The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-03

April, 1873, to Jan. 1881, he was rector of
st. Peters church in the Montana capi-
tai. During his rectorate he was also
chaplain of the Montana legislature
twice.
Before entering upon the rectorship at
Helena he had become engaged to Miss
Fannie CarVill, whom he met in Fari-
bault. The marriage took place in Holy
Trinity church, Philadelphia, Rev c. A.
Poole a lifelong friend, now a doctor of
divinity at Seabury hall, Faribault, being
the officiating priest.
In 1881 he was called to Christ church,
in this city, and st. Paul has ever since
been his home.
How Bishop Gilbert came to st. Paul
to be rector is peculiar. One of the YES
try men of Christ church was one day
walking down Third street, when he met
the Rev. E. S. Thomas, who was after
ward bishop of Kansas. He said 'Mr.
Thomas, who do you think would make
good rector for us?" Mr.. Thomas said:
1.-The Rev. NJ. N. Gilbert, of Helena" A
call was sent-it was accepted, and so
began the career of the man who is the
colaborer of Bishop Whipple. At that
time st. Paul was coming into life, and
the new rector attracted attention, the
church was filled, and he was one of the
popular men in st. Paul.
In 1888 lot was bought adjoining the
church, and a rectory erected, costing
about $1,000. In the spring and summer
or 1885 mission chapel was erected on
the corner of Randolph and View streets,
at a cost of $780, This is the present
prosperous st. Stephens mission, then
known as Christ church chapel
During the summer of 1895, through the
generous kindness Of a lady of New
York, st. Clements church, ST. Paul. was
erected, corner Of Portland and Milton
streets, which, at the request of the
donor, Bishop Gilbert has adopted as
his own official church.
In the spring of 1888 Bishop Gilbert was
prostrated with a very severe attack of
pneumonia, brought on by exposure and
which nearly took his life, but he was
present again at the diocesan council in
June when 1t assembled at Faribault,
though still, al that time, too weak to
read his annual address
Immediately after the adjournment of
the diocesan council held in 1893. Assist
ant Bishop Gilbert in company with the
ReV' John White, D. D., then warden Of
oeapury Divinity school, and now bishop
OF Inalana' sailed for Europe for a much
needed rest
He returned in October greatly
strengthened and improved in health.
ana reported to the council in the follow
lowing June $3.50 $50 persons confirmed
III Vlsitations made, and the number of
sermons and addresses delivered. 314
Ihese hgures give some idea of the ex-
ceilt Oh ms work, amid a widely scatter
ed population.
AT Christ church his sermons werA OIL
ways practical, and abreast of the
thought OF the times. 1t was his custom
LOT years TO read one sermon, which he
nad prepared with care, for every Sun
DAY, and to preach one without notes
nose VINO heard him in the years he was
rector at Christ church declare him one
or the best preachers in the West. The
The bishop was a conservative church
man. OF the Bishop Whipple type, and
to say this is to describe him exactly.
soon the diocese asked for an as
slstant. Steps were taken, looking to Sc
curing one. A council was called and
only TWO men were put in nomination for
the oflce. This was in Gethsemane
church, Minneapolis, when it was de-
clared by the bishop, in grave, serious
tones, full of emotion: You have.
brethren, by your votes, chosen the Rev.
M. N. Gilbert to be your assistant
bishop
A solemn silence for an Instant fell
upon the council, when 1t was broken bv
Rev. e. S. Thomas, who had a seat in
the middle aisle stepping into it, said:
Let us sing the TIE Deum,'" which was
done with solemnity and depth of feel
ing no one present will ever forget. That
is how an assistant bishop was chosen.
And when Bishop Gilbert was consecrated
at Chicago, Oct. II, 1885, the sermon of
the occasion was preached by Bishop Tut
tie, who had taken the young Gilbert to
Utah before his ordination, who had
known him since boyhood. Since that
day Bishop Whipple has often in public
said: Bishop Gilbert has been ever
since his election a constant joy to my
heart" The diocese is very large, the
Journeys which have to be taken are
long, some of them, particularly those
to visit the Indian missions. New work
needs to be undertaken, and the care and
service required of the bishops is very
great. Into all this Bishop Gilbert en-
tered with all his soul The way in which
the diocesan esteems his coadJutor is seen
when 1t is understood that when 1t was
proposed to divide the diocese he said:
Yes 1t is needful, ought to be done
but only on condition that Bishop Gilbert
stays with me in my diocese. cannot
part with him."