148 THOMAS J. COMBER, 
with further reinforcements — Messrs. Darby, Graham, 
Philips, and Shindler — arrived at Banana. 
There came, however, an interruption to his work 
at Wathen, but it was in a manner which brought 
Mr. Comber no sadness, but only joy. It was in the 
form of an earnest request from the brethren in 
charge of the work at San Salvador, to come to their 
guidance and help in the religious awakening which 
at last was cheering and encouraging the mission. 
To this call he at once responded, visiting on his 
way Mbanza Manteka, the station of the American 
Baptist Missionary Union, formerly of the Living- 
stone Mission, where a similar blessing was being 
enjoyed. On reaching San Salvador, he found that 
the influence of the Spirit of God upon the hearts 
and lives of the people was most evident, large 
numbers of the natives crowding to hear the preach- 
ing, many giving in their names as inquirers, fifty of 
whom Mr.^ Comber thought were sincerely desirous to 
be Christians. Particularly grateful was he to find that 
the most definite idea in their minds was the necessity 
of giving up sin and living pure, truthful, and right- 
eous lives. After remaining a fortnight with the 
brethren, he left San Salvador for his own station, 
Wathen. At Underhill he wrote to Mrs. Hartland, 
under date of March the 7th, giving a most encourag- 
ing account of what he had seen. “The work is 
clearly that of our God ; and He Himself is touching 
the hearts of the people. Silvey, Cameron, Philips, 
and Graham, had a week of special services, which 
were signally blessed. Hundreds attended them 
nightly. And now, three months after, when the 
novelty has worn off, the Sunday or week evening 
meetings are always as well attended as during that 
special week, 300 to 350 at ordinary meetings, and 
about 200 at inquirers’ meetings. The regularity 
is astonishing ; and religion with many is, in some 
degree or other, a matter of concern, with some, the 
chief concern. Many have come wanting to make 
