He was not at the time professedly pious, though he seems to have had the ministry always in view; but it was not long after this, that he experienced, as he believed, a radical change in character, which he attributed, under God, to his own study of the scriptures.

Upon returning at the end of the year, Gilbert was unanimously elected pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware, where he settled.

Regarding their views as a fundamental error, he "attacked them with great boldness," and the result was a controversy through the public prints which was afterwards published in a volume called "The Letters of Paul and Amicus."

He later engaged in an oral controversy with a similar group of people, in which he "showed great power" and secured respect of even his opponents.

"[1] Gilbert often made missionary visits to nearby towns and neighborhoods, helping establish new churches and encourage existing ones.

Some prominent men in the region, who had previously been neglectful of religion, were brought to reflection and repentance through his instrumentality.