 In 1857 he associated himself with an educational prize scheme for aiding promising scholars at elementary schools; and in 1870 he helped to promote the National Association League, of which he became chairman.As a churchman he advocated religious teaching in elementary schools, and found himself strongly opposed by a minority of the members of the League; but he held his own in a long struggle.In 1879 Sargant retired from business, and he died at Birmingham on 2 November 1889.