He had charge of a private academy at Sudbury, Massachusetts, while at the same time pursuing a course of theological and general study.

He resigned in 1856 and returned to Boston, where he served as the editor of Zion's Herald for seven years.

He then became the sixth President of Methodist-related Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

As an administrator he was judicious and successful, but wearied among the details of perceptoral duties.

His religious convictions were positive and controlling in all his life, and while ardently devoted to his own denomination, he was also broadly and generously catholic toward all other Christian bodies.He was given the degree of D.D.

[1] A street in Evanston, Illinois is named in his memory[3] and an endowed chair, currently held by Carole LaBonne and Luís Amaral, was established by Northwestern University.