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 
