[5] He then spent fifteen years in Totnes, as, from approximately October 1872[6] until his consecration in 1888, the Archdeacon of Totnes, and where he also became a rural dean and a Canon Residentiary of Exeter Cathedral (1886–1888).

[7][8] As Bishop of Marlborough, he was suffragan to Frederick Temple and Mandell Creighton as successive Bishops of London, and was given charge of the western part of the Diocese of London.

[5] Earle was often in ill-health during this period, and Alfred Barry (former Primate of Australia) frequently deputised for him; when Earle resigned his responsibilities for West London in June 1900, Barry took these up (but not the See).

[10] Installed as Dean of Exeter on 28 August 1900, Earle left London but nominally retained his see[11] until his death.

He resigned the deanery during 1918,[12] and died at the end of the year,[13] at Torquay, Devon,[14] in the week following his 91st birthday.