mistake. Three
hours of steady, delightful reading ; and such letters
— especially of Mr. Baynes. My blood tingled, I felt
my hair tending to stand on end, and, although it was
a cool day, I perspired so profusely that I was con-
stantly mopping, and had to change shirt and singlet
in the middle, and again directly after reading
through. I ’m sure it wasn’t the coffee I was drinking
which made me so perspire ; ’twas the letters. Then
the nervous and mental effect of thern was very
strange. They almost made me seedy, and I had to
put them altogether aside for a time and lie down.
But, oh ! it was a glorious mail, and was partly my
Christmas ‘ good-tidings.’ ”

A few weeks before this date, the Congo band was
strengthened by the addition of two new missionaries
— Mr. Moolenaar and Mr. Hughes — who were shortly
followed by Mr. Grenfell bringing a third in the per-
son of Mr. Doke. The latter two brethren were
entrusted with the precious cargo, the which

steamer had been built by Messrs. Thornycroft, and
constructed in sections for overland transport. As
the onerous labour of carrying up this vessel to the
Pool was under the superintendence of Mr. Grenfell,
an account of the way in which this transport was
effected does not properly belong to these pages. It
will, however, be readily understood that during the
time the eight hundred loads were being conveyed to
their destination, the transit was a matter of no small
anxiety to Mr. Comber. What he thought of the
memorable achievement, so successfully performed by
Mr. Grenfell, may be, seen from the terms in which he

UNDERHILL, OR TUNDUWA STATION, CONGO RIVER

126

THOMAS J. COMBER.

wrote to Mrs. Hartland : — You will have heard how
good God has been to us, especially in the matter of
the steamer — ^how dear old Grenfell has alone accom-
plished the gigantic task of reconstructing her. I can
tell you we are proud of Grenfell, and thankful to
God for him.’*

But, during the period between the unloading of the
Peace at Underhill (Tunduwa), in January, 1883, and
its reconstruction and launch at Stanley Pool in June,
1884, heavy trials overtook the Congo Mission. In
three weeks after his arrival, Mr. Doke was smitten
down by fever ; and in three months after Mr. Doke*s
early death, Mr. Hartland was called away, his
decease taking place at Bayneston (Vunda). Mr.
Comber, who was on a visitation of the stations, heard
at Manyanga of his friend’s serious illness, and at once
hastened down to be with him. He found all that
could be done was being done, but with no success.
The dying missionary was, however, except at short
intervals, perfectly conscious, and the intercourse
between the two friends who were so closely attached
was as wrapt as it was solemn. The pathetic account
sent by Mr. Comber to Mrs. Hartland has appeared
in the Missionary Herald^ but must not be omitted
here : —

'' During all day, Friday, and during half of the
following night, I was constantly talking to him and
sitting by his side. And, oh, what talks we had !
What glorious words he spoke ! His reluctance
entirely disappeared, and he was only anxious to
depart. What words of faith, trustfulness, and peace
did he speak. ^Whether He wants you to serve Him
here longer, or wishes you to go to His service in
heaven, you’re satisfied and willing, aren’t you, John?’
‘ Oh, yes ; it ’s all right now ; I ’m so glad, and to be
with Christ is far better. I do want to see Him and
be with Him. I ’m so glad.’ And then towards
mid-day, as every hour I thought would be his last,
with'my hands clasped in his, we seemed to go so

LIFE AND LABOURS ON THE UPPER CONGO. 12/

near to the boundary line. And some such solemn
words were spoken, some of them almost too solemn
to speak about: ‘O John,’ said I, ‘perhaps in an
hour you will be there, you will see the Saviour, and
be at His feet; O John!* ‘O Tom!* was all at
the moment he said, with a voice full of solemnity
and earnest feeling ; presently afterwards, ‘ I shall be
like Him, for I shall see Him as He is. It *s all right ;
it must be right* ‘Yes, John, Jesus is faithful and
trustworthy.* ‘Oh, yes; if Jesus stands, I stand; if
He falls only, I fall. O Christ! simply to Thy
cross I cling. My trust, my hope is in Thee.*

At times he would look into the darkness of the
valley with a little dread. ‘ Oh, I don’t know what
it *s like. I do hope Satan will not come and torment
me with doubts. Jesus, hold me tight ; hold me with
Thy powerful hand.* And Jesus did hold him tightly
all the time.

“ Much did we talk of our very dear work together
at Camden Road Children’s Service, and of the rich
blessings we ourselves obtained while trying to bless
and help the dear little ones ; and once when I said
to him, ‘John, when you are in heaven, you’ll, if
possible, help us still ; and perhaps, as Holman says,
be better able to help us there than you are here.*
‘ Oh yes, I shall be always interceding for you all, and
also for our dear young friends at Camden.* And so
passed the last day but one ; happy, holy communings,
with sometimes throbbing hearts and burning tears,
as awful and blessed things were realised, and the
heavenly home seemed so close. Sometimes he
wished me to read or sing to him. ‘ Sing “ Rock of
Ages ** or “ Jesus, Lover of my soul.” * Every hour we
were expecting the Master to come and call for him.

“Saturday morning dawned and found us still
watching and waiting. As full daylight came, I blew
out the candles and flung open the windows. ‘ The
light of another day, John. How little yesterday we
expected this. Perhaps He is intending to keep you

128

THOMAS J. COMBER.

here. Whether you go or stay — or whether, if you
go, He takes you quickly, or leaves you lingering and
waiting — you believe He will do the best, don’t you,
John?’ ^Ah, yes. He knows best. Just as He wills.’
But the day was sppnt in weary waiting, and his
heart’s desire seemed to be, ‘Come, Lord Je^us.’
Parting directions about certain matters were given ;
loving thoughts always reverting to his dear home,
and especially to his mother and Gwennie ; and
occasionally singing a hymn or speaking some of the
gracious, blessed words of the Master and Saviour—
we waited. He was full of peace, rest, and glad hope,
listening for the Saviour’s voice — we, his grieving
colleagues, were also waiting and expectant. At the
close of the afternoon he occasionally wandered, but
a word or pressure of the hand always recalled him.

“Just about six o’clock he opened his eyes with a
look of surprise and awe, and, raising his hand up,
kept it pointing upwards. His breath became more
and more feeble and gasping, and for half-an-hour he
said nothing, and I thought he would pass away thus.
But just before a quarter to seven he opened his eyes
fully, and feeling ‘ the time was at hand,’ he struggled
over to the other side of the bed, and looking up,
cried out : ‘ Christ is all in all ; Christ is all in all.
Let me go, my friends. Don’t hold me back. Let
me go, Tom. I must go. I want to go to Him.
Simply to Thy cross I cling. Let me go ! ’ His
struggles ceased. I put my hand to his pulse. Dear
John had gone. He was with his Saviour. Oh, my
dear Mrs. Hartland, the dear Lord comfort and help
us all — especially you, his mother, Gwennie Thomas,
who had given her love to him, and her heart
and life to Africa, his sisters, his father. I can
only plead for you all. I know how dear he was to
you all. For us of the Congo Mission, we have lost
not only a dear and loved colleague — and you know
how much we love each other — but one of our old,
long-tried, and experienced brothers.

LIFE AND LABOURS ON THE UPPER CONGO. 1 29

‘‘ For myself, as you know, our friendship was eight
years old. Hand-in-hand we worked for the dear
children at Camden. Glorious work, and hand-in-hand
we worked for the redemption of the ‘ Dark Continent,’
the time — the set time — to ‘favour’ which is come.
Let my last end be like his.”

Having readjusted affairs at Bayneston (Vunda),
required by Mr. Hartland’s death, Mr. Comber pro-
ceeded to Underhill (Tunduwa), and thence to San
Salvador, taking his boy Mantu, according to promise,
to visit his friends. After three months’ difficult and
anxious work, journeying no less than 700 miles, he
returned to the Pool, where, for a season, he and
Mr. Bentley, with some measure of quiet, were able to
pursue their labours. The time was spent in finishing
the buildings, acquiring the language, healing the
sick, endeavouring to secure boys for the school, and
to favourably influence the people. It was during this
period that a complete circuit was made of the Pool,
occupying three days, and it was found to be six
times the size Stanley had indicated — being about
two and a-half times the size of the Isle of Wight.
Hippopotami in large numbers were seen, sometimes
as many as twenty in one herd. After passing a
place called Mfwa an enormous crocodile made an
attack upon the boat, but was successfully disposed
of by a Martini bullet. As to the population it was
discovered that the greater part were dwelling on the
south-eastern shore.

In March, 1884, Mr. Comber was again called away
from the Pool to Manyanga by the death of Mr.
Hartley and two engineers, which calamity, in all
human probability, was occasioned by over eagerness,
and want of care in changing wet clothes. Mr. Comber
felt these fatalities as a most dreadful blow, and
feared they would appal the friends of the Mission in
England, who would begin to think they were careless
about precious lives in Africa.

As a further trial, it was found necessary to send

130 THOMAS J. COMBER.

home Mr. Ross in consequence of a partial sunstroke,
and this when he was giving great promise of much
usefulness, and could ill be spared.

In the following month, however, Mr. Comber was
greatly cheered by the arrival at Manyanga of his
brother Sidney. He had been kept on the thorns of
fidgety expectation for a week or so, and had many
a rush to the beach for nothing, until at last he
descried a white umbrella in the distance on the south
bank ; very quickly did he cross the mighty Congo in
the Plymouth^ and, after five years’ absence from each
other, they met. He was delighted to see him once
again, and to find that he was well and scarcely
fatigued with his march. “ What a lot we had to talk
about ! This was on the 27th of March. Three days
afterwards Stanley came down, and that caused
plenty of work, as there were interviews, writing, etc.
Then we went for a trip to Ngombe — eight hours
away — to see Sid’s future sphere, and choose site for
building. It is astonishing to me how little Sid has
changed in five years. The same manner, expression
of face ; naturally being older, and having spent four
years at the hospital, he bears himself better, and has
more ideas, and a stronger individuality, but in many
ways he is unchanged, and I am very glad. I most
earnestly trust he will make a useful missionary, with
his heart bound up with his work ; if he become
absorbed in the life and work he has chosen, he will
be contented in and through all.”

Ngombe, the station referred to above, was about
this time substituted for Manyanga, as it was deemed
more suitable, both for convenience of situation and
health considerations.

In the same letter in which he described his delight
at receiving his brother Sidney, he also referred to
the recent losses the Mission had sustained, not only
through death, but as well by the return to England
of Mr. Whitley and Mr. and Mrs. Crudgington in
consequence of sickness. ‘‘ Do people,” he exclaims,

THE MISSION STEAMER PEACE.

132

THOMAS J. COMBER.

“ fancy we have made a mistake, and the Gospel is
not to be preached in Central Africa ? Let them
take a lesson from the Soudan. When Hicks Pasha
and party are cut off, they only send out a bigger
pasha and a bigger party. Gordon is coming out, we
hear, in Stanley’s place. We want some good men
of Gordon’s stamp, fearless and resolute, to whom
death is not bitter, and whom trial and difficulty do
not daunt. Men with unswerving purpose, who glory
in the hard, fast bonds of duty ; men to whom the
Congo Mission shall be the one thing in life — all-
absorbing, all-engrossing, and who will be ready for
any phase of its many-sided work. I wish I could
stay out here until we had a great story to tell of the
power of the Cross of Christ in and over the hearts
and lives of men ; but this is like the sunrise in our
own country — slow and gradual, heralded by a slowly
perceptible dawn.”

Mr. Comber was much sustained at this time by
the fact of Mr. Bentley having gone to England,
knowing, as he did, that he was fully qualified to
represent the circumstances and needs of the Mission,
as well as to prosecute the literary pursuits which had
taken him home — pursuits necessary for the prepara-
tion of the Congo Dictionary and Grammar.

We have already referred to the successful launch
of the Peace, Great was Mr. Comber’s delight
when, on his return to Stanley Pool, after settling
his brother in the new station of Ngombe, he saw the
steamer floating prettily alongside a wharf on the
beach. The trial trip at once took place, and with
great success ; and then, with as little delay as pos-
sible, Mr. Comber prepared for the realisation at last
of his ardently cherished desire — a long journey on
the Upper Congo into the far interior of the ‘‘Dark
Continent.” It was fitting that the old companion of
Cameroons days — Mr. Grenfell — ^and himself should
take this first expedition. They had on board with
them one distinguished passenger — Sir Francis de

LIFE AND LABOURS ON THE UPPER CONGO. 1 33

Winton, K.C.B. Great was their joy to find in Sir
Francis a Christian man, ‘'who knelt and sang together
with us every evening ; ” and “ who took a very real
and sympathetic interest in every phase of our work.’’
This journey occupied, in going and returning, five
weeks. It extended as far as Liboko, five hundred
miles up the river, about half-way to Stanley Falls.
It was accomplished with little difficulty : the steamer
was easy of management, the river was perfectly
navigable, the people were peaceable, food and fuel
were abundant. In relation to future missionary oper-
ations the journey was felt to be most important. A
considerable knowledge of the country and of the
native tribes had been gained ; and three sites for
mission stations had been selected. After giving a
detailed report of this journey to Mr. Baynes, Mr.
Comber concluded thus : “ Such is the first journey
of the Peace into countries new and among peoples
strange. It was our constant regret that we could
not make it more of a missionary journey — that is, in
teaching and preaching ; but that was impossible,
chiefly because we knew so little of the language.
We have, however, done a little more preliminary
work, which is none the less our ‘ Father’s business.’
Oh, for the time when, settling amongst these people,
there shall be servants of God, teachers of His Word,
to show these heathen the Christian life, and to try to
draw them home to God ! Oh, will kind friends in
England respond? We can but appeal and plead
and cry. We can only pray, ‘ The Lord hasten it
in His time.’ ”

The period had now come when it was in every
way desirable that Mr. Comber should be journeying
homewards. On going down river, further trouble
awaited him. It was his sad lot to witness the
death at Manyanga of Mr. Minns, an engineer
who had been sent out to assist Mr. Grenfell, as
well as to receive the information of the decease
of Mr. Craven, of the Livingstone Inland Mis-

134

THOMAS J. COMBER.

sion. His home-coming was naturally delayed
by a visit to his sister Carrie at Victoria.
Just before quitting Banana he penned the
following lines to his old friend and pastor, Dr.
Stanford : —

“ Although I have many excuses to offer, yet I feel
much ashamed at not writing to you for so long a
time, especially as you have had sorrow upon sorrow
during late years ; and if you have sometimes thought
of your old boy, ^Tom Comber,’ you must have
thought also that he was neglectful of one of his
earliest and best of friends. But I do not think
you will judge me too hardly. I can scarcely tell you
how difficult letter writing has been to me in this
still pioneer stage of the Congo Mission, in its
extensive and difficult programme. As the senior
of the Mission, very much correspondence with
my brethren scattered over Congo Land has
fallen upon me. My business correspondence with
Congo brethren and with Castle Street finished,
I have seldom had time to do more than write a
few letters home to my father or brothers, and thus
I have seemed very neglectful, I fear, of many old
and dear friends.

“ Believe me, my dear old pastor, I have felt full
of sympathy for you time after time, as I have read
paragraphs in ‘ Freeman ’ or ‘ Baptist,’ or heard from
my father or the Rickards of the afflictions of body
from which you have suffered. It grieves me much
to think that when I come home, my old friend’s eyes
(but not his heart) will be closed to me. I shall miss
the look of kindly (and anxious) interest with which
you received me upon my return to England six years
ago. But I shall know none the less the interest is
there, and that you lift up your heart constantly for
me, and for such as me, in prayer that we may be
kept earnest and true and holy, and that the promises
of our gracious God, which you read at my farewell
meeting eight years ago, may be fulfilled in me : ‘ I

LIFE AND LABOURS ON THE UPPER CONGO. 1 35

will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer.
Fear not, thou worm Jacob. I will make thee a new
sharp threshing instrument, having teeth ; thou shalt
thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shalt
make the hills as chaff. ... I will make the wilder-
ness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of
water.’

“ Often, too, has my pulse been quickened and my
heart thrilled, as was the case in my boyhood when I
sat in my pew at Denmark Place, as I have read an
address or sermon of yours, and I have almost heard
again the same earnest tones and the helpful words,
which have refreshed and revived not only me, your
old boy and the member of your church, but also my
brethren with me.

‘‘The gracious Lord be doubly gracious to you,
dear Dr. Stanford, in these your later days, and give
you calm joy and holy peace in the afternoon and
evening of your life, blessing your words and prayers
much to others, to their salvation and sanctification.
How often, on the Sundays I have spent in Africa,
far from the congregation, from the choir of praise,
from the kneeling band of worshippers, in the midst of
heathendom, indifferent heathendom often, wretched
heathendom always, in loneliness of spirit and
solitude of heart, have I wished myself among
you at Denmark Place, and have tried to live over
again in spirit the old Sundays of my youth! I
am almost homeward-bound now, and about the end
of February hope once more to see you all. Till
then, farewell !

Before Mr. Comber left Africa he had the satisfac-
tion of knowing that the Mission staff was strength-
ened by the addition of Messrs. Darling, Cruikshank,
Cameron, and M‘Millan. He was accompanied on
the voyage by his native boys Mantu and Lutunu,
and also had under his care Mr. Grenfell’s little girl
Patty.

CHAPTER XL

HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA.

/^\ H ! how glad I shall be to see you once more.

I I The time will soon pass away now, and we ’ll
meet at Euston or some other London ter-
minus, and get a cabby, and try to talk while
noisily rattling over the London streets, and if we
can’t hear each other, we’ll look at one another.
That ’ll be a great deal after nearly six years ; ” thus
wrote Mr. Comber to his father. It was in the middle
of January, 1885, when his ardent desires for fellow-
ship with dear ones at home were at length gratified.
The welcome accorded him, not simply by those of
his own more immediate circle, but by ‘‘troops of
friends,” was most refreshing to his spirit. Many
individuals throughout the country had followed his
heroic career with prayerful interest, and had deeply
felt for him in his great personal sorrow and in the
repeated losses which had overtaken the Mission.
It was not surprising, therefore, that he should receive
numerous assurances, both privately and publicly, of
sincere appreciation and of tender sympathy.

He had scarcely, however, been in the home country
more than a month, before the gladness of this
136

HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA. 1 37

reunion was marred by the distressing tidings of his
brother Sidney’s death. How this terribly sad
intelligence was received may be gathered from a
letter he prepared for the Herald \ — “The work of
the Congo Mission,” he wrote, “has found its way
deep down into almost all hearts, and the interest in
it has extended very widely to those engaged in it.
To very many personally, and to all by name, most
of us are known, and I am quite sure that a large
number of dear friends will be praying for us by
name that in this trial our faith and strength fail
not

“ The news of my brother Sidney’s death is a terrible
blow to us, almost overwhelming, especially to the
dear brave girl who was looking forward to spending
her life with him in Africa, and to our father. To
our sister, too, in Victoria, it will be a dreadful shock ;
her brothers are all so precious to her. Yesterday
we had to break the news to our father. It has, as
you can understand, plunged him into deep grief, and
yet he cannot and does not regret having given up
his children to be missionaries. The thought of the
work to which Sidney had given himself, and in
which he died, afforded some alleviation to his
anguish. But, still, it is very hard to bear. Hitherto,
since the death of a little sister twenty-five years ago,
we have had no break in my mother’s family of one
girl and three boys. Twenty years ago our dear
mother, after committing us all to the care of our
Heavenly Father, was called away home, and we
were left to comfort our father. One after another,
we have all given ourselves to mission work in Africa
— my brother Sidney and I were on the Congo, my
sister in Victoria, and Percy, my youngest brother, is
preparing at Regent’s Park College for the same
work. Now has come the first break in this family.
. . , Like many other things which have happened
in our Congo Mission, we cannot understand it, and
we are bewildered. But we know and serve One

138

THOMAS J. COMBER,

who said, ‘What I do thou knowest not now, but
thou shalt know hereafter/ We have already ven-
tured so far with Him, and trusted so much with
Him, ‘not knowing’ or understanding, and nothing
shall shake our confidence in Him. He cannot have
made a mistake. He has not ‘ blundered.’ . . . Some
of us, had we ten lives, would cheerfully lay them all
down at our Master’s feet for work in Africa.”

As the time for the annual meeting of the Society
approached, it was widely expected that Mr. Comber
would be present and speak. This expectation was
not disappointed. On the occasion, Exeter Hall was
unusually crowded. With a heart weighted by grief
on account of the intelligence just arrived, of a
further Congo loss, he rose to address the vast and
highly sympathetic assembly. He urged the friends
of the Mission not to be daunted, inasmuch as they
were engaged in a high and holy quest, on which
they had been sent by their great King. He trusted
there would be no talk of reconsideration, lest they
should be accounted unworthy, and be deprived of
their great commission. With much effect he quoted
the well-known scripture: “Verily, verily, I say unto
you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and
die, it abideth alone ; but if it die, it bringeth forth
much fruit.” And then he proceeded to encourage
the patience and faith of his hearers by referring to
the early trials and frequent losses, but ultimate
success, of the Mission at Accra, as well as by
recounting the signs of promise appearing in their
own Congo work, especially at San Salvador.

The Royal Geographical Society, of which he was
a fellow, was naturally desirous to receive such
information as he might be able to impart. He was
therefore, a second time honoured with an invitation
to address that body, and accordingly read an able
and instructive paper relative to the explorations
which Mr. Grenfell and he himself had made on the
Congo, from Stanley Pool to Mangala, and up the

Sidney Comber.

Carrie Comber.

Thomas J.

Comber.

FIVE PORTRAITS OF THE COMBER FAMILY,

140

THOMAS J. COMBER.

Bochini to the junction of the Kwango. Several
distinguished members of the Society were present,
amongst them being : Sir Henry Rawlinson, Sir
Frederic Goldsmid, Sir Erasmus Ommanney, Mr.
Johnston, Mr. Delmar Morgan, the last of whom had
met Mr. Comber at Stanley Pool, and had accom-
panied him on a visit to the great chief Nga Liema.
Mr. Guinness of the Livingstone Mission was also
present. The paper was adjudged to be of great
geographical value. In proposing a vote of thanks,
the chairman expressed his regret at the unavoidable
absence of Mr. Stanley. It was hoped he would
have attended, but the date was inconvenient.

A public opportunity for Mr. Comber and Mr.
Stanley to meet was, however, near at hand. On the
28th of May, the celebrated African traveller was
invited by the Missionary Society to a breakfast at
the Cannon Street Hotel. On this memorable
occasion, the chair was occupied by Mr. Joseph
Tritton, the then treasurer, who welcomed Mr.
Stanley in terms he so well knew how to use, of
excellent propriety and chaste beauty. Mr. Comber
made honourable mention of his frequent personal
intercourse with their guest ; of their talks together
about Livingstone, and the needs and future of
Africa. He told an amusing story, how that one
morning visiting Mr. Stanley early at Leopoldville,
on a matter of business, and with a somewhat
neglected toilet, instead of saying, ''Why, Mr. Comber,
you haven’t shaved lately,” he began talking about
Dr. Livingstone, and remarked how particular and
careful the doctor always was as to his personal
appearance in Central Africa, never allowing a day to
pass, for instance, without shaving. Of course,
observed Mr. Comber, I understood the allusion and
remembered Mr. Stanley’s kindly hint afterwards.
During his speech, Mr. Comber again and again
gratefully recognised the kind help shown, not only
to his own Mission, but to those of other societies.

HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA. I4I

After the presentation of an engraved address, Mr.
Stanley responded, bearing in the course of a char-
acteristic address, most generous but just testimony
to the labours of Mr. Comber and of other Christian
missionaries.

During his sojourn at home, Mr. Comber wrote,
at the request of the Committee, a manual of a
hundred pages for the use of missionaries to the
Congo, containing, as the outcome of his own experi-
ence, most important directions, hints and warnings.
Two other manuals appeared at the same time, one
written by Dr. Frederic Roberts, and the other by
Dr. Prosser James, the latter taking the form of
familiar letters addressed to Mr. Comber, and to
which Mr. Comber himself wrote an introduction.

And so the few months to be spent in the old
country passed busily and rapidly away. The
necessities of the work in Africa, and the departure of
several new missionaries, whom it was desirable he
should accompany, brought his furlough to an end in
the month of August. A few days before he left, he
wrote to his esteemed friend, Mr. Parkinson : “ Not-
withstanding the driving work and anxiety since my
return, I seem to have drunk to the full the pleasures
of knowing what dear friends I have, and yet whom
I seem to have seen so little. The knowledge of
affectionate regard and sympathy, so much greater
than I am worthy of, will cheer, console and nerve
me, but will make me long to see you all again.
I shall have many tinglings of pleasure-pain from
mingled reflections. But what is before me, I know
not. So long as our Father guides my steps, I fear
nothing. I want it to be ‘for me to live, Christ,’
always and in everything. I sometimes wonder
whether this will be my last visit to England.”

A deeply interesting valedictory service was held in
Camden Road Chapel, an address being delivered by
the Rev. S. H. Booth, which was followed by another
meeting of the same character at Liverpool on the

142

THOMAS J. COMBER.

evening before the embarkation. Numerous friends
were on the quay to bid the missionaries an enthusi-
astic ‘God-speed.’

“ Oh, many a ship, on Mersey’s tide,

Sailed forth that August day,

With richly-laden merchandise
For regions far away ;

But none did bear so rich a freight,

Methinks the angels say,

As that which bore our noble band
To Congo’s ‘shining way.’

“ And as our fond ‘ Good-byes ’ were merged
In that soul-stirring hymn,

‘ Stand up for Jesus,’ which we sang,

Though eyes were growing dim,

Methought that angels might have wished
To come 'within our view.

And leave their golden harps to sing
‘ Stand up for Jesus,’ too !

“ And how we cheered ! with heart and voice
We made the welkin ring !

Well might we cheer those brave young hearts,

Leal servants of our King !

We trust our song and cheer that day,

Like seed on wings of air.

Will reach the wastes of Congo Land,

And grow and blossom there.”

The band of new missionaries, much to Mr.
Comber’s great and thankful joy, included his brother
Percy. The other four being Messrs. Biggs, Davies,
Maynard, and Richards. How sorely these reinforce-
ments were needed may be gathered from the fact
that of the three brethren who a few months before
had preceded them, two, Messrs. Cowe and Cotting-
ham, had succumbed to fever, Mr. Charters alone
remaining. The intelligence had also arrived of the
decease of Mr. Cruickshank.

In his hurry, Mr. Comber had forgotten before
leaving to thank his old pastor and friend, Dr. Stan-
ford, for two books he had sent him, and so, on the

MANYANGA, OR WATHEN STATION, CONGO RIVER.

144

THOMAS J. COMBER.

S.S. LualabUy he wrote his grateful acknowledgments,
— “Thank you very much for them. Your books
always do me good. I came home very hungry
spiritually, and wish I could have had more feeding
and ruminating. I have, however, ^ the Bread of Life,'
and trust that ‘ evermore He will give me this Bread.'
I seem to have so little time for meditation and self-
examination, but trust I shall have more ‘ before I go
hence,' which, I hope, will be a long while ahead
(although, of course, 1 am ready at any time He sees
fit).”

On the voyage out, the Lualaba called at Victoria,
thus affording a most welcome opportunity for the
two brothers to see their sister Carrie, and make the
acquaintance of their new missionary brother-in-law,
Mr. Hay, to whom she had recently been married.
Arrangements, much to Mr. Comber's delight, had
been made for Mr. and Mrs. Hay to go down on the
Lualaba as far as the Gaboon, thus giving four or
five days' instead of a few hours' fellowship.

On the 9th of October, Mr. Comber had reached
Underhill (Tunduwa), the party having all arrived at
Banana in capital health and spirits. His desire and
hope now were that he might be permitted to settle
quietly down to the best sort of work ; he felt that
hitherto he had had so much precarious, uncertain
work to do, here, there, and everywhere, breaking up
the fallow ground. From Underhill he proceeded to
Bayneston, and thence to Wathen and the Pool, taking
with him, as far as circumstances permitted, the new
men to their respective stations, and intending to
come down again to be with his brother Percy at
Wathen, where he hoped to enter upon the quiet settled
work he so much desired. But almost immediately
after his return, most distressing news reached him,
being nothing less than the news of the death of Mrs.
Hay at Victoria. Knowing how terribly his father
especially would feel this fresh sorrow, he wrote a
letter full of tenderest sympathy, in which he expressed

HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA. 145

his ardent wish that they might have been together
at such a time, as they were when they heard of
Sydney’s death. Duty however to the Master had
caused the separation, and he trusted they might not
murmur. He was glad and thankful to be able to
assure his father that he had realised much of the
Saviour’s help and comfort. Very pathetically he
wrote, — “ I seem to be getting so used to trouble and
loss. I suppose I ’m only a young man yet, but I
have found this world full of sorrow. My dear
mother and sister in early life, my darling Minnie,
my dear little pet ‘ Pussie,’ with her little sister Muriel,
then dear old Sid, and now my brave missionary
sister, Carrie. These, besides other losses, which
naturally have not touched me so nearly. So many
of our treasures being gathered up and taken care of
for us in the heavenly kingdom. Never mind, dear
father ! we will learn the lesson that the worries and
difficulties, troubles and sorrows, of this world are
bringing us nearer to the blessedness of the sorrowless
life ; and not only bringing us nearer, but making us
more meet for heaven, I trust.”

Being enabled to bear so nobly this new sorrow,
Mr. Comber might have proceeded quietly as he
desired with his work at Wathen, had it not been for
the exigencies of the mission. At the end of January
he dates from Underhill, where he had arrived just in
time to treat Mr. Maynard who was suffering from
his first attack of fever, but alas, not successfully.
Mr. Weeks was now nearly due at Banana, with Mrs.
Weeks^ Messrs. Scrivener and Silvey, and also Miss
Pitt to be married to Mr. Maynard. Anxious that
the news of John Maynard’s death should be broken
as gently as possible to Miss Pitt, he hastened to
Banana that he might be there on her arrival. Mr.
and Mrs. Weeks and Mr. Silvey being bound for San
Salvador, Mr. Comber felt it wise that he should
accompany them, being very deeply concerned that
the journey should not be taken too hastily. This

146

THOMAS J, COMBER.

particular visit to San Salvador was especially refresh-
ing to the sorely tried heart of the hard-working
missionary, for he found the work most prosperous.
He was delighted to see no less than fifty-seven boys
in the school, many of whom had come a long
distance on the road to meet him and his companions,
and was most of all cheered by the fidelity of his old
friends, feeling assured they were ‘‘ not far from the
kingdom.” The day of the week on which he
arrived was Saturday, and so on the following day he
was able to conduct the Sunday services. On the
morning of Monday, with inexpressible joy, he con-
ducted the first Congo baptism in the presence of
a large number of the people, the candidate being his
boy, Mantu. The date of this important event, so
full of promise to the Congo Mission, was the 29th
of March, the year being 1886.

Towards the end of May Mr. Comber was again at
Wathen, which he now fully hoped would be his
Congo home, and it seemed as if this hope might be
realised. For several months he was able to pursue
his labours without any interruption : no tidings
coming to disturb him except those which announced
the calamity by fire at the Pool station. But that
disaster, being remediable, he felt sure friends at
home would soon repair — a confidence most
splendidly justified by their abounding liberality.
Writing to Mr. Tritton, the Treasurer, on the 27th of
September, he was able to rejoice that for eight
months his fellow-missionaries — eighteen in number
— had been preserved ; and that during the previous
eight months, with only one exception, the same
immunity from loss had been enjoyed. The mission
at Wathen had now become thoroughly established.
Twenty-five boys had been induced to come and live
with him. His medical work was telling, and the
people were willing and wanting to hear the
Gospel.

At the date of this communication, Mr. Bentley,

MISSION BURIAL GROUND AT UNDERHILL, CONGO RIVER.

148 THOMAS J. COMBER,

with further reinforcements — Messrs. Darby, Graham,
Philips, and Shindler — arrived at Banana.

There came, however, an interruption to his work
at Wathen, but it was in a manner which brought
Mr. Comber no sadness, but only joy. It was in the
form of an earnest request from the brethren in
charge of the work at San Salvador, to come to their
guidance and help in the religious awakening which
at last was cheering and encouraging the mission.
To this call he at once responded, visiting on his
way Mbanza Manteka, the station of the American
Baptist Missionary Union, formerly of the Living-
stone Mission, where a similar blessing was being
enjoyed. On reaching San Salvador, he found that
the influence of the Spirit of God upon the hearts
and lives of the people was most evident, large
numbers of the natives crowding to hear the preach-
ing, many giving in their names as inquirers, fifty of
whom Mr.^ Comber thought were sincerely desirous to
be Christians. Particularly grateful was he to find that
the most definite idea in their minds was the necessity
of giving up sin and living pure, truthful, and right-
eous lives. After remaining a fortnight with the
brethren, he left San Salvador for his own station,
Wathen. At Underhill he wrote to Mrs. Hartland,
under date of March the 7th, giving a most encourag-
ing account of what he had seen. “The work is
clearly that of our God ; and He Himself is touching
the hearts of the people. Silvey, Cameron, Philips,
and Graham, had a week of special services, which
were signally blessed. Hundreds attended them
nightly. And now, three months after, when the
novelty has worn off, the Sunday or week evening
meetings are always as well attended as during that
special week, 300 to 350 at ordinary meetings, and
about 200 at inquirers’ meetings. The regularity
is astonishing ; and religion with many is, in some
degree or other, a matter of concern, with some, the
chief concern. Many have come wanting to make

HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA. 1 49

a profession — i.e.^ to have their names down, who have
not thought why they want it. This of course was to
be expected. As, with many, this name-entering
gave a wrong impression, we are now more reserved,
and only enter those who appear to understand and
to mean what they say, sending the rest away after a
little talk and prayer with them, and encouraging
them to come again. Perhaps 50 out of the 200
really desire to follow Christ and are more or less
earnest; and of these 50, it may be 12 or 20 have
given themselves to Christ and taken Him as their
Saviour and Master — -although there is still much
need for instruction, for they have not listened to
God's truth in the past as they listen now. We feel
it necessary, however, to let the life confirm the lip
before baptising. Our brightest and best and most
satisfactory are Matoka and D. Miguel. The king's
wives, many of them, seem sincere inquirers ; many
young men appear to be strongly decided to live the
Christian life ; and, as you may expect, many of our
boys— among them, Malevo, Kavungu, Kivitidi, and
Matata. With many of these — all the special ones—
I have had careful talks, and feel satisfied. Oh ! San
Salvador is changed ! To speak at those meetings
was glorious, and filled me with joy and hope for our
Congo Mission. As to the poor old king, the priests
frighten, threaten, bribe, flatter, and seem to have
their way with him almost entirely. He has taken
to a little mild persecution, which of course does good.
Yes, poor Don Pedro has greatly changed. We are
praying especially for him you may be sure."

Immediately after the date of this letter, Mr.
Comber intended to start with Mr. and Mrs,
Moolenaar for Wathen, but was detained at Under-
hill on account of Mr. Darling's health. Mr.
Shindler, too, the other missionary in charge,
became ill, and, to his inexpressible grief, all that
Mr. Comber could do failed to preserve their precious
lives ; and three weeks later his trials were further

I§0 THOMAS J. COMBER.

increased by tidings from the Pool of Miss Spearing’s
death.

On the 26th of April, Mr. Comber was at Banana,
to place Mrs. Darling on board the steamer which
would convejTher back to England. The following
day he wrote to his father : — “ As the Portuguese is
just in, I 'm going to take a sea-trip for eighteen days
— to Mossamedes — towards the Cape, returning in
same steamer. I 'm a little run down bodily and
mentally, and need this little rest. . . . What has
happened has much unhinged me. The 19th of
March, 1887, is a sad day in my calendar, already full
enough of sad entries. It is all so perplexing, and
one knows not what to say. God is over all, and
does all wisely and lovingly. This we know.”

After this sea- trip he returned to Underhill, but
was little benefited by the change.

CHAPTER XII.

CONCLUSION.

IT may be said, and said, perhaps truly, that a
life so weighted with anxious responsibility,
involving so continuous a strain, both physic-
ally and mentallyj as that which Mr. Comber
lived — and lived in an African clime, was morally
certain to come to an early close. It may, however,
be equally true that there are certain positions in
God’s kingdom which admit of only a few years’
service, as men count years ; and which none but
the worthiest can fill. The figures on a dial plate,
the anniversaries of a birthday, have no relevancy in
calculating the value of life — are useless to indicate its
real worth. In the truest estimate of earthly service
the element of duration has no essential place.
Therefore, let the reader pause and consider, lest he
too hastily pronounce the end of the noble life
sketched in these pages to have been ‘‘ untimely.”
How true it is that some men live much in a brief
space ; whilst others live little though they exceed
the three-score years and ten !

The story of the closing days is soon told. From
the unnerving effect of the recent losses, Mr. Comber

151

152 THOMAS J. COMBER.

never recovered ; and so, when fever came, he could
not meet it with the former power of resistance. On
the 1 6th of June he was dangerously ill ; the remittent
fever being complicated with severe hsematuria and
sleeplessness. Mr. Scrivener, the missionary in

charge of the Underhill station, had the great
advantage of Dr. SmalPs assistance, a medical
missionary belonging to the American Baptist
Missionary Union ; but the hsematuria continued,
greatly weakening the patient. The doctor advised
a trip to sea as the only chance of saving his life.
Lieutenant Valcke, the President of the Executive
Board of the Free State, placed the Prince Bodouin
at the disposal of the Mission ; and Mr. Comber was
comfortably conveyed from Underhill to Banana.
Every attention was shown the sick missionary. A
German steamer, the Lulu Bohlen, homeward bound,
came into the creek, and Mr. Comber was carried on
board. The captain, ship doctor, and others, were
unremitting in their kindness. At first the sea
breezes, were beneficial, but the benefit was only
temporary ; strength gradually failed, and on the
27th of June, 1887, Ihe end came peacefully whilst
the vessel lay anchored off Loango.

“ Our brother,’^ reported Mr. Scrivener, who never
left him, “ seemed to have a strong presentiment that
he would not recover. During the night we passed at
Boma, he called me to his side, and said he had been
reasoning the matter over in his mind. He did not
think he should recover ; but whether he recovered or
not, the Father’s will was best. He considered his
ties — that of sonship — his dear father : and then his
brother Percy would be the only son left if he died.
His father had given up three boys for the Congo
Mission. He (Mr. Comber) had the sweetest prospects
for the future ; there was much that made him feel
that he would like to stay, but the Father’s will was
best. Both Dr. Small and myself assured him of our
belief that the sea breezes would strengthen him, and

CONCLUSION.

IS3

that he would live to do many more years work in
Congo. VVe said we could not spare him yet, and he
must hope for continued life and usefulness. He
replied he did not want to die ; he would like to live
a long, long time. His experience was perhaps use-
ful to the Mission ; but, he said, we must not look at
the matter in that way. What was the Father s will ?
That must be our first consideration. He then
dropped off to sleep, and the next morning was much
better. During his sleep he repeated three lines of a
hymn as follows : —

‘‘O Christ, Thou art the Fountain,

The deep well-spring of love,

The springs of earth IVe tasted — ■

I did not catch the last line ; I took notes of my
brother’s words at once.”

Such was the esteem in which Mr. Comber was
held, that the captain kindly ran his vessel into the
Mayumba Bay, some two hundred miles north of the
Congo River, thus giving opportunity for burial on
shore. Mr. Scrivener conducted a short service ; the
captain, doctor, and many of the crew and passengers
being present to express their sincere esteem and
sorrow.

When the distressing news reached this country,
many hearts beside those of his , relatives were bowed
down with grief. Not only does this blow fall on
us,” wrote Mr. Grenfell, his intimate colleague of ten
years, “who have lost a loving-hearted friend, and
devoted fellow-worker, who was ever ready to sacrifice
himself, and whose charity never failed, but you will
remember, as I do, the heaviness and bitterness that
this stroke will bring to the hearts of dear relatives,
and a wide circle of very affectionate friends.”

At their next monthly meeting, the Committee of
the Society sorrowfully recorded their keen sense of
the heavy loss the Mission had sustained. “ The
Committee,” we quote from the official minutes,

THOMAS J. COMBER.

1 54

‘‘feel it impossible to over-estimate the loss the Congo
Mission has sustained by the death of their dear
brother, Mr. Comber. Associated with the Congo
enterprise from its very commencement, all through
its course he has been one of its most beloved and
trusted leaders. His brave yet gentle spirit drew
towards him the affection and confidence of all with
whom he was brought into contact, while his calm,
resourceful nature made him ever wise, courageous,
and hopeful in seasons of special danger and
difficulty.”

To his numerous friends of Camden Road Chapel a
memorial sermon, marked by beautiful appreciation of
his worth, and full of comforting and inspiring senti-
ments, was preached by the pastor, the Rev. George
Hawker. The preacher selected for his text the words
of Paul : “ But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish
my course with joy, and the ministry I have received
of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace
of God.” In the course of his sermon he observed :
“ God’s hand was on Thomas Comber, a man
conscious of a mission in the nineteenth century,
whom I dare to associate this evening, in . reverent
thought, with his great prototype. Those who knew
Mr. Comber, and followed his career, cannot fail to
have recognised his many Pauline characteristics, and
the apostolic elevation of life to which he attained.
They will be interested to recall that conspicuous
among the books that influenced him as a . boy,
colouring his dreams, and filling his mind with ardent
veneration, was one entitled, ‘ The Footsteps of St.
Paul.’ ” Space will not permit more than one further
quotation. Referring to Mr. Comber’s leadership in the
Mission, Mr. Hawker justly observes : — “ His experi-
ence, his administrative ability, his practical wisdom,
his unmeasured kindness,made him indispensable upon
all occasions of difficulty or trouble ; and though he
assumed no official superiority, and made little of his

THOMAS J. COMBER.

156

Splendid services, the confidence and respect of friends
at home, and colleagues in the field, constituted him
a leader, and imposed upon him the surely accom-
panying load of care.”

A few weeks after the delivery of this memorial
sermon at Camden Road Chapel, his earlier friends
at Denmark Place expressed their affectionate esteem
by erecting a tablet, which was most appropriately
unveiled by Mr. Edward Rawlings, he, having been
superintendent of the Sunday school, when Tom
Comber was a scholar.

‘‘ Wherever your Comber went, there was life and
activity. Again and again as I looked at him, he
reminded me of the young man with the banner, on
which was the word ‘Excelsior’;” so testified Mr.
Stanley to Mr. Charters, a fellow-missionary.

By his native name VlANGA-VlANGA, a sobriquet
applied to a person who always hurries about — a
ubiquitous person, he will long be remembered.

In a recent letter from Mr. Slade, one of the Congo
missionaries, the following testimony occurs: — “We
at Wathen are only beginning to realise the great,
almost irreparable loss we sustained by the death of
Thomas Comber. His genial, hearty manner with
the natives, always making himself at home with
them in their houses, or by their camp-fires, gave him
a hold upon them which it is not easy for every man
to acquire. I frequently hear him spoken of with
true affection, and it will be a long time before his
memory dies in the hearts of those who loved him
but little less than we ourselves. That God should
call home such men as he, when the realisation of
their long-cherished hopes and constant prayers were
so near, is to me incomprehensible. It is for us,
however, not to question His decrees, but to accept
them in the spirit of true resignation, and to say, with
a complete surrender of our own will, ‘ God knoweth
best!’”

But far surpassing in worth every other memorial is

THOMAS J Si cr ■ ■ '"■

!R THSS C!':;AAr .J.:

HE BE«««; the Pioperp! >.rm !•-•■• -'■;:

Baptist at!sst«« ou -the C'..',<c*

AHH E'OR ELE'-'SM vgftjis rEVviCE^T i'

A^B ARcr.HT teyp. to amisT:

' ACEO 3^ YtARS.

THIS TASEET SS ESECTES B?
OI.D COMPAKieiS.? AHL> f-AitrtD-i-

'’’t fc' ■ v->Vu/vS •■■■■■•■ ' .-, .,

v/,T. ' .<■ . ,.,VA , , V ■

MEMORIAL TABLET IN THE SCHOOLROOM OF DENMARK PLACE

, BAPTIST CHAPEL.

158 THOMAS J. COMBER.

the tribute of gratitude and affection paid by redeemed
Africans.

‘‘ I am very, very sorry to hear that my dear master
is dead, and to hear that you did not see him before
he died. Oh dear ! when I think of him, it make me
very grieved, how kind he had been to me, kind as a
father would be to his sons and to everybody. He
left his beautiful home and all his friends in England,
and came out to our bad country for our sake, to help
us to love and serve our Saviour, Jesus. I cannot tell
you what sorrow I feel when I think I no longer hear
my dear master’s voice on earth, though I know he
is gone to Heaven. God want him in Heaven.
I must close this now. My God will comfort your
heart.’’ So wrote Mantu, the first Christian convert
in Congo, to Mr. Percy Comber.

Since Mr. Comber baptised Mantu, a Christian
Church has been formed at San Salvador ; Matoko,
Don Miguel, his earliest friends, are now, with others,
rejoicing in that Saviour’s love, of which the mission-
ary was the first to tell them. And from that Church
is going forth the Light into the surrounding dark-
ness. ‘‘ We have sat in conference among ourselves,”
report these native Christians, ‘‘ and we have sent one
man to go and preach the good news of Jesus Christ
in the towns that are near us ; from the church he
goes out, others also go out into the towns on the
Lord’s day ; we wish all the people in our country to
know our Saviour, who came to die for us. We have
a hope that before this year is ended, many people
will come and join themselves to our Church by the
help of God. Truly the work here is making
progress ; there are many things, we drink them in
sorrow, but we know that God listens to our prayer,
and is very near to us always, therefore we cannot see
fear. Now, our brethren, we pray you (the friends to
whom this communication was sent) to remember us
in your prayers. We also shall not forget you. If
here on earth we shall not see one another, there is

CONCLUSION.

159

no matter ; we shall see one another in another
country, where (dwelleth) our Lord Jesus Christ,
when we shall not be separated again. Now we have
finished.'^

In the following strains mused one, who, like
Mr. Comber himself, had been a messenger of the
Glad Tidings to dark, degraded Africa : —

ANOTHER FALLEN.^

Another fallen ! Nay, say not so.

That our brother fell,

When the fever reached its fiercest height.

And Heaven gleamed near through the gathering night ;

And he heard, — ah, who can tell
What rapturous songs of rejoicing love.

And a whispered welcome to home above,

Which told him all was well !

Another risen ! were better said ;

For Heaven came near,

And no meteor’s flight in that quivering sky
Was brighter than this as he sped on high

With a song from this lower sphere ;

And we knew that a heart beat fast in Heaven,

With the gentle thrill of a bliss new-given,

For the heart that was still down here.

Another risen ! I stand in thought,

With bared brow.

Where that grave looks up to the sullen sky.

And the grey sea sobs its dirge near by.

And I ask, Hath he left us now t
Has the fire died out from that eager breast?

Yet untired by work does he idly rest.

While millions their need avow ?

Have risen spirits less love than when
They toiled below ?

Does that brighter world, with its wealth of bliss.
Quench thought of the want and woe of this ?

* This phrase was Mr. Comber’s own, used in reference to his
brother’s death.

THOMAS J. COMBER.

l6o

Or, do they in Heaven know
The suasion of love such as we ne’er feel ?

With a wider hope and a warmer zeal,

To which we can but grow.

Ah, yes ! they have more of love than we,
And less of fear ;

They have more of pity for every plaint.

And none of the feeble frame’s restraint.

Which limits action here ;

Then why should we weep for him as lost
Who the bounds of this little life hath crossed
F or work in a freer sphere ?

He serves Him still whose work is ours,
And, while earth hath woe,

Go4 hath work for all, and most for those
Who have entered the calm of the soul’s repose.
From the struggle and pain below ;
And we must believe that ’tis best that he
Should serve in a higher grade than we.

Since God has willed it so.

THE END.

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Author of “John Halifax, Gentleman.”

The Children of Cherryholme. By M. S. Haycraft.

The Fatal Nugget, By E. Harcourt Burrage.

Frank Burleigh ; or. Chosen to be a Soldier. By Lydia
Phillips.

Harold ; or. Two Died for Me. By Laura A. Barter.
Indian Life in the Great North-West, By Egerton R.

Young, Missionary to the North American Indian Tribes.

Jack the Conqueror; or, Difficulties Overcome. By the
Author of “ Dick and his Donkey.”

Jim’s Discovery ; or, On the Edge of a Desert. By T. M.

Browne, Author of “ Dawson’s Madge,” etc.

Little Bunch’s Charge; or. True to Trust. By Nellie

Cornwall, Author of “Tamsin Rosewarne,” etc.

Lost in the Backwoods. By Edith C. Kenyon.

The Little Woodman and his Dog Caesar. By Mrs.

Sherwood.

The Last Look : A Tale of the Spanish Inquisition. By
W. H. G. Kingston, Author of “ Manco, the Peruvian Chief.”

Marjory; or, What would Jesus do ? By Laura A. Barter.

Our Den. By E. M. Waterworth, Author of ‘‘ Master
Lionel, that Tiresome Child.”

Paul the Courageous. By Mabel Quiller- Couch. Six Il-
lustrations by Florence Reason.

Roy’s Sister; or. His Way and Hers. By M. B. Manwell.

Raymond’s Angel : A Story of Two Lives Laid Down. By
Blanche Garvock. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. Cloth boards.

Raymond’s Rival ; or. Which will Win ? By Jennie

Chappell.

St. Mary’s Convent ; or. Chapters in the Life of a Nun. By

J. S. Dammast, Author of “ The Fatal Legacy.”

Sweet Nancy. By L. T. Meade, Author of “ Scamp and I.”
Uncle Zeph and His Yarns. By Wm. J. Forster, Author

of “A Trip to Many Lands,” etc. Four Illustrations.

Who was the Culprit? By Jennie Chappell.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PVBUSHED

Is. each (continued.)

ONE SHILLING BOOKS (continued).

The Armour of Life. A Little Book of Friendly Counsel.

Edited by J. A. Hammerton, Author of ** A Young Man’s Mind.”
Foolscap 8vo. Ninety-six pages. Cloth.

Hiram Golf’s Religion. By George H. Hepworth, D.D.,

Author of ** The Life Beyond,” etc. 128 pages. Cloth gilt.

Eon the Good; and other Verses. By Charlotte Murray.
Crown 8vo.

What is Christian Science ? An Examination of the

Metaphysical, the Theological, and the Therapeutic Theories of
the System. By P. C. Wolcott, B.D. Long 8vo. 96 pages. Cloth.

Another Pentecost. By Rev. I. E. Page. Long 8vo. 128

pages. Cloth boards.

Uncrowned Queens. By Charlotte Skinner, Author of

•‘Sisters of the Master.” Small 8vo. 112 pages. Cloth.

Sisters of the Master. By Charlotte Skinner, Author of
•* The Master’s Gifts to Women.”

Some Secrets of Christian Living : Selections from the

*• Seven Rule ” Series of Booklets. Small 8vo. Cloth boards.

Light and Darkness ; or, All One in Christ Jesus. By Spes.

An Anti-Ritualistic Story. Crown 8vo. 128 pages. Paper covers.

Molly and I. By the Author of “ Jack,” “ At Sunset,” etc.
Long 8 VO. Illustrated Title Page.

Cicely’s Little Minute. By Harvey Gobel. Long 8vo.

Illustrated Title Page. Cloth extra.

Victoria : the Well-Beloved. (1819-1901.) By W. Francis

Aitken, Author of ** Baden Powell : the Hero of Mafeking.” Eight
Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 152 pages. Cloth boards.

CHEAP REPRINTS OF POPULAR BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.

Crown 8vo. 160 pages. Illustrated. Cloth hoards, Is. each.

*A Candle Lighted by the Lord. By Mrs. E. Ross.
^Alice Western’s Blessing. By Ruth Lamb.

Tamsin Rosewame and Her Burdens : A Tale of Cornish

Life. By Nellie Cornwall.

BY S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO.

Is. each (continued)*

CHEAP REPRINTS OF POPULftR BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG (contd).

Raymond and Bertha : A Story of True Nobility. By

Lydia Phillips, Author of *• Frank Burleigh; or, Chosen to be a
Soldier.”

Gerald’s Dilemma. By Emma Leslie. Crown 8vo. i6o

pages. Six Illustrations. Cloth.

Fine Gold ; or, Ravenswood Courtenay. By Emma Mar-
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Marigold. By Mrs. L. T. Meade, Author of “ The Little
Princess of Tower Hill,” etc.

Jack’s Heroism. A Story of Schoolboy Life. By Edith C.

Kenyon.

The Lads of Kingston. A Tale of a Seaport Town. By

James Capes Story.

Her Two Sons : A Story for Young Men and Maidens. By
Mrs. Charles Garnett.

Rag and Tag : A Plea for the Waifs and Strays of Old

England. By Mrs. E. J. Whittaker.

Through Life’s Shadows. By Eliza F. Pollard, Author of

* * Roger the Ranger. ’ ’

The Little Princess of Tower Hill. By L. T. Meade,

Author of ** The Lady of the Forest.”

Clovie and Madge. By Mrs. G. S. Reaney.

Ellerslie House : A Book for Boys. By Emma Leslie.
Like a Little Candle ; or, Bertrand’s Influence. By Mrs.

Haycraft.

Martin Redfem’s Yow. By Ethel F. Heddle.

The Dairyman’s Daughter. By Legh Richmond.

Bible Wonders. By Rev. Dr. Newton.

The Pilgrim’s Progress. By John Bunyan. 416 pages.

Forty-seven Illustrations.

Our Duty to Animals. By Mrs. C. Bray, Author of
•* Physiology for Schools,” etc. Intended to teach the young kind-
ness to Animals. Cloth, is. 6d. ; School Edition, is, 3d.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PUBLISHED

Is. each (continued).,

NEW SERIES OF ONE SHILLING PICTURE BOOKS.

Size 10^ by 8 inches. 96 pages. Coloured Frontispiece and numerous
other illustrations. Handsomely hound in paper boards, covers
printed in 10 colours and varnished.

Two Little Bears at School. By J. D., Author of “ Happy

Playmates,” ” Buttercups and Daisies,” etc.

Merry and Free. Pictures and Stories for our Little Ones.

By R. V.

We three and Grandpa ! A Picture Story Book for Little

Folks. By J. D.

Bruno’s Prize. Pictures and Stories for Merry and Wise.

By D. J. D., Author of ” Our Pet’s Picture Book.”

Our Pet’s Picture Book. By D. J. D.

Happy Playmates: Pictures and Stories for Little Folks.

By J. D., Author of “Buttercups and Daisies,” etc.

Bible Pictures and Stories : Old Testament. By D. J. D.
Bible Pictures and Stories : New Testament. By James

Weston and D. J. D.

Pussies and Puppies. By Louis Wain.

Dapple and Dobbin’s Picture Book. By D. J. D.

Foolscap 4to. With Coloured Covers, and full of Illustrations.

Buttercups and Daisies : A Picture Story Book for Little

People. By J. D., Author of “ Ring o’ Roses,” etc. Size 9 by 7J
inches. One full-page coloured and many other Illustrations.

Holiday Hours in Animal Land. By Uncle Harry. New

edition. 96 pages. One full-page Coloured and numerous other
Illustrations. Paper boards with coloured design.

Ring o’ Roses. Pictures and Stories for Little Folks. By
Uncle Jack, Author of “ Frolic and Fun,” etc. Four full-page
Coloured and numerous other Illustrations.

Holiday Joys. Stories and Pictures for Girls and Boys.
By C. D. M., Author of “Merry Playmates, etc.” Four full-page
Coloured and numerous other Illustrations.

Commendations from all parts of the world have reached Messrs.
S. W. Partridge and Co. upon the excellence of their Picture Books. The
reading matter is high-toned, helpful, and amusing, exactly adapted to
the requirements of young folks ; while the Illustrations are by first-class
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covers, they form a unique series.

BY S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO.

Is. each (continued).

ONE SHILLING TOY BOOKS.

Father Time. A Novel Mechanical Toy Book. Cover

tastefully printed in colours. Contains beautifully reproduced
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also clock-dial with real hands.

Animals, Tame and Wild. Fourteen coloured pages of

Animals drawn from life, with appropriate footlines. Beautifully
coloured cover, varnished.

DEVOTIONAL BOOKS FOR CHRISTIAN WORKERS.

Large Crown 16mo. 128 pages. Chastely hound in Cloth Boards,

Is. each.

Some Deeper Things. By Rev. F. B. Meyer.

Steps to the Blessed Life. By Rev. F. B. Meyer.
Daybreak in the Soul. By Rev. E. W. Moore.

The Temptation of Christ. By C. Arnold Healing, M.A.
Keynotes to the Happy Life. By Charlotte Skinner,

Author of “ The Master’s Gifts to Women,” etc.

For Love’s Sake. By Charlotte Skinner, Author of Un-
crowned Queens,” etc.

9d. each.

NIHEPENHY SERIES OP ILLUSTRATED BOOKS.

96 pages. Small Crown 8vo. Illustrated. Handsome cloth covers.

Grandmother’s Child. By Annie S. Swan. New Edition.
Dorothy’s Trust. By Adela Frances Mount, Author of

“ Margery’s Quest.”

Grannie’s Treasures ; and how they helped her. By L. E.

Tiddeman.

His Majesty’s Beggars. By Mary E. Ropes.

Love’s Golden Key. By Mary E. Lester.

Faithful Friends. By C. A. Mercer, Author of “ Rob and I.”
Only Boy. By E. M. Waterworth and Jennie Chappell.
Aunt Armstrong’s Money. By Jennie Chappell, Author of

” Carol’s Gift,” etc.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PUBLISHED

9d. each (continued),

NINEPENNY SERIES OF ILLUSTRATED BOOKS (continued).

The Babes in the Basket ; or, Daph and Her Charge.

Bel’s Baby. By Mary E. Ropes.

Birdie’s Benefits; or, A Little Child Shall Lead Them.

By Edith Ruth Boddy.

Carol’s Gift ; or, “ What Time I am Afraid I will Trust in
Thee.” By Jennie Chappell, Author of ** Without a Thought.”

Cripple George ; or, God has a Plan for Every Man. A
Temperance Story. By John W. Kneeshaw.

Cared For ; or, The Orphan Wanderers. By Mrs. C. E.
Bowen, Author of ” Dick and his Donkey,” etc.

Dawson’s Madge : or. The Poacher’s Daughter. By T. M.

Browne, Author of ** The Musgrove Ranch,” etc.

A Flight with the Swallows, By Emma Marshall.

The Five Cousins. By Emma Leslie.

Foolish Chrissy ; or, Discontent and its Consequences. By
Meta, Author of “ Noel’s Lessons,” etc.

For Lucy’s Sake. By Annie S. Swan.

Giddie Garland ; or. The Three Mirrors. By Jennie
Chappell.

How a Farthing Made a Fortune ; or. Honesty is the Best

Policy. By Mrs. C. E. Bowen.

How Paul’s Penny became a Pound. By Mrs. Bowen,

Author of ** Dick and his Donkey.”

How Peter’s Pound became a Penny. By the same Author.
John Blessington’s Enemy : A Story of Life in South

Africa. By E. Harcourt Burrage, Author of ** The Fatal
Nugget,” etc.

John Oriel’s Start in Life. By Mary Howitt.

Master Lionel, that Tiresome Child. By E. M. Water-

worth.

The Man of the Family. By Jennie Chappell.

Mattie’s Home ; or. The Little Match-girl and her Friends.

Han ; or. The Power of Love. By Eliza F. Pollard, Author
of •• Avice*” etc.

Phil’s Frolic. By F. Scarlett Potter.

BY S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO.

9d. each (continued)*

NINEPENNY SERIES OF ILLUSTRATED BOOKS (continued).

Paul: A Little Mediator. By Maude M. Butler.

Rob and I ; or, By Courage and Faith. By C. A. Mercer.
A Sailor’s Lass. By Emma Leslie.

Una Bruce’s Troubles. By Alice Price.

Won from the Sea. By E. C. Phillips (Mrs. H. B. Looker),

Author of “ Birdie and Her Dog."

6d. each.

NEW SERIES OF SIXPENNY PICTURE BOOKS.

Sweet Stories Retold: A Bible Picture Book for Young
Folks. Crown 410. Coloured Frontispiece and 25 Illustrations,
Handsomely bound in paper boards, with Cover printed in Ten
Colours.

Little Snowdrop’s Bible Picture Book. Crown 4to. Col-
oured Frontispiece and 25 Illustrations. Handsomely bound in
paper boards, with cover printed in Ten Colours.

March Away ! Pictures and Stories for Every Day.
Coloured Frontispiece and many other Illustrations. Handsomely
bound in paper boards, with Cover printed in Ten Colours.

After the Ball : Pictures and Stories for One and All.

Coloured Frontispiece and many other Illustrations. Handsomely
bound in paper boards, with cover printed in Ten Colours.

Sweet Blossom : A Picture Story Book for Little Ones.
Crown 4to. Fully Illustrated. Handsomely bound in paper
boards, with design printed in eight colours.

An entirely new and unequalled series of Standard stories ^ printed on good
laid paper. Imperial 8vo. 128 pages. Illustrated covers with vignetted
design printed in eight Colours. Price 6d. each net.

From Jest to Earnest.

By E. P. Roe.

POPULAR EDITION.

Don Lavington ; or, In the Days of the Press Gang. By
Geo. Manville Fenn. Royal 8vo. 160 pages. Ten Illustrations
by W. Rainey, R,I. Cover printed in colours.

THE MARIGOLD SERIES.

Pride and Prejudice. By

The Wide, Wide World

By Susan Warner.

Jane Austen.

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PUBLISHED

6d. each (continued).

THE <>RED DAYE» SERIES.

New and enlarged Edition, Handsomely hound in cloth hoards.

Well Illustrated,

Wilful Jack. By M. I. Hurrell.
WUlie the Waif. By Minie

Herbert.

A Sunday Trip and what came

of it. By E. J. Romanes.

Little Tim and his Picture. By

Beatrice Way.

Midge. By L. E. Tiddeman.

The Conjuror’s Wand. By

Henrietta S. Streatfeild.

Benjamin’s Hew Boy.

Enemies : A Tale for Little Lads

and Lasses.

Cherry Tree Place.

A Tale of Four Foxes.

A Little Town Mouse.

The Little Governess.
Puppy-Dog Tales.

Mother’s Boy.

A Great Mistake.

From Hand to Hand.

That Boy Bob.

Buy Your Own Cherries.

Left in Charge, and other Stories
A Threefold Promise.

The Four Young Musicians.

Two Little Girls and What
they did.

Joe and Sally ; or, A Good Deed

and its Fruits.

The Island Home.

Chrissy’s Treasure.

Lost in the Snow.

Owen’s Fortune.

Red Dave ; or, What Wilt Thou

have Me to Do.

Dick and His Donkey.

Jessie Dyson.

Come Home, Mother.

4d. each.

CHEAP PANSY” SERIES.

Imperial 8vo, 64 pages. Many Illustrations. Cover printed in five colours

The Strait Gate. By Annie

S. Swan.

Mark Desborough’s Yow. By

Annie S. Swan.

Her Saddest Blessing.

Miss Priscilla Hunter, and other

Stories.

Wild Bryonie.

Avice. A Story of Imperial
Rome.

Links in Rebecca’s Life.

From Different Standpoints.
Those Boys.

Christie’s Christmas.

Four Girls at Chautauqua.

Ester Ried.

Julia Ried.

Ester Ried yet Speaking.
Echoing and Re-echoing.
Cunning Workmen.

Tip Lewis and His Lamp.

The King’s Daughter.
Household Puzzles.

The Randolphs.

Wise to Win; or, The Master

Hand.

A Hew Graft on the Family
Tree.

The Man of the House.

BY S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO.

4d. each (continued),

THE YOUNG FOLKS* LIBRARY,

of Cloth-hound Books. With Coloured Frontispiece. 64 pages.
Well Illustrated. Handsome Cloth Covers.

The Little Woodman.

Jacko the Monkey, and other

Stories.

Little Dan, the Orange Boy.
Ronald’s Reason.

From Shadow to Sunshine.

A Bright Idea.

Sybil and her Live Snowball.
The Church Mouse.

Dandy Jim.

A Troublesome Trio.

Perry’s Pilgrimage.

Nita ; or, Among the Brigands.

3d. each.

NEW PRETTY “GIFT-BOOK” SERIES.

With Beautiful Coloured Frontispiece^ and mafty other Illustrations. Paper
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Size 6 hy 5 inches.

Jack and Jill’s Picture Book.

Lady - Bird’s Pictures and
Stories.

Playtime Joys for Girls and
Boys.

Dolly’s Picture Book.

By the Sea.

Toby and Kit’s Animal Book.
‘‘Pets” and “Pickles”

Our Little Pets’ Alphabet.
Bible Stories— Old Testament.
Bible Stories— New Testament.

THE TINY LIBRARY.

Books printed in large

Little Chrissie, and other Stories.
Harry Carlton’s Holiday.

A Little Loss and a Big Find.

What a Little Cripple Did.

Bobby.

Matty and Tom.

The Broken Window. i

type. Cloth limp, 3d.

John Madge’s Cure for Selfish-
ness.

The Pedlar’s Loan.

Letty Young’s Trials.

Brave Boys.

Little Jim, the Rag Merchant.

S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO/S CATALOGUE.

PARTRIDGE^S PICTORIAL MAGAZINES.

“A word of emphatic praise should be given to the old established and excellent
magazines of Messrs. Partridge and Co. They ought to hold their own against the
great competition, for they are eminently sound, healthy, and interesting.” — British
Weekly.

“ It would be difficult to surpass these magazines, All have marched with the times.”
Daily Telegraph.

“There are no more attractive Annual Volume than those issued by S. W. Partridge
and Co.”— The Christian.

Our Young Men. A Magazine of New Century Ideas.
Edited by J. A. Hammerton. A thoroughly bright, breezy, go-
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correspondents, book chat, etc., etc. id. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, cloth boards, 2s«

The British Workman. Contains Popular Articles and

Stories on Temperance, Thrift, etc., and short Biographies of
eminent Self-made Men ; also interesting accounts of visits to some
of our leading British Industries. id. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, 96 pages full of illustrations, coloured paper boards,
ls.6d.; cloth, 2s. 6d*

The Family Friend. A beautifully Illustrated Magazine

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id. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, in coloured paper boards and cloth back, ls.6d.;
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The Friendly Visitor. An Illustrated Gospel Magazine for

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fully illustrated. Just the paper for the aged. id. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, coloured paper boards and cloth back. Is. 6d.; cloth, 2s.;
gilt edges, 2s. 6d.

The Children’s Friend. Charming Stories, interesting Arti-
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The Yearly Volume, coloured paper boards, with cloth back and excellent
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The Infants’ Magazine. No other Periodical can be com-
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little ones. id. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, coloured paper boards, with cloth back and beautifully
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The Band of Hope ReYiew. The Leading Temperance

Periodical for the Young, containing Serial and Short Stories,
Concerted Recitations, Prize Competitions. Should be in the
hands of all Members of Bands of Hope. Jd. Monthly.

The Yearly Volume, coloured paper boards, Is.; cloth boards Is. 6d.

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