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 yearns training in 
medicine and surgery. This proved greatly to the 
advantage of his future work. In the October, 
however, of 1875, the year of his acceptance, he and 
three other young brethren — viz., Mr. H. Tucker, 
Mr. R. E. Gammon and Dr. W. Carey, were publicly 
designated to their respective spheres of missionary 
toil. The deeply interesting service was held at 
Plymouth, and will be remembered especially, by 
those who were present, for the powerful and solemn 
address with which Dr. Brock admonished and 
encouraged the missionaries-elect. It was the last 
public utterance of that honoured servant of God, 
and he spoke as if he had already received the 
summons to enter the presence of his Lord. 
Mr. Comber’s departure for Africa being delayed 
by his year’s hospital training, a further valedictory 
service was arranged by his friends at Camden Road 
Chapel. This took place on the evening immediately 
following the one referred to in the previous chapter, 
at which he bade farewell to the children. The date 
was the 2nd of November, 1876. The Rev. Francis 
Tucker, B.A., presided. The Rev. Clement Bailache 
from the Mission House gave an address ; and Mr. 
F. E. Tucker represented the Sunday schools. Mr. 
Comber closed his speech by quoting the well-known 
lines from his favourite poet, Tennyson, beginning: — 
“ More things are wrought by prayer 
Than this world dreams of.” 
■f 
Two days after, Mr. Comber sailed from Liverpool 
in the S.S. Ethiopia for the land of his adoption, in 
the company of the Rev. W. Q. Thomson, who was 
returning after a season of rest. In what frame of 
mind he took his departure, may be gathered from 
