Cambridge Seven

The seven were:[1][2] During the Victorian era (1837–1901) a growing number of students at the University of Cambridge became interested in serving overseas as missionaries, clergyman, educators, physicians, and linguists.

In 1881 the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide (then named the Henry Martyn Hall) was formed to help members of the university learn about overseas missionary service.

[3] When the British missionary Hudson Taylor came to Cambridge in 1885, seven students of the university volunteered to serve with the China Inland Mission.

Their influence extended to America where it led to the formation of Robert Wilder's Student Volunteer Movement.

[4] The conversion and example of the seven was one of the grand gestures of 19th-century missions, making them religious celebrities; as a result, their story was published as "The Evangelisation of the World" and was distributed to every YMCA and YWCA throughout the British Empire and the United States.

Portraits of the Cambridge Seven: 1. Charles Thomas Studd, 2. Dixon Edward Hoste, 3. William Wharton Cassels, 4. Stanley P. Smith, 5. Cecil H. Polhill-Turner, 6. Arthur T. Polhill-Turner, 7. Montagu Proctor-Beauchamp.
The Cambridge Seven in Qing-dynasty mandarin clothing – 1885