the town. When the Showers family heard of 

 them, they frequently attended their meetings, 

 attracted thither by the presence of God among 

 them. They had not attended the meetings many 

 times before Mr. Showers felt led to unite with 

 the little company though but few and lightly es- 

 teemed. He was somewhat surprised to be refused 

 when h ^requested admittance. Among other arti- 

 cles sold in his father's store was tobacco. As a 

 clerk it was frequently necessary for him to sell it ; 

 although his father, already convicted of the evil 

 of its use. was merely endeavoring to close out 

 the stock on hand. The minister kindly but 

 firmly stated that a person could not be received 

 into the church while engaging in the sale of this 

 article. This, Mr. Showers felt, was a right stand 

 for the church to take, so he told his father that 

 he could not remain longer in the store unless 

 the tobacco was gotten rid of at once. Where- 

 upon his father immediately disposed of it. 

 Shortly after not only he but also his parents and 

 sister were received by letter, into the Free Meth- 

 odist Church in May, 1886. 



The same devotion that characterized the life 

 of Mr. Showers in his pursuit of worldly pleasures 

 was just as apparent in his service to Christ from 

 the very beginning. He allowed nothing to con- 

 flict with the will of God. His own desires and 

 ambitions were made subservient to the Divine 



