94 
THOMAS J. COMBER. 
that glorious land where they see His face, and where 
are gathered all the servants of God who have gone 
on before, and have entered into rest, he cannot help 
with the far-famed dreamer of Bedford wishing him- 
self amongst them.” 
Mr. Comber’s personal loss was rendered addition- 
ally keen by the sympathy he felt for his wife’s 
friends. 
“I am very anxiously waiting,” he wrote to Mr. 
Rickards, ‘‘for your letters in answer to mine of 
August, and shall be very glad when they come. In 
many troubles of boyhood and youth, you have 
sustained, encouraged, and advised me, and taught 
me to look above, and I have sadly wanted you in 
this climax of trouble, which has come upon me in 
early manhood, and have often wished I could occupy 
a place in the sacred circle of your home, and could 
join in your Sunday evening worship ; but the life 
I have chosen gives me the arm of the Heavenly 
Father alone to lean upon, and Faith needs to be 
stronger than with you in England. 
“ I can’t tell you yet what effect my sorrow has had 
upon me, my spirit and life. I know that heaven is 
more attractive, and the thought of death more 
pleasant ; and I think I am more earnest in my 
work ; but I do so sadly miss my darling wife. I 
sometimes feel I can scarcely bear it, and don’t know 
what to do. But the ‘Very Present Help in Trouble’ 
has been near, and my times of bursting grief have 
been times when Jesus has been nearest to me, and 
the consolations of His love very precious. Yet I 
can’t say I am contented in spirit, although I believe 
that He does all for the best. 
“The strong tie always existing between my old 
teacher and myself, became the closest and strongest 
possible when he yielded to my care his ‘ dear little 
girl ; ’ and it brought me in close intimacy with 
others of his family, who for their own worth, as well 
as for Minnie’s sake, became dear to me. I hope that 
