There he studied for the external intermediate examination of the University of London, which he failed in 1896, probably because he had spent too much of his time on poetic and literary pursuits. The failure precluded him at that time from being accepted into the Baptist ministry.
He pursued higher education through the University of London's external examination program, which he ultimately failed in 1896 due to an overemphasis on literary pursuits. This failure barred him from entering the Baptist clergy at that time.