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 
