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.” 
e 
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 
