[2] Licensed to preach by the Methodist church, Durbin went to Ohio in 1819 in order to begin his ministry.

His first church was in Hamilton, Ohio (1821); he entered classes at Miami University while serving there.

His nomination ended in a tie in the Senate, and Vice-President John C. Calhoun voted for another chaplain who was from the church his mother attended.

[7] In 1833, Dickinson College became part of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church; Durbin was called to be the new president, serving until 1844.

[8][9][10] Following retirement from the college, Durbin served Union Methodist Church in Philadelphia.