The Cambridge Seven: The True Story of Ordinary Men Used in No Ordinary Way

by John Charles Pollock

Harold Schofield, a brilliant Oxford doctor who had laboured as a missionary in China for many years, was on his knees praying, Lord, give me missionaries from British Universities to help in China . The day he died, D. E. Hoste applied to Hudson Taylor for mission work in the China Inland Mission (Now Overseas Missionary Fellowship). Schofield?'s prayer was answered as seven Cambridge students volunteered to leave behind cosy lives of wealth and privilege to serve God in whatever way they were led. These seven inspired thousands of others to think seriously of missionary service. Included among them was C.T. Studd, captain of England and the finest cricketer of his day if he could give all that up, then so could anyone The story of these seven are an inspiration that God can take people and use them in incredible ways if they are willing to serve. As Pollock says in his book Theirs is the story of ordinary men and thus may be repeated . Will it be repeated in your life?

Genres: Biography, History, Christian, Nonfiction, Church History, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

The late John Pollock, an award-winning biographer, had a flair for telling a dramatic story. He used this talent to write many biographies including ones on D. L. Moody and Major General Sir Henry Havelock.

Reviews

[Stuart Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The gospel of Christ is unchanged and His call is unchanged. The Cambridge Seven illustrate how that call may be heard. It is a call to ‘lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.’ It is a call for dedication. Above all it is a call to the consecration of the whole man, as the prelude to fruitful service.”



“What are you really living for? Are you living for the day or are you living for the life eternal? Are you going to care for the opinion of men here, or for the opinion of God?”

[Nathan Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that fulfils its purpose in challenging a life of slothful ease and showing examples of 7 young men who gave up much in order to serve Christ in China. My main criticism of this book would be that is that it perhaps glorifies the going over the work once gone. All seven chapters are about the 7 in England and Scotland prior to their departure for China, I would have liked to have seen how they continued to lay down their lives for Christ.

However, main point fulfilled, these were ordinary men, as such what they did is not beyond you or me.

[Sam Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.9) To my shame, I hadn’t heard of the Cambridge Seven until I read this book. I had only heard of C.T. Studd and then only because of my love of test cricket.

The book tells the story of how 7 aristocratic graduates including a rower and cricketer at the top of their game gave up career to pursue God’s will for them: Mission in China.

Particularly emphasised is their complete giving over of their whole lives to God and their own sense that they weren’t giving up anything but that sharing with others about Jesus is what they were made for and what gave them most joy.

It’s especially heartbreaking when you read the reactions of family and mothers when the young men decide to go to China, simultaneously pleased and devastated, when the journey to China could be a death sentence and there was no quick plane back.

Also what came across so strongly here is the power of prayer, by which I really mean the power of God.

[Doug Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible and motivating story of a movement of God in the unlikely hearts of students, igniting a revival of missions toward the then far reaches of the earth.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are spiritual millionaires.

[Hulda Gilca]

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

[Mary_Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read! Not because the quality of writing is exemplary or there was a poetic eloquence to his craftsmanship but because of the lives of the men which this book chronicles.

This is a story about some intelligent men in a college who banded together to pray together and serve together and live life together. They sharpened each other and pushed each other towards new heights for Christ. When they graduated, they left their "elite" positions in society to become missionaries to China. These men are known as the Cambridge Seven. They became great and amazing people because they did it together. Their story totally inspires me. Something totally amazing happens when a group of people with one heart and one passion get on their knees together and live for Jesus.

I was also really inspired by the men and women who prayed for these Seven at a distance. It was as a result of their prayers that brought these "pagans" to their knees to devote themselves entirely to Jesus. And what a ruckus the Cambridge Seven caused upon the sleeping Christians in England -- and even America. It's so amazing how God uses ordinary people to cause ripple effects. The prayer warriors and the Seven.

Because of them Hudson Taylor awakened to the purpose of "concentration on a deepening of spiritual life so that consecration to service inevitably would follow." It's true. "God does not deal with you until you are wholly given up to Him, and then He will tell you what He would have you do."

If you want to know God's will for you life, give yourself completely to Him to be at His disposal. Read this book for inspiration.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revision of an old book… well done. This is the captivating story of 7 upper class young men in 1880’s England. With all the of privileges of wealth, education, ancestry, they were enjoying college life to the full and giving God a nod on Sundays. Then, they really met the Lord and radically gave Him their whole lives. All 7 were called to Hudson Taylor’s China Inland Mission and served the Lord in missions there and elsewhere for the rest of their lives. The story is well-told and inspiring, but ends with the 7 setting sail for China. The epilogue gives a brief overview of each of their lives after leaving England, but I would like to have learned so much more.

[James Harmeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pollock is a solid biographer/historian who writes with concision and focuses on matters of interest. This short volume reveals much about the work of God in the late 19th century on these gifted young men who all made the radical decision to leave comfortable England and move to China to join Hudson Taylor in evangelizing lost souls.

[Bill Forgeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

These young guys were completely, wholeheartedly committed to Jesus. Makes me reflect on my comfortable suburban lifestyle. I'm going to read some more about Hudson Taylor and CT Studd...

[Johnny Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!! Loved the detail about each ones call.

[Andy Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consecration; a word to remember.

[Tinomutenda Mpunganyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had initially underestimated the depth of this book, expecting a straightforward historical account of missionaries and their endeavours. However, as I delved into the pages, I discovered a profound narrative about the transformative power of the Spirit of God in the lives of these men. Their hearts were turned not only towards Him but also towards the noble cause of the Great Commission.

Throughout my reading, I found myself moved to tears and experiencing an overwhelming sense of awe at the remarkable ways God worked in the lives of these zealous and somewhat eccentric individuals. It prompted me to earnestly pray that, in our current age, a new generation of men and women would be similarly touched and inspired to venture into the world's farthest corners, sharing the gospel and leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ.

The book vividly portrays the zeal and eccentricities of these individuals, reminding me of the call for each of us to fulfil the Great Commission, irrespective of our roles or spheres of influence. Just as these men were prominent figures in their respective fields, the message resonates with the idea of preaching God's word in the marketplace.

Recollections of a recent revival, possibly in Aberdeen, flooded my mind as I read, fueling my desire for the embers of such revivals to continue burning worldwide. I fervently hope that the Gospel reaches the remotest corners of the earth, just as it did during that significant revival.

This book serves as a compelling call to Christians and non-believers alike, urging them to explore the essence of God for themselves, inviting the Master to work through them and inspiring a renewed commitment to spreading the message of Christ.

[Peter Howrth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came to this book partially because of our recent relocation to Cambridge, partially because I’m teaching Chinese History this year, and partially because it’s cricket season and CT Studd is a legend. This book is very much of its time, and I would hope that issues of class would be tackled differently if written today. It also grated on me because I really wanted Pollock to be a more critical narrator. There was lots in some of their thinking which needed to be called out. One of the Seven didn’t go to China for three years because he applied Ezekiel 3 directly to him, and only happened to change his mind because he stumbled across a verse in Isaiah. I wish Pollock called out some of their bible handling and how it affected their lives. One of the Seven (who interestingly fell into universalism later in life) was also worryingly keen on second baptism of the Spirit as consecration and a proponent of the Keswick Movement. Again, Pollock doesn’t call this out.
Having said this, it’s a heartwarming rousing story of seven men who truly knew that they were dead in Christ, and knew that the love of the Christ controlled them, and so were bold in bringing the nations to the Lord. I enjoyed it!

[Leah Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short little book has been on my to-read list for quite a while, and I'm glad I finally had opportunity to read it.

The writing style is a bit old-fashioned (not my favorite), but the content is good and the story inspiring and well as challenging. I found it especially intriguing and encouraging to notice parallels to my own life in the journaled thoughts and struggles of the Oxford seven. The obstacles, internal and external, to following God's call on one's life really have not changed much from one generation to the next and it's good to have examples that have walked them ahead of you.

The entire book ocures before the men begin their missionary careers. This is the story of God calling and equipping and a small band of young men responding in a way that impacted their country and generation in a spectacular way.

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the style of Pollock is somewhat pompous in places (published 1955), nothing disguises the passion, purpose and focus of the seven men who sacrificed so much to join Hudson Taylor and the CIM (China Inland Mission) in 1885.

Stanley Smith (Cambridge boating team); Montagu Beauchamp (Baronet's son); DE Hoste (subaltern and son of a major-general); WW Cassells (C of E parson); brothers Cecil & Andrew Polhill-Turner; and CT Studd (acknowledged to be the best all round cricketer of his day). Setting aside titles, wealth and prospects each of them had such a powerful encounter with Christ that they refocused their lives to see that same salvation brought to people in a far distant land.

I found the account a refreshing reminder that there are still things worth pursuing which are beyond the visible. It's a challenging book and I liked it the more for that.

[Timothy Denning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book traces the lives of the Cambridge Seven. Their conversions are spoken of and the calling to the mission field. From the last chapter, the gospel of Christ is unchanged, and his calling unchanged. Cambridge Seven illustrates how that call may be heard. It is a call to lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest. It is a call to dedication. Above all, it is a call to consecration of the whole man, as tge prelude to fruitful service.

The message of the Cambridge seven echoes down the years from 1855. God does not deal with you until you are wholly given up to him and then he will tell you what he would have you to do.

[Gwendolyn Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was factual and well-researched. There were only two aspects that threw me off: the first was that so many of the people in the book are referred to by their initials and names interchangeably. That, and my unfamiliarity with the names and places of Cambridge life made the narrative difficult to follow at times. It almost seemed the author took for granted that the reader would know all about the Cambridge Seven before picking up his book.

That having been said, it was an encouraging account, soundly researched and worth a read.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to hear how God worked in and used these men to stir hearts in Great Britain and China. A reminder of the impact of D.L. Moody and Ira Sankey in England. Praise God for the work of His Spirit to transform lives. I was especially challenged to spend more time in prayer and be less attached to this world in my own life. I only wish he could have been able to spend more time on what happened to these men once they went to China.

[James Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cambridge Seven was a wonderfully encouraging read.
Certainly it was a different time in the late 1800's, but their missionary zeal, heart for the gospel, and dependence upon God are a challenge for any Christian today.
Without needing to call all Christians overseas, this book challenges the easy and slothful life of Christians in any era, calling them to a dependence on God as the one who works, God as the one who calls, and Christianity can and should look radical.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiration recounting of the impact that seven collegians made when they committed to join Hudson Taylor in China to advance the cause of Christ. Pollock writes with his usual captivating prose and focuses exclusively on the way in which CT Studd and his colleagues ignited a generational response to the mission field resulting, in part, to the formation of the Student Volunteer Movement, Inter-Varsity and an influx of young, highly dedicated missionaries in the early 20th century.

[Dan Pan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject matter of the book is very interesting (i.e., seven young English lads with wealth, status, prestige, and athletic abilities, choosing to give up their prospective lives to serve as missionaries in China), but the writing of their stories in this book was not engaging.

I don’t know if it’s because the author is British, but the style seemed so dry and sentences seemed to run on and on and on and on.

[Susanna Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice introduction to the Cambridge Seven, and encouraging to see how God worked in individual's lives but also as a cohesive whole, bringing people together in His overarching plan. Some of the Seven were spoken of more than others, but this may be because we have more historical information on them.

[Dwight A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story of commitment to the Gospel

This should be required reading for everyone desiring to make disciples cross-culturally, typically called “missionaries.” In fact, every follower of Jesus Christ should read this moving account of 7 young men, totally committed to share the Gospel no matter the place or personal cost. I highly recommend it,

[Jeremy Utley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story. The writing style was a little confusing though. Felt it assumed too much prior knowledge of the characters, and as such, bounced back and forth between them a little too distractingly.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

The author starts slow, but he finds his stride in the final few chapters. If you are interested in missions and missionaries, you'll be glad you read this.

[Rohan Yesudian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow book. Not enough emphasis on the mission work in China. Also didn’t say WHY people were converted just kind of said they went to gospel meeting and suddenly turned to Christ

[Tim Littleford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great piece of missionary history.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather quick read about the pre-field experience of seven men who responded to the call to missions.

[Zach Coryell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great description of what it means to give one’s life fully to Christ