The Indianapolis journal., 1885-10-22
WELCOMING A PASTOR.
The Members of Meridian Street Congrega-
tion Give a Reception to DR.. Gilbert.

Rev. J. E. Gilbert, ID. D., the new pastor of
Meridian-street NJ. E. Church. with his wife and
children, were formally, but warmly welcomed
last evening to his new charge and their new
home. The welcoming exercises in the main
audience-room of the church. with Theodore P.
Haughey as chairman and the venerable DIR.
Thomas FL. Lynch occupying with DR..
Gilbert and the chairman upon the platform,
opened with the anthem, Nearer My
God to Thee.n After which prayer was
offered by Dr. Lynch William Bosson read a
Scripture lesson, after which Daisy Lemon a
miss just entering her teens. delivered bright
and pleasing address of welcome on behalf of the
children of the Sunday school Miss Mary Rari-
den delivered a brief and happily -worded address
of welcome on behalf of the adult members of
the Sunday school, and Charles w. Smith con-
cluded with an address cordially welcoming tn Q
Doctor and his family, in the name of the con
gregation.
Dr.. Gilbert, in an exceedingly happy and
graceful manner, replied to all the speeches.
warmly thanking the speakers for their express
sions of good will. He said he was not wholly
stranger in Indianapolis, as thirteen years ago.
while attending a Sunday-school convention n
here, he had stood in that same pulpit and de-
ivered address. DR. Andrus was then pastor
He (Dr. Gilbert) was then a guest of Mr. and
Mrs Ridenour, and Mr.. Ridenour then told
that some day he would be pastor of Meridian
street Church. He was then young man and
the prophesy, while it fattered him did not ap-
pear likely to ever be fulfilled Yet here, in the
providence of God, he had come at last
DR.. 5. t. Gillett then pronounced the benedic
Sion, and the audience repairing to the Sunday
school room below where refreshments were
served, spent an hour in pleasant intercourse and
in makiag acquaintance with the pastor and his
family.
Dr. Gilbert is native of western New York.
In early life he hestated somewhat in choosing
his vocation. Having completed thorough lit
erary course of study he entered the law Office
of Henry Day. prominent attorney of Buffalo,
with the legal profession in view. year later
he became the city editor of the
Buffalo Courier, acquiring a taste for edi-
torial work which has never forsaken him.
subsequently he engaged in teaching in which
calling he remained for several years At last
yielding to convictions that had followed him
for long time. he entered the ministry of
the NJ E. Church, uniting with the Cincin-
natl Conference in 1871. His appoint
ments have been Asbury Church, Cincinnati;
Centenary Church, Lexington, KY; First
Church, Topeka, Kan; Summerfeld Chnrch,
Milwaukee, Wis; Divsion-street Church, Grand
Rapids Mich. The Doctor has never served two
churches in any Que State, and has never closed
congregation. The degree of doctor of
divinity was conferred upon him in 1884
by Cornell College, upon the petition of
about fifty ministers, representing four
different denominations. DR.. Gilbert has been
very widely known as a Sunday school worker
and author. His writings have been mostly upon
educational topics, among them may be named
these works: "The Sundsy-school Normal
Guide" THE Teacher Preparing" "The Teacher
Teaching" 1.-THE Earnest Christian" Dur
ing his ministerial career he has been
several times rendered college presidency, but
has declined. believing that his proper place is in
the pulpit He comes to this city in the full
vigor of his powers, and his new congregation
entertain high hopes of his usefulness.
Among those to press forward and take the
hand of the new pastor was Rev. DR.. w. L.
Hypes of Cincinnati, an old friend of Dr. Gil
bert, who happens to be here for the purpose of
uniting In marriage to day Edward F. Cost and
father of the bride also being an old friend of
Dr. Hypes.