Gilbert, Gad Smith

Gilbert, Gad Smith a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, September 22, 1814. He studied at the Wesleyan University with a view to the ministry, but for several years he turned his attention to secular pursuits. In 1842 he joined the New York Conference, and was stationed at New Milford, Connecticut. Subsequently he was stationed at Woodbury and Wolcottville. In 1847 he located, and removed to Louisiana on account of the sickness of his wife, who died during the same year. While at the South, however, he had charge of the Methodist Church at Opelousas, La. In, 1848 he returned and joined the New York East Conference, and was stationed at Greenport, Long Island. After that he was stationed at Southport, Conn., First Place, Brooklyn, and Rye, New York. In 1855 he was agent for the Wesleyan University. In 185.6 he .was stationed at Port Chester, New York, and afterwards at Second Avenue, New York City, Sag Harbor, Long Island, De Kalb Avenue, Brooklyn, Tompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, which society he organized. His last appointment was Southport, Connecticut. He died in New Haven, August 1, 1866. Shortly before his death he praised God, saying, "This house is as that of Obed-Edom, where the ark of the Lord rested; it is the gate of heaven; heaven has come down to earth. the angels are here. This disease is drawing my body down to earth, but Jesus is drawing my soul up to heaven; I shall soon be there." And just before he ceased to live on earth he said, "Is this dying? it is felicity! O how precious Jesus is! Glory, halleluiah!" — Minutes of Conferences, 1867, page 77.