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From a Photograph hy\ 
 
 [Messrs. Dcbenham Gould. 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
THOMAS J. COMBER 
 
 Missi on a rtf pioneer to the 8 on go 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN BROWN MYERS 
 
 (association secretary baptist missionary society) 
 
 AUTHOR OF “WILLIAM CAREY, THE SHOEMAKER WHO BECAME THE ‘FATHER 
 AND FOUNDER OF MODERN MISSIONS.’” 
 
 THIRD EDITION. THIRTEENTH THOUSAND. 
 
 FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 
 
 NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO 
 
 Publishers of Evangelical Literature. 
 

PREFACE. 
 
 — — 
 
 T HE 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 — Mr. 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 
 
 v 
 
Vi 
 
 TREFACE. 
 
 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 of those inserted have hitherto been unpublished.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. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. HtS BOYHOOD, 9 
 
 II. HIS COLLEGE LIFE, 20 
 
 III. THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES AT CAMDEN ROAD, . 31 
 
 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, . . . 8 1 
 
 VIII. EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS PREVIOUS TO REACH- 
 ING STANLEY POOL 89 
 
 IX. EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS, CONTINUED, PREVIOUS 
 
 TO REACHING STANLEY POOL, . . . . I IO 
 
 vii 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 X. LIFE AND LABOURS, MAINLY ON THE UPPER 
 
 CONGO, ......... 120 
 
 XI. HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA, . 136 
 
 XII. CONCLUSION, 15 1 
 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HIS BOYHOOD. 
 
 I T 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 
 
 9 
 
10 
 
 TIIOMAS 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 Harwood, now Mrs. Holmden, 
 widely known as the translator of Dr. Pressens^’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. 
 
 1 1 
 
 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 affectionate old class- 
 boy, Tom Comber.” 
 
 Amongst his wedding gifts was a souvenir from 
 
12 
 
 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 Comber’s future career. Before giving these 
 reminiscences, it may fittingly be observed that years 
 
IIIS BOYHOOD. 
 
 13 
 
 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 — that 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 
 not 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 
 
Ills BOYHOOD. 
 
 15 
 
 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 come to those who are ready for them.’ 
 
 “An incident during his school life maybe 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 
 which, 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. 
 
 1 7 
 
 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 
 
 B 
 
i8 
 
 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. 
 
 19 
 
 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. 
 
 ^TAIME 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 
 
 20 
 
regent’s park college. 
 
22 
 
 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 subjects 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 permanent. 
 
 “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 of 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 with 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. 
 
 25 
 
 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 1 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 ; I 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 
 
2 6 
 
 TIIOMAS 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 1 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 like, 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. 
 
 27 
 
 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 
 come, 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 thai you will, by His strength, follow Hirn. 
 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 
 
IIIS COLLEGE LIFE. 
 
 29 
 
 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. P. 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. 
 
 R EFERENCE 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 
 
 31 
 
32 
 
 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, / am one of 
 His lambs.’ Indeed, you should rejoice and be glad. 
 
 “And now 1875 has gone, an d we are j ust 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. 
 VVigner? 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. 
 
 c 
 
34 
 
 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 : — 
 
 fllM3pab. 
 
 TESTIMONIAL 
 
 PRESENTED TO THE 
 
 REV. THOMAS J. COMBER, 
 
 BY 
 
 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- 
 
36 
 
 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 Regent’s 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 
 
38 
 
 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 O.O. 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 
 
40 
 
 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 leader (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. 41 
 
 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 Him. 
 
 “ 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 I.’ If you are under the shelter of the 
 
42 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 rock J esus, 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 judgment 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. 
 
 A LTHOUGH Mr. Comber entered the College 
 in Regent’s 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 
 
 43 
 
44 
 
 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 year’s 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.” 
 
 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 
 
4 6 
 
 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. 
 
48 
 
 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 Fantee 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 ? ’ ” 
 
 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. 
 
 D 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS. 
 
 1 AHE part of Africa on the west coast, where Mr. 
 Comber began his missionary life, lies in 
 latitude about 4° N. and longitude g° 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 of self-denying toil and incalculable 
 
 5 ° 
 
VICTORIA AND CAMEROONS. 
 
 51 
 
 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 
 
52 
 
 TIIOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 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 
 
A bird’s-eye view of victoria, ambas bay, west Africa. {From a Photograph.) 
 
 
54 
 
 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. 
 
 55 
 
 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 
 
56 
 
 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. 
 
 57 
 
 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 
 
58 
 
 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. 
 
 59 
 
 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. 
 
6o 
 
 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 
 1000 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 
 
sakundu, west AFRICA. ( From a Photograph.) 
 
62 
 
 TIIOMAS 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. 
 
 63 
 
 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 tlie 
 Society for a missionary exploration of the Congo, 
 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 being 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 into 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 
 
64 
 
 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 OK 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. 
 
 65 
 
 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 
 
 E 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 PIONEERING EXPEDITION TO SAN SALVADOR, 
 CONGO LAND. 
 
 T HE 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 
 66 
 
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 accompanied 
 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 
 
MAP OF 
 
 
UGANDA 
 
 * C.M.S. 
 
 % A i/tuiga 
 
 [ Stanley •'/ 
 
 .ANKOK 
 
 
 A L'E'XANDRj 
 
 OJVINZA 
 
 lURUNDI ^ 
 
 .Monibitia^ 
 
 rjb'GUH^ 
 
 Mtcnva \ 
 
 ' -LAKE 
 
 ..-kassali 
 
 'IZombes 
 
 \ 
 
 NYASSA ] 
 
 20 ° 
 
 EQUATORIAL 
 
 A F R I C A 
 
 H.G.WHITLEY,B. M.S. 
 
 Scale of English Miles 
 y 40 80 ^ 1 jo 2R 0 
 
 KATANGA 
 
 LAKE 
 
 AHEMBA 
 
 CONGO RIVER. 
 
70 
 
 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. 7 1 
 
 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 
 
7 2 
 
 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 
 
74 
 
 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. 
 
76 
 
 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 wi ie 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 
 
73 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 respectful distance from our tent, during the four 
 days of our stay at Tungvva. 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 
 
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 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, which 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. 
 
 T HE 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 
 
 81 F 
 
82 
 
 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.’ 
 
8 4 
 
 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 ioth 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. 85 
 
 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 I 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- 
 
86 
 
 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. 
 
 “P.S . — 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 
 
88 
 
 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. 
 
 T HE 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 Tenerifife, 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 ovef. 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 
 
 89 
 
90 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 a very happy party on board the Congo — happy 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. 
 
 91 
 
 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 vortiited 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. 
 
92 
 
 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. 
 
 93 
 
 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 
 
 THE GRAVE OF MRS. COMIlF.R. (From a Photograph.) 
 
 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 
 
94 
 
 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: — 
 
 1 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 sensibility 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 
 
g6 
 
 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, 10th. — 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 for 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 0 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. 
 
 97 
 
 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 
 
 G 
 
9 8 
 
 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 statement 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 
 
EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS. 
 
 99 
 
 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 
 
IOO 
 
 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 and 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 twenty-four 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 men 
 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 pages , 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. 
 
 IOI 
 
 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. IO3 
 
 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 until 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 
 be 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 and 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. 
 
106 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 .) 
 
108 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 
 making 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. IO9 
 
 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. 
 
 £ 
 
EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS, CONTINUED, PREVIOUS 
 TO REACHING STANLEY POOL. 
 
 rT'MiE attempt to reach the upper river by the 
 i Makuta route again proving impracticable, 
 JL 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 
 
 i io 
 
EVENTS AND PROCEEDINGS CONTINUED. Ill 
 
 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 turn 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, 1 88 1 , 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 missionaries. 
 
 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 12 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. Comber 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 MUSUKA 
 
 H 
 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 II 4 
 
 ‘ It 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. I15 
 
 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 doit? 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 1 882, 
 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. 
 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 I 1 6 
 
 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 ! 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. 1 1 7 
 
 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 yoti 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 ! 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 
 
1 1 8 
 
 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 Mr. 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 TOOL, 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 Manyanga. 
 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 of 
 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, 1. Returned, o. In Africa, 11. Total, 12. 
 L.I.M. „ 8. „ 14. „ 15. „ 37. 
 
 A.I.A. „ 11. „ 14. „ 37. „ 62. 
 
 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 hi§ 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 them 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 Peace, 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 Missio?iary 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 7 
 
 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 spent in weary waiting, and his 
 heart’s desire seemed to be, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’ 
 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. Pie 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. I2Q 
 
 “ 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 
 
 I 
 
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 s 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 1 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 XI. 
 
 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 
 
Carrie Comber. 
 
 Thomas J. Comber. 
 
 Mr. Comber, Sen. 
 
 Sidney Comber. 
 
 Percy 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. 141 
 
 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. Lualaba, 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, I 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 
 
 K 
 
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. Plundreds 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 50 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 convey her back to England. The following 
 day he wrote to his father : — “ As the Port 7 iguese 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. 
 
 I T may be said, and said, perhaps truly, that a 
 life so weighted with anxious responsibility, 
 involving so continuous a strain, both physic- 
 ally and mentally, 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 
 
 •5i 
 
152 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 never recovered ; and so, when fever came, he could 
 not meet it with the former power of resistance. On 
 the 16th 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. Small’s 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, the 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. 
 
 153 
 
 that he would live to do many more years work in 
 Congo. We 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 I ’ve 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, 
 
154 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 “ 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 
 
TOMB OF T. J. COMBER. 
 
156 
 
 THOMAS J. COMBER. 
 
 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 
 
s 
 
 - 
 
 lit 
 
 
 THOMAS JAMES COM BER.F.R.C.S 
 
 IN EARLY LIFE A SCHOLAR AND TEACHER 
 IN THIS SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
 
 ! WHERE HE FORMED THE RESOLVE TO CONSECRATE ' f 
 HIS LIFE AS A MISSIONARY TO AFRICA 
 HE BECAME THE PIONEER AND LEADER OF THE 
 BAPTIST MISSION OH THE CONGO. 
 
 AND FOR ELEVEN YEARS DEVOTEDLY LABOURED 
 AMID MANY PERILS SUSTAINED BY FAITH IN GOD 
 j\j - AND ARDENT LOVE TO CHRIST. 
 
 | j TILL CALLED TO HIS REWARD 27™ JUNE 1887. 
 
 7 ACED 34 YEARS. 
 
 - THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY 
 ' /' . r.i n rnuMinnn« Min pdifndc v 
 
 3 If 
 
 
 
 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 bar£d 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 ? 
 
 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. 
 
 160 
 
 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 
 For work in a freer sphere? 
 
 He serves Him still whose work is ours, 
 And, while earth hath woe, 
 
 God 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. 
 
 S. W. PARTRIDGE AND CO., 9 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.