On 25 February 1851, having lived in the town for only a few weeks, the SLIGHTs endured a baptism of fire when a mob marched on Sackville College and tried to burn it down "in consequence of some objections made by the relatives and others in the form of burial service it was proposed to observe at the funeral of a female inmate named Alchin."

Benjamin became an attendee on Sundays at Zion (Countess of Huntingdon's) Chapel in West Street, East Grinstead. This had been opened on 23 April 1811 by Rev. Rowland Hill, funds having been donated by the Countess of Huntingdon's Trust. Theologically both Calvinist and Methodist, the Chapel was, somewhat incongruously, using the Book of Common Prayer in the 1850s. Another Congregational Church existed in East Grinstead from 1847; this was the Rocks Chapel in Old Road (on the corner of Old Road not far from the East Court estate and from Sackville Cottage) opened on Good Friday 1850. Their minister from 1855, the Rev. James Turnbull M.A., was a friend of John Mason Neale and, despite the obvious theological differences, supported him on one occasion. Rev. Neale ministered to him on his deathbed in June 1858.

Although the "two years" Benjamin had been advised to take as rest were not yet exhausted, the idea of re-entering the ministry came to him in or before January 1852 when, in a letter to Joshua Wilson, he mentions a proposal to officiate at a service in Highgate and the possibility of taking on a small charge.

On 21 April 1852, the SLIGHTs were staying at 5, Cannon Place, Brighton whilst building alterations were taking place at Sackville Cottage. His wife's illness of the previous winter improved in Brighton and it was planned that she should proceed from there to Pembury to stay their with friends. Benjamin returned to East Grinstead alone on 21st.

Only a few days later, on 26 April 1852, Benjamin's elderly father, James, died in Union Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne at the age of 70.