Morning journal and courier., 1882-02-20
A CIergyman's Dream.
| One That Strongly Impressed Him Short
1y Before His Violent Death.

One That Strongly Impressed Him snort
Iy Before His Violent Death.
from the St. Louis Christian Advocated
There are some very remarkable things in
connection with the death of the Rev. O. @.
Showers, local preacher of Bloomington,
Ind, who was suddenly crushed beneath the
cars at Greencastle on the 10Th ult- He
came up on the noon train of that day from
his home, en- route for indianapolis, and
thence to different points in Ohio, in the in
terest of the furniture factory of his three
sons. He came to Greencastle, and, having
three hours to wait, called on some of his
cd friends, appearing in better health than
usua-- He was q hale, active, robust man
of 65 years. On returning to the depot to
take the train east he hsa-ta- cross the track
Just at the double depot. He thought his
| train was coming beyond the platform, and
was walking with his hand to his face as
shield from the snow-storm- 1t proved the
down train for New Albany, and owing to
| the escaping steam from near engine, he
! did not hear the train, and stepped on the
track Immediately in front of the slow
| ing engine, He saw his danger and
| turned suddenly with his back to the train,
| but in his bewilderment had not time to leap
before the iron guard struck him. He was
carried SO feet, caught under the wheels
and crushed to death. He lived few min
utes but never spoke. But here Is the re
markable part of this terrible affair. On
| Saturday night, at his home, he had a strange
! and impressive dream, which awoke him
| He told his wife, and at early morn went to
one of his sons and related it to him. Hs
also told it in Brother w. +. Browning's
! class at the church of which he was mem
| ber He dreamed that he suddenly died,
| and guide escorted him among high noun
tains until they came to a deep ravine and
| large cave, into which great throng OF
| wretched people were entering. As each
one entered and was ordered to advance he
fell on his knees and begged for mercy, but
| a deep and solemn voice would say 1t IS too
| late ~ TOO late," ''too late," repeating 1t
thrice to each. His guide told him this was
the;entrance to hell, and they who entered
were worldly church members, and that the
fault was largely owing to the preachers,
| who preached more to please than to save
| souls The guide told him that was not his
DOOM and that he would soon take him to
his heavenly home. He was so impressed
with this strange, bright vision that be spent
all day Sunday reconsecratlng himself to
God. On Monday he was to start on his
trip and did so. One of his sons was to go
that same day to Louisville on important and
urgent business, to be absent day or two.
The father entreated him not to leave, say
ing, civilian, don't go to-day" why not,
father ?" said the son. He said: 'Do not
leave home until you hear from me-" Al
this the son promised to remain, and did So
About > o'clock that evening he received the
dispatch telling of his fathers death. This
is truly strange, and by many would have
been regarded as superstitious before the &C
cident, but surely not afterward. The morn
ing he left home he told his wife he kne"
not where or how soon he should fall, bu
for her to be assured that he was ready. On
the train he spent most of the time reading
a beautiful Bible, which he carried in hii
valise and talking long with an old friend
reading and expounding the third chapter O.
First John, to prove that one could live
holy life without sin. His fayorite them'
was sanctification, and had been for sever
years. He preached it, talked it, and pro
fessed the experience wherever he went
Many thought he made his hobby too pro
minent, but surely it was splendid hobb.
for such death.