He was born at Aberystwyth, his father being a merchant and a pioneer of Welsh Methodism, and his mother a niece of Thomas Charles of Bala.

He returned to this charge after a pastorate at Liverpool (1853–1856), left it again in 1858 for Newtown, and went in May 1859 to the Welsh church at Jewin Crescent, London.

Here he remained until 1876, and from that date till 1882, although living at Bangor for reasons of health, had the chief oversight of the church.

He was a serious student, especially of anti-theistic positions, a good speaker, and a frequent contributor to Welsh theological journals.

Several of his articles have been collected and published, the most noteworthy being expositions on the First Epistle of John (1889), Ephesians (2 vols., 1896, 1901), Psalms (1897), Romans (1902); and The Atonement and Intercession of Christ (1899, English trans.