tiringly in camp-meetings and grove-meetings 

 where he doubtless won many to Jesus. 



In the fall of 1889, at the age of twenty-one 

 years, he joined the Pittsburg Conference. He 

 had so developed in knowledge of God and 

 strength of Christian character that the Confer- 

 ence scut him to the Oil City charge. It was 

 just about this time that Rev. R. W. Hawkins, 

 now deceased, said of him, "We will not have 

 Brother Showers with us long." When asked 

 for his reason for speaking thus he replied, " He 

 is maturing too fast, he will soon be ripe for 

 Heaven." 



Rev. D. B. Tobey, District Elder of the Oil 

 City district, says of him at this time, ' ' I was at 

 once powerfully impressed with his brilliancy 

 and solidity. His religious experience and gen- 

 eral demeanor denoted a deeper knowledge of 

 divine things and a clearer understanding of 

 man's relation and accountability to God than is 

 often seen in men of twice or thrice his age," and 

 the ministers of the Conference in general were 

 astonished at his depth of thought, clear and 

 prompt delivery and spiritual discernment. 



His work in Oil City was marked by the help 

 of God. He soon had the hearts of his people. 

 During the winter he held a series of revival 

 meetings that stirred the whole city. Rev. V. 

 A. Dake assisted in these meetings for five 



