He was appointed to a Theological Lectureship in Montréal in 1875, to a Hebrew Lectureship in the University, and also a mathematical one there in 1876, holding these until 1878. He was appointed professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Theology in the Airedale, now United College, Bradford where he has taught for 38 years. He took his MA in McGill University in 1867 and his doctorate in law (LLD) by examination in 1882. In 1901 was made Doctor of Divinity by Queens University, Kingston, Canada for works published. He has written many works on theology which have been published in London and Bradford. He served on the Bradford City Council for two years, 1905-1907. He was chairman of the Yorkshire Congregational Union for 1895, presiding at the annual meeting in Sheffield.