C. T. Studd: Cricketer and Pioneer

by Norman P. Grubb

Norman Grubb chronicles the life of C.T. Studd, an evangelist, missionary and founder of WEC International. Grubb highlights the numerous accomplishments of Studd as an acclaimed Cambridge University cricketer. As the husband of one of Studd’s daughters, with rare insight, Grubb provides a view of Studd’s professional and spiritual life.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion, History, Theology

263 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

Norman Percy Grubb was a missionary statesman, writer and theological teacher.

Reviews

[Reuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Definitely liked the concepts of specific prayer. I enjoyed how CT Studd would only preach from the bible and not from other books. I liked how CT Studd would get a new bible each year so that his previous notes would not affect his current preaching and so that his preaching was directly from God's current impact in his life instead of a past sermon that was specific for that previous time. Near the end of CT Studd's life, his hobbies were described as, "His supreme joy was to drop these tasks and go out evangelizing."
I enjoyed his other quote, "I don't care what happens to me, joy or sorrow, health or pain, life or death, so long as Jesus is glorified."
As a guy who enjoys baseball gambling, I really enjoyed how CT Studd relates mission work to gambling. Some people think CT Studd is known for the term "Gambling for God" but it originally started from one of his friends. He started hinting at it in the rest of the book. He constantly talks about staking everything on God. I recall how many times I've staked all my money on the Dodger's best player, Trae Turner, hoping that he would make at least 2 runs in the game, knowing full well that if I put my money on Trae Turner I would most definitely make my money back and make a profit. In the same way I can feel CT Studd's emotions when he has no control over a sitch so he declares that he is going to stake everything he has on Jesus. CT Studd shows how staking everything on Jesus is the only way to go through life. Like Trae Turner shows up and bridges the gap in baseball betting, Jesus will guaranteed show up and bridge the gap in your life. This is a must read.

[Karen L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible missionary life of sacrifice! He spent like his last 16 years of his life in the heart of Africa, separated from his devoted wife most of that time. I love his famous quote," If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make."

[Norman Falk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es la biografía de un joven que dejó todo lo que pareciera ser deseable para cualquier joven y obedeció el llamado de Dios y el impulso de su corazón, metiéndose en las selvas de África y en los interiores de India y China para llevar el evangelio a los no alcanzados.

Yo había escuchado mucho de Studd y estuve expectante cuando vi este libro. Con el deseo de asombrarme, ser motivado y aprender al apreciar el carácter y la vida de este hombre de Dios, lo compré.

Grubb, en parte supo satisfacer ese deseo, en parte no. Algunas veces se pierde en información secundaria, no construye puentes claros entre un escenario y el otro y a veces no se sabe quién es el que habla; Grubb o Studd.

Algunas partes eran demasiadas aburridas, otras sin embargo, encendían el corazón. Adquirí la la versión bolsillo del libro, pero luego me arrepentí: letra chica y párrafos larguísimos (a veces uno por página). Termine el libro (cojeando) para no sentir esa sensación de haber comenzado pero no terminado el libro.

De todas formas, aprendí más de la vida de C.T Studd y pude rescatar algunas características sobresalientes, que (en mi opinión) justifican la lectura del libro:
1. Oración ferviente
2. Constante llenura y dependencia total del Espíritu Santo
3. Una confianza inquebrantable en las promesas de Dios
4. Una pasión mucho mayor por Dios que por todo lo que el mundo puede ofrecer
5. Una pasión por las almas perdidas
6. Una fe evidenciada en buenas obras (eso es lo que tanto deseaba para los nuevos creyentes)
7. En todo esto, perseverancia

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A biography of C.T.Studd, one of the "Cambridge Seven", and his mission work in China, India, the U.S. and Africa.

This book is a bit slow in places - the author selected some very boring or incomprehensible journal entries for certain chapters. Overall an interesting read.

C.T.Studd played cricket for England, after which he felt called to mission work with Hudson Taylor. His father had been a bit of a gambler, and you can certainly see the gambler personality coming out in C.T.Studd as you read his biography. He didn't bet on sporting events, but he was a reckless gambler in nearly every endeavor of his life (health, finances, family etc..). Fortunately he gambled on God, so it worked out well.

[Patrick S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up after hearing my pastor talk about it in a sermon. When I read a biography I really like to have primary sources in it and not just the biographer's interpretation of the person's life. It's amazing how much material Grubb obtained and how much the different people saved.

After reading this book it's clear to me that Studd was a person of great passion and a disciple of Christ. I also was able to read the flaws in the man's walk and how he could be challenging to live or work with. Grubb does a very good job covering the first part of that tone. He lays out Studd's life pretty straightforward. Although, some of the areas he focuses on aren't particularly necessary and are sometimes just there to quote from a letter. While he's willing to highlight and extol Studd's positive qualities, he tends to glance over what are almost troubling items to read. Like the fact that he left his wife and went to serve in Africa or that his wife seemed to have a mental break and he continued to serve in Africa. And while, Studd was upfront with his wife about what to expect with their lives if she married him, it does not seem like the actions of a loving husband and shows wisdom in Paul's desire for some to remain unmarried in their service to the Lord.

There are some amazing stories in this book and I've used some in my teaching. Studd had an amazing impact wherever he went and his work was indeed blessed by God. However, this book sometimes doesn't read quite right. Grubb seems to get caught up in the swell of the love for Studd, which is nice to see with a biographer, however some of the pages just drone on and on. Either that or statements or paragraph are written that have terrible flow and are disjointed. Because of this, this book took a long time to get through - and it's not that long.

All that being said, I did enjoy this book and I have a respect for Studd because of it. The use of primary sources is amazing and the passion Grubb has for his subject is read throughout. Because of some disjointed text flow and an unwillingness to point out heavy flaws in the subject, it's a slower read. The danger in missionary books though is the threat of being bitten to serve. Studd's mentoring and passion for Christ and evangelism is inspiring. I believe this book is the best on the man you'll probably ever find. Final Grade - B-

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

C.T. Studd was an amzing man used by God to do amazing things. I like the book overall and was encouraged and challenged.

The book starts out slow and I actually quit reading after awhile before deciding to give it another chance. I find myself enjoy more direct quotes from Studd as one can sense his passion more directly that way. The narration also seemed to improve toward end of the book.

My main concerns: Ditto what Patrick S. said below, I found the fact he left his wife for that many years troubling. I understand she needs to stay home to run the organization but perhaps someone else could be found to do that job after a few years?

As well as some of the standards/ideals regarding the "proper values". People got in trouble for wanting a day off! I can only imagine this kind of value is more "normal" back then.

I found it EXTREMELY interesting too that they cited World War I soldiers' example of valor as the basis of their revival. I just happened to be listening to Dan Carlin's hardcore history on WWI and A LOT of the soldiers then thought the orders to charge right after the people before them got mowed down because they don't have a way to deal with barbed wire pretty insane.

Some of the theological aspects of the book are bit troubling. C.T. Studd was big on asking people to receive the Holy Spirit after they believed, as a separate, albeit immediate event. He cites the examples of apostles as the reason for this. The apostles had to have Pentecost because when they believed, Jesus hasn't returned to heaven so Holy Spirit hasn't come down yet. This is no longer the case so again, I wonder if this might have been the theological "norm" of that age?

Word of Faith? The author Norman Grubb said on page 228 "We saw that the men of faith in the Bible, by whom God did impossible things, always fulfilled one condition beforehand - they demonstrated that they had really believed God by openly stating beforehand what He was going to do, in full assurance that He would do it."

Now if the author meant people showed their faith by fully believe what God has REVEALED what he is going to do then I am in agreement. Otherwise such statement could be read as whatever we claim, whether it be the will of God or not, will happen if we just say stating it, in other words, Word of Faith.

[Ken Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as I began to feel that I was overdue for reading a missionary biography, I found this book in a thrift store! As one of the more notable pioneer missionaries of the nineteenth century, it's odd that I've never gotten around to reading C.T. Studd's story, but this is partly due to a bias I felt against him as a man who had left his wife and children to pursue missions. Yet he is still spoken of in the same discussions in which William Carey and Hudson Taylor are mentioned, so I thought I should look a little closer. As I read it, it was difficult not to admire Studd's dedication and zeal for people who needed to hear about Jesus. His desire was always to reach those who had no other witness around them and would not hear of Jesus unless someone went to tell them. This zeal took him initially to China, then to India and finally to the Belgian Congo where he had the greatest impact. His love for the people he worked among was obvious, and his wife, in fact (who was unable to go to the Congo for health reasons), zealously led the work at the home base in England. I wouldn't want to follow in all of his footsteps, but I certainly could learn a great deal from this passionate man of God!

[Gregory Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is labled a biography, it is also a bit of an autobiography since Grubb quotes at great length from Studd’s own journals. What we get form this book is the portrait of a man who had an unbridled passion for Jesus. He loved his Lord with a heart that gave everything to His service. I first encountered the name of C. T. Studd in 1978 through Barry McGuire’s son “Enter In”. In that song, McGuire describes him as “a humble man, serv(ing) the Lord both night and day. With all his life, he lived to honor Him, and at His fee he learned to pray.” That is indeed the man in this book. From his travels to China, India, and Africa, we see a man who pursues those who have not heard the name of Jesus so that he can give witness to the Savior of the world. Good (auto)biography and very inspirational.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this book was a little hard to get into. It is a pseudo-autobiography in that it is a collection of letters and other writings by CT Studd collected with his son-in-law providing commentary on what was happening. I did not like this at first but as I got going I realized this was a perfect biography, it was what was actually said and done by Studd not some white washed retelling or a fan writing about how great someone was. These were the thoughts and feelings of Studd as told to his family and friends, not knowing that this would ever be collected. So there is an authenticity to this that is really awesome! This man's life was one of complete devotion to Christ, after all what else would you expect from someone whose name is Studd!

[G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another biography where the subject is much more interesting than the book written about him. The book wavers back and forth between devotional reading and information, and has a hard time finding the right balance. That said, there are flashes of compelling writing here. C. T. Studd's life was a truly adventurous one, but the book drags at points. I would have enjoyed more about the books and pamphlets that he wrote, which are still impactful today. So not my favorite book, but I'd be interested to read another one on the same subject.

[Ben Thorp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into a truly remarkable man. The prose can be stilted at times, because it's mostly constructed from letters written by CT Studd, but this doesn't actually affect the flow of the story at all. The original imprint of this book is from 1933, and even with a postscript from 1982 it doesn't really cover the legacy that Studd left behind. Have a poke around Wikipedia once you've finished to flesh out some of the additional details.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missionary biography telling the inspiring story of C. T. Studd and the founding of the WEC mission agency. C. T. Studd's all-consuming personal commitment to Jesus and his willingness to sacrifice everything for the cause of the gospel are a rebuke to my own comfortable lifestyle. (For cricket fans, the first few chapters about early English cricket are great, particularly the first ever Ashes test, which C. T. Studd played in.)

[Daniel Ligon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story for sure, moderately well written. I can't agree with C. T. Studd's philosophy of Christian life, though. He was much too mystical in his view of God's will and God's workings. In addition, there's no excuse for the fact that he spent the last years of his life in Africa separated from his wife because of her bad health. A Christian man's duty is to provide for his wife (1 Timothy 5:8) and dwell with her (1 Peter 3:7).

[Lisa Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book by Norman Grubb (who happens to be C.T. Studd's son-in-law) and a terrific story of a strong missionary pioneer. My father-in-law kept recommending that I read it and, when I finally picked it up, was sorry I hadn't done so when he first mentioned it. A fascinating story full of faith, adventure, and godliness. (I confess that I'm glad I wasn't his wife though :)

[Graham Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Moody publication written by C.T. Studd's son-in-law Norman P. Grubb. The way the Lord got a hold of him as a young man and moved Studd to a life a service for the Lord. There are some older anachronisms and ideas associated with this book but the heart of service is evident to all.

[Carrie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A movie should be made about this man's life. Talk about an adventure! A great example of sacrificing everything to do what God is calling you to do with your life.

[Joanna Zeiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped transform my life.

[Matt Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stirring biography of a courageous and faith-filled missionary to three of the neediest places in the world: China, India, and Africa.

[Dwight Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

great missionary biography

[Jeremy Utley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So many great things about this book. What a man! What a life! What a mighty God he served!! Made me think of 2 Chron 16:9.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book telling the story of CT Studd, the great cricketer who became an even greater missionary. This was a challenging read as Studd gave up everything to tell people about Jesus. It stands in the face of much of the insipid ness of the 21st century church and shows how God works in those who give him their all.”

[Ryan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and captivating biography on a faithful servant of the Lord, who impacted the lives of so many in India, China, and Africa. Studd's commitment to see the gospel furthered among the least reached, amidst joys and trials should inspire us, who are called to be that same type of witness to the nations.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally dedicated to the Great Commission!

[Steve Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you get past the first couple of chapters talking about cricket it’s a very interesting read. Studd was definitely not cut from the same cloth as today’s missionaries but there is so much to be learned from his life.

[Ethan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in 1972 as a collection of letters and events investigated about C.T. Studd. CT was born into a rich family. His father was converted by Moody when CT and his three brothers were still in the house. All brothers followed after their father in conversion. Their father became radical in his desire to share the gospel until he passed. This however did not transfer completely to his sons. CT and his brothers went off to college at Cambridge. Most of CT’s focus was on cricket. He became quite proficient at the sport and lead his college team in a victory against the professional Australian team against all odds. However CT would soon forsake all his sporting endeavors when one of his brothers (G.B.) who was also famous for his cricket skill was on the brink of death. This is when CT said, “Only one life twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last.”
CT surrendered his life to God’s will and decided that he would serve in the China inland mission with six others, being known as the Cambridge Seven, serving under Hudson Taylor. They toured England to raise awareness of the need then set sail.
China was were CT spent his youth in great adventure. He ventured far and often to share the gospel and make disciples of many Chinese. Being under Hudson Taylor they all dressed in traditional Chinese dress and lived completely Chinese. There are many stories of illnesses and sores that were healed on their long journeys by prayer.
Then CT met Priscilla his soon to be wife. She also a radical follower of Christ has her own stories of great faithfulness. Before they were to be married CT received his 25 million dollar inheritance. He decided that on the basis of scripture the best investment was to give it all away. So he gave all but some away for the sake of the care of his future wife. When before marriage he presented his fiance with the small portion she asked CT what Jesus said to the rich young ruler. So now his wife asked that the portion set aside for the family also be given away. On returning to China it was said they returned with five dollars and the clothes on their back.

Their ministry prospered together. They were given four daughters which CT saw as a great gift because the Chinese kill all newborn girls as seeing them as a curse.
CT became very ill, but refused to return home on the basis that God has told him to go but not yet that he should return
Eventually the Lord called the family back to England. CT contuned to minster, convert, and raise up workers.
Next CT became a pastor in India where his father was once a great indigo salesman.
Finally when 51 he returned to England again. While reading a magazine he read, “cannibals want missionaries” to which he chuckled and thought for more reasons than one! He was determined to be a missionary in Africa. HE had great visions of a new crusade for Christ in Africa He had no support. One group offered support if he could pass health checks, which there was no way he did. So CT went out in faith without the money to support. He went without family to trek into the heart of Africa and begin setting up missions stations. Many stories of how the Lord provided through his aliments and provided missions station location and funding. His family came for a period. His daughters were baptized. His family left to England. His wife desiring to be with him, worked faithfully to run the new orginization that CT made Heart of Africa Mission, eventually Worldwide evangelism crusade.

Many told him in his old age to go back to England but he refused. He lived the rest of his life converting cannabals and preaching. WEC became worldwide and spread the gospel greatly based on CT’s foundation.

What is it worth to possess the riches of the world, when a man comes to face Eternity?

“Some want to live within the sound
Of church or chapel bell;
I want to run a rescue shop,
Within a yard of hell.”

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

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

“Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.”
The light that shines farthest shines brightest nearest home.”

“The “romance” of a missionary is often made up of monotony and drudgery; there often is no glamour in it; it doesn’t stir a man’s spirit or blood. So don’t come out to be a missionary as an experiment; it is useless and dangerous. Only come if you feel you would rather die than not come. Don’t come if you want to make a great name or want to live long. Come if you feel there is no greater honor, after living for Christ, than to die for Him.”

“God's real people have always been called fanatics.”

“True religion is like the smallpox. If you get it, you give it to others and it spreads.”

I realized that my life was to be one of simple, childlike faith, and that my part was to trust, not to do. I was to trust in Him and He would work in me to do His good pleasure. From that time my life was different.

Christ wants not nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible, by faith in the omnipotence, fidelity, and wisdom of the Almighty Saviour Who gave the command. Is there a wall in our path? By our God we will leap over it! Are there lions and scorpions in our way? We will trample them under our feet! Does a mountain bar our progress? Saying, 'Be thou cast into the sea,' we will march on. Soldiers of Jesus! Never surrender!

I cannot tell you what joy it gave me to bring the first soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have tasted almost all the pleasures that this world can give. I do not suppose there is one that I have not experienced, but I can tell you that those pleasures were as nothing compared to the joy that the saving of that one soul gave me.

My only joys therefore are that when God has given me a work to do, I have not refused it.

[J. D. Hilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esto es uno de los personajes cristianos que más me ha impactado con su manera de vivir obedeciendo a Dios, y demostrando que ese obedecer - aunque a veces un tanto amargo o en contra de la propia voluntad/deseo - lleva a aquella vida llena de aventuras apasionantes con un Dios apasionado!

Que Dios nos de agallas para vivir en fe como lo hizo este hombre con toda su familia.

[Joy Burroughs · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a drag to get through, but I found the information interesting.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite biographies of a man who committed himself to serve God no matter what the cost!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The edition of this excellent biography that I read was hardcover, the "eighth impression," November 1937; first published in November 1933. I found it in the giveaway shelf at the church library. You know a book has fallen on hard times when even the church library doesn't want it.
But ... but well-worth reading. C.T. Studd was a remarkable man, even among missionaries; a man who had a profound and far-reaching impact in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
He was among the Cambridge Seven, a group of high-achievers who all chose to follow God's call to China, where they lived and dressed like the people around them to better give themselves the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with the Chinese.
But he continued from there, accepting missionary assignments in India, in the United States and finally -- most audaciously and for the remainder of his life -- in the heart of Africa.
"Assignment" is really the wrong word for his Africa work. Because of precarious health, his doctor ordered him not to go. Because of those orders, his missionary agency refused to support his work.
He went anyway. Actually, Studd never asked for support. He went on faith. Both he and his wife were from privileged backgrounds, but they gave away everything they had when they began their missionary endeavors.
He spoke on his death bed, Norman P. Grubb reports, but the only word that people could make out was "Hallelujah," repeated a number of times. Hundreds of Africans gathered for his funeral.
The writing style of this biography certainly seems dated. But the author was Studd's son-in-law, and knew him intimately. At times during the Africa section, Grubb suddenly writes in the first person plural, and the reader realizes that during that period Grubb and his wife were with Studd in Africa. It's like reading the sections of the Acts of the Apostles when Luke writes in the first person plural, and you realize that Luke experienced those events alongside the Apostle Paul.
Studd's approach to presenting the Gospel was as straight-forward as could be. He described it in writing during his time in the U.S. Here's a portion:
God has made things so plain to me and enables me to put it plainly to others. Here is the gist of what I tell them. Assurance of salvation depends on the fact that Jesus paid the penalty of your sin, not on any feeling of yours. As Christ died for you, you belong by rights to Him. After further explanation, I say, "Will you not in a practical business way on your knees yield yourself and all to Jesus?" "Yes." Then he or she does it, and I ask if Jesus has accepted them. If they do not know, I simply ask if God is a liar, which at once produces the required assurance, as it is impossible for God to have lied.

[richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

C. T. Studd, Cricketer and Pioneer ~ Norman P. Grubb

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

First of all I have to mention the writer Norman P. Grubb, he is fantastic at writing he wrote another excellent book well worth checking out, "The Intercessor"

Now this book was wonderful, I had heard about C.T. Studd and so was excited to read the biography and let me tell you it didn't let me down. C.T was an amazing man of God who at the height of his fame in cricket kept his vow despite the disapproval of fans and family, he kept his vow to go as a missionary to China.

C.T also had a great view on money, it wasn't his but God's and so not wanting to be like the rich young ruler, when his father died he inherited a big amount of money. However he was determined to give it all away and so he wrote out many cheques and sent them out where needed.

C.T was sold out for one thing, to know Jesus and preach Jesus to anyone and everyone. He was a missionary in China, India and Africa - he did it often in hardships without money and food etc. He gave up everything for the cause of Christ.

Have to also mention his wonderful wife who also had the same mindset as C.T - they spend years and years apart for the sake of the gospel. He would be out on mission and she would look after the mission control in London. Most of their married life was spent apart from each other.

Love this man, his life, his faith, his story. A lot to be learned from people like C.T. Studd