 He studied theology and became a minister, serving as pastor of the Universalist Church in Methuen, Massachusetts, from 1835–1838.He moved west to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1838 and became owner and editor of the "Star and Sentinel", later called the "Star in the West", and also served as a pastor in that city.Gurley retired from the ministry in 1850, sold his newspaper in 1854 and retired to his farm near Cincinnati.