He chose to become an Anglican clergyman, rather than a grocer as his father had suggested, and attended the London College of Divinity in 1879. He was ordained as a deacon of the Church of England in 1879, with his first post as curate of Christchurch, Swindon.
He decided to become an Anglican clergyman rather than follow his father's advice to work as a grocer. In 1879, he attended the London College of Divinity and was ordained as a deacon for the Church of England, with his first role being curate at Christchurch, Swindon.