HIS ONE LIFE

Last week’s blog included one stanza from C.T. Studd’s poem Only One life, Twill Soon Be Past.

Because this plaque in my childhood home had such an impact on me, I wanted to share its author with you.

Born to wealthy, non-Christian parents, Charles Thomas (C.T.) Studd enjoyed a privileged childhood in Spratton, England. Well known for their cricket prowess, C.T. and his two brothers dominated the Cambridge sport in the early 1880s.

But when their father Edward became a born-again believer at a Moody Crusade, he invited a preacher into their home. Slow to accept the full gospel, C.T. would only go so far as admitting that Jesus Christ died. However, once he acknowledged that Jesus Christ died for him and accepted Him as Lord and Savior, “joy and peace came into my soul. I knew then what it was to be born again.”

C.T. entered the mission field in 1885, formed the World Evangelization Crusade (aka WEC Int.), and spent the next 46 years in service to the Lord in China, India, and Africa. C.T. lived “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NKJV)

A few of C.T.’s inspirational quotes follow:

  • Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell, I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.
  • If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.
  • The light that shines farthest, shines brightest, nearest home.
  • God’s real people have always been called fanatics.*

C.T. Studd’s powerful poem Only One life, Twill Soon Be Past is printed in its entirety below.

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

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

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

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

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;

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

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

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

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

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

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

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

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

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

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

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

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.*”
✝️

By Author eMarie

To leave a comment, please click on the title in bold above, HIS ONE LIFE, and scroll down. Thank you for subscribing and sharing this website with friends, and please come back next week for more encouragement. Thank you and God bless you!  🙂

* reasonforhopejesus.com

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Valerie Cullers
1 year ago

So love this! Thank you for sharing! I love, “I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell!”

Patti+Shene
1 year ago

This is a beautifully written poem filled with Biblical truth of how we are to live our lives. Thank you so much for sharing, Erma!

Roberta+Kautz
1 year ago

All my life I’ve heard and agreed with that quote, but I didn’t know about the author or the entire poem that he wrote. Thank you so much for sharing this information and for the inspirational reminder about what is truly important in life. Blessings to you!

Kathy+McKinsey
1 year ago

Thank you, Erma. I’ve saved it to read again.:)

Becky+Van+Vleet
1 year ago

I’ve never read this poem before–all so very true. What a wonderful testimony that a plaque in your childhood home is still impacting your life today. Thank you for sharing!

Dave
Dave
1 year ago

What a wonderful poem!

Thank you, Erma!

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