The design on this sweatshirt is inspired by a poem written by C. T. Studd, a British missionary born on December 2, 1860, in Spratton, England, into a family of wealth and privilege. After graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1883, Studd joined Hudson Taylor's mission in China in 1885, marking the beginning of a life dedicated to global evangelism.
C. T. Studd devoted himself to spreading the gospel in China, India, and Africa, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of missions. In 1913, he founded the World Evangelisation Crusade (now WEC International), an organization that continues its work today. He married Priscilla Livingstone Stewart in 1888, and together they had four daughters and two sons. After Priscilla's death in 1929, C. T. Studd continued his mission work until his own passing on July 16, 1931, in Ibambi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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 days 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.