C. T. Studd (1860-1931): Adventurer in the Faith

Summary of his life:

1860 –Born in England

1884 – One of the “Cambridge Seven”, committing serve with China Inland Mission and starting a revival at Cambridge

1885 – Cambridge Seven sail to China

1896 – C. T. was invited to the United States to share about his experiences in China

1900-1906 – was the pastor of Union Church in Ootacamund, South India

1908 – Call to Africa

December 15, 1910 – Left for Africa for the first time

1913 – C. T. returned to Africa with Alfred Buxton

July 16, 1931 – C. T. passed to his reward.

C.T. Studd’s father Edward was saved at a D. L. Moody evangelism campaign in London.

C.T. Studd became one of the “Cambridge Seven”, seven young men who answered the call from God through China Inland Mission to go to China.

C.T. Studd took to heart Luke 18:18-22 and set about ensuring he would not make the same mistake that the rich young ruler had made. He was due to receive his inheritance on his 25th birthday, which as far as he could tell was worth £29,000. On Jan 13, 1887 he sent out nine checks, ultimately giving away his inheritance in its entirety.

His total inheritance would be worth around $3.75 million today.

Married PriscillaStudd in China. C. T. had said, “Well, please God I don’t want to marry, but if I do, I want to marry a real Salvation Army Hallelujah Lassie.”

Working in Lungang-Fu in inland China, the Studds worked for years to overcome the prejudices and fears of the local people. Spreading the gospel and helping those in need, they started an Opium Refuge for the recovery of addicts. During seven years, about 800 men and women were treated, and some were saved as well as cured.

Similar to Hudson Taylor, the Studds did not ask for support, other than from God, even when in desperate need.

Call to Africa came when his saw a sign that caught his attention and sense of humor. “Cannibals want missionaries.” His response to himself was, “Why, sure they do, for more reasons than one…I will go inside and see who could have put up such a notice as that.” This is how he met Dr. Karl Kumm and caught the Africa bug.

C. T. continued to serve the Lord until he died in Africa, among the people that he loved. During his time in Africa, he saw his wife for two weeks. C. T. sacrificed everything he had to serve Christ, serving and preaching until God took him home.

Fellow Laborers:

The faith of his brothers had a significant impact in his return to the faith in college.

The Cambridge Seven, worked together to begin a revival at Cambridge, before leaving for China

Alfred Buxton, son of a friend from Cambridge. Alfred journeyed with C. T. through Kenya and Uganda together.

What can we learn and apply today from the life of C. T. Studd?

Faith in God’s Provision: “Let the victors when they come,

When the forts of folly fall,

Find thy body near the wall.” – Alfred B. Buxton in letter to C. T. Studd

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” – C. T. Studd

Read Luke 9:57-62 and 18:18-27. How did C. T. Studd live out the principles found in these passages?

What do these passages mean to us today?

Matthew 6:19-20 teaches us where our priorities should be as Christians. Jesus yielded his rights to the privileges of being God’s Son to come to earth and pave the way for our salvation (Philippians 2:5-8). In daily life, we should be making our decisions based on their eternal consequences, not just on what we want now. Where are some areas you can do this better?

Primary source for this study:

  1. Grubb, Norman P. C. T. Studd – Cricketer and Pioneer ( Kindle version)

Digging Deeper:

  1. Benge, Janet and Geoff. C. T. Studd: No Retreat. (YWAM Publishing, 2005)
  1. Studd, C. T. The Chocolate Soldier.

All scripture quotes are from the New American Standard Bible, © 2000 The Lockman Foundation