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 
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