He spent nearly two years pastoring in Columbus, Ohio, before his wife developed an illness and the couple were advised to return to her home state of New Jersey, where Roberts continued preaching.

[4] During this period, Roberts's wife developed an illness which was considered to be "incurable in [that] climate", according to the Daily Ohio Statesman, and doctors recommended she return to her home state of New Jersey.

[5][6] Shortly before leaving Ohio,[5] Roberts conducted the funeral services for Samuel Medary,[7] the final territorial governor of Minnesota.

He left Westminster to become a secretary of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) Board of Home Missions, a position he held until 1886.

[10] After this plan stalled in its second year and the payments became delayed, Roberts lost faith in the school's ability to implement the policy and ultimately resigned effective February 26, 1892.

[15] In addition to improving the college grounds and the landscaping of the campus,[1][2] Roberts oversaw Centre's consolidation with Central University, located in Richmond, Kentucky.

[16] As a result, the colleges consolidated, with the Southern Presbyterian Synod formally approving the move on April 23, 1901, and the Central Alumni Association doing the same on June 18.

[24] Two days following his death, Central's Board of Trustees announced that they would delay the search for his replacement by several months; John C. Fales served another term as interim president before Frederick W. Hinitt was elected to succeed Roberts.