On 17 Feb. 1850 he became assistant to James Brooks (1806–1854) at Hyde chapel, Gee Cross, Cheshire, succeeding in 1854 as sole pastor, and remaining till the end of 1866.
He had accepted a call to succeed John Hamilton Thom at Renshaw Street Unitarian Chapel, Liverpool, and entered on this charge on 3 March 1867, retaining it till his death.
In his denomination he took first rank as a preacher, and was equally successful in satisfying a cultured class by his written discourses, and in holding a popular audience by his spoken word.
In addition to denominational activities, he combined in an unusual degree the pursuits of a scholar with journalistic writing and public work.
His numerous activities heavily taxed a robust constitution; in 1886 he spent six months in Italy; in 1887 his health was more seriously broken, and his congregation made provision for his taking a year's rest.