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 opted to become an Anglican clergyman, unlike his father's recommendation of becoming a grocer, and enrolled at the London College of Divinity in 1879. He was ordained as a deacon of the Church of England in 1879, with his initial role as curate for Christchurch, Swindon.