Arthur Stace

Arthur Stace (1884 – 1967) Mr Eternity
For thirty-seven years, Arthur Stace wandered the streets of Sydney before dawn chalking an anonymous one-word sermon on the pavement. The word was ‘Eternity’ and he wrote it more than half a million times. It intrigued Sydneysiders who pondered its meaning whilst trying to identify its mysterious author.

For thirty-seven years, Arthur Stace wandered the streets of Sydney before dawn chalking an anonymous one-word sermon on the pavement. The word was ‘Eternity’ and he wrote it more than half a million times. It intrigued Sydneysiders who pondered its meaning whilst trying to identify its mysterious author.

Arthur Stace was born in a Balmain slum in 1884 to a family of alcoholics. Stace learned to fend for himself at an early age, sleeping on bags under the house to avoid his drunken parents, stealing food and assisting his sisters who ran brothels. By his 20s he was in and out of prison for housebreaking and other offences and had developed a heavy drinking habit. Left half-blind after a gas attack in WW1, he slipped further into poverty and such extreme alcoholism that he was in danger of becoming a permanent inmate of the mental asylum. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t give up the drink.

In 1930, hungry, hopeless and desperate, he stumbled into St Barnabas’ Church on Broadway where he had heard there was free food available to those who listened to the preaching. Struck by the Christians he met there, Stace got down on his knees and prayed. (on the night of August 6th, 1930 – see text below). He gave up the drink and began to work.

Some months later, (probably a few years later on Sunday night November 14th 1942 – see text below) in a church in Darlinghurst, he heard the preacher shout, “I wish I could shout eternity through the streets of Sydney. Eternity, eternity, eternity.” Stace was powerfully struck by the words and said he felt a great call from the Lord to write the word Eternity. He had a piece of chalk in his pocket so he bent down and wrote it on the pavement. “The funny thing is I could hardly spell my own name. I had no schooling and couldn’t have spelt ‘Eternity” for a hundred quid. But it came out smoothly in beautiful copperplate script. I couldn’t understand it. I still can’t.”

Arthur Stace lived with his wife in Pyrmont. His daily routine was to wake up at 4:00am, pray for an hour then head to whichever suburb he thought God was directing him to, writing ‘Eternity’ every hundred yards or so. The message could be seen on walls and footpaths, prompting people to consider eternity itself. The police very nearly arrested him 24 times for defacing the pavement. “But I had permission from a higher source,” said Stace.

Stace regarded his unique style of evangelism as a serious mission given him by God. Throughout years of speculation in Sydney, he kept his identity quiet. However, he was finally identified by a churchman in 1956. Stace gave his first interview to the Sunday Telegraph in 1956.

Writing Eternity wasn’t all Arthur Stace did to help men and women come to know Jesus. On Saturday nights he led gospel meetings, with Open Air Campaigners, at the corner of Bathurst and George Streets – just across from the Cathedral. At first he did it from the gutter but in later years he had a van with electric lighting and an amplifier. Stace eventually became a member of St. Barnabas’ Broadway, where he had first heard the gospel in 1930.

Arthur Stace died at the age of 83 in 1967. Ten years later, a plaque was dedicated to him in Sydney. The message ‘Eternity’ was spread to billions of people during the millennium festivals of 2000 as the word was written in fireworks above the Harbour Bridge.
_______________

Long before the giant single word Eternity was sparkled with splendor, as it was emblazoned across on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it was first written by the hand of one man. This one-word sermon was written over 500.000 times on the footpaths of its suburbs & beyond, in beautiful copperplate style. Wherever this word appeared it mystified some and fascinated others. The mystery was,” who wrote it?”

When the mystery man was finally discovered the Sydney press nicknamed him Mr. Eternity but his real name was Arthur Stace.

Where did Arthur Stace come from? How was he raised? What was so special about him? And why did God use him?

As we trace the life and pay tribute to the legacy of Mr. Eternity, let’s take his surname, STACE and tell his story of sin, salvation, surrender and sweet victory in the light of his dynamic relationship with Christ the Lord of Eternity.

SINFUL PAST – his condition before Christ.

Arthur Malcolm STACE was born in Sydney’s Balmain slums in 1884. His parents were addicted to alcohol and consequently young Arthur was brought up neglected and needy in an atmosphere of poverty. As a result much of his childhood was spent stealing bread & milk, and searching for scrap food out in garbage bins. His schooling almost non-existent, young Arthur had become a state ward by the age of 12.

Things got much worse as he entered the turbulent teenage years. He became a heavy drinker, and by the tender age of 15 he was sent to jail. In his adolescence he worked as “a look out” for police for those who ran illegal gambling dens. Later in his twenties, he was a scout for his sisters’ brothels in the seedy inner Surry hills.

TURNING POINT- his conversion to Christ
The new birth, of turning from sin to trusting the Saviour, took place on the night of the August 6th, 1930.

The conception commenced as the Holy Spirit of God planted the seed of the word of God preached by Rev.R.D.S. Hammond the servant of God, at St Barnabas church in Broadway. The conviction continued as he heard to the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, he realized that he was a sinner before God and recognized that the saving grace is the gift of God.

His conversion was complete, shortly after, as he left the meeting in St Barnabas. He walked across the road to Victoria Park, and under an old big Morton Bay fig tree he repented of sin towards God, and received Christ Jesus, as his Lord and Saviour. He became a child of God. And immediately experienced peace with God, as he entered into a relationship with God.

ANOINTED MESSAGE -his conviction by Christ
A few years later on a Sunday night of November 14th 1942, at the Burton St Baptist Tabernacle, Darlinghurst, the Holy Spirit who had previously convicted the soul of Arthur Stace of his sin condition had another important message for him.

The message came through God’s anointed servant, the late John G Ridley M.C. as he preached that evening on “The echoes of eternity from Isaiah chapter 57 vs. 15:” “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

The veteran evangelist stood with the power of scripture in his hand and the love of Christ in his heart, and stressed the word Eternity. He pointed out how the echoes of Eternity are heard not only in creation and in the Christian, but also in the cross. Then suddenly, laying his prepared notes aside and seemingly in an impromptu fashion, the highly disciplined soldier-like preacher, raised his loud voice and cried: “Eternity Eternity, I wish that I could sound or shout that word to everyone in the streets of Sydney. You’ve got to meet it, where will you spend Eternity”

CALL TO WRITE — his consecration for Christ.
Arthur Stace was one of many in the large congregation that God-ordained night. This faithful, teachable and obedient servant has been obedient and active since his conversion from an old life in crime and sin to the new life in Christ and service.

As he sat taking in the eternal word of God, preached forthrightly, from the heart and lips of Australia’s beloved evangelist, Arthur Stace was yet again, confronted with sin and it’s eternal punishing consequences. His concern, however, was not for himself because his sins had been forgiven since that blessed night, where he cried ” Lord be merciful to me a sinner”. But it was for the sake of those still without Christ. Once more his sensitive heart responded to God, this time “here am I Lord send me”.

” Eternity went ringing through my brain” was Stace’s own statement” and suddenly I begun crying & felt a powerful call from the Lord to write Eternity. I had a piece of chalk in my pocket and outside the church I bent down right there and wrote it…. The funny thing is that before I wrote it I could hardly write my own name. I had no schooling and I couldn’t have spelt Eternity for a hundred quid. But it came out smoothly, in a beautiful copperplate script. I couldn’t understand it, and I still can’t.”

ETERNITY- your choice to receive Christ?
God has personally written to you to prepare you for Eternity. This most important message must be read and received by all from his creation in Adam to his children in Christ.

What the Eternal Almighty God did to, in and through Arthur Stace, He is willing to do for you, but first you must answer one question. “Where will you spend Eternity?” Your decision here and now on earth will determine your destiny there and then in Eternity. If you refuse and reject The Lord Jesus Christ you are choosing to spend Eternity in hell, If you receive HIM you will spend Eternity in heaven and rejoice evermore.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Jesus said…., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Let me encourage you to bow your heart before your Maker and creator right now, and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Saviour and become his child for time and eternity. It only requires 3 simple yet heart believed expressions
(This is a suggested prayer)
Dear God:
I am sorry that I have sinned against you and I turn away from my sins.
Please forgive me and be merciful to me a sinner.
Thank you for saving me and giving me a new life.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

With the love of Christ
Peter Rahme, January A.D.2000

Source : http://www.innerwestbaptist.org.au/mr%20eternity/englishr.htm
_____________

The 90th anniversary of Mr Eternity

A new ETERNITY film has been produced to celebrate the 90 year anniversary of Arthur Stace writing Eternity on 14 November, 1932.

https://mailchi.mp/235187a02758/did-you-know-education-december-12374969

___________

The Story of Mr Eternity
Known by all and seen by none, Arthur Stace inscribed “Eternity” on the streets of Sydney and elsewhere for 30 years before he was unmasked. Inspiring to artists, singers, and ordinary sinners, Arthur turned his life around from addiction and dereliction when he became a Christian, and he did the same for others. In the first full length biography, Mr Eternity: the Story of Arthur Stace, Roy Williams (with Elizabeth Myers), describes surprising details of this Evangelical saint, and Rachael and Roy go on a pilgrimage of Arthur’s life.
*http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/the-story-of-mr-eternity/9207070
*http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-roy-williams/9178004
*http://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pe7Ld5pP2D
*http://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/breakfast/eternity-arthur-stace-final/9195992
*http://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/netw/200901/programs/DO0618H001D18012009T214500.htm
*http://acl.asn.au/resources/eternity/
*https://www.adefenceofthebible.com/2017/10/15/mr-eternity/
______________
“Mr Eternity” song written and performed by Jim Low on guitar, harmonies by Theresa West, acoustic bass by Ian Jenkins. http://jimlow.net/lyrics-eternity.htm

When I was a child walking down the street
I’d see this strange word written, written at my feet
Eternity was what it read, I asked my Dad just what it said
And it meant forever, and ever and ever
Always, always

Chorus:
And Mr Eternity
The man whom we never see
In the early light of day
With his chalk he’d write away
Eternity, Eternity

What to a young child could this strange word mean
A day, a week, a year, to some it might have seemed
Another year to Christmas seemed eternity
And a week to Saturday’s pictures was like forever to me

The city streets he wrote on no longer seemed the same
When Mr Eternity left this life Eternity to claim
And when the word in yellow chalk faded from my view
I knew a part of childhood had disappeared too
And it went forever, and ever and ever
Always, always

Exclusive: Legendary Sydney figure ‘Mr Eternity’ brought back to life
https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-film-festival-mr-eternity-arthur-stace-film/7abef3eb-11c2-4d44-bcbf-15d2e30aee8c

The story of Arthur Stace – Mr Eternity
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/in-depth/the-true-story-of-mr-eternity/

Colin Buchanan sings about Mr Eternity
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2022/11/18/colin-buchanan/
____________

Listen again to the story of Arthur Stace. He wrote the word “Eternity” on the footpaths of Sydney for 35 years and became known as Mr Eternity. He was a Sydney icon. Here his story, presented by ug. He changed from a drunkard to a man with purpose. Broadcast on Southern FM program Songs of Hope on 28 September 2014.

https://worldshapers883fm.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/who-is-mr-eternity-of-sydney/

Play time is 7 minutes.

__________

Mr Eternity: The story of Arthur Stace (Acorn Press, 2017)
https://www.harpercollins.com.au/search-results/?contributor=roy-williams

Roy Williams
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2021/09/19/roy-williams/

__________

Wikipedia Eternity

WordPress Eternity

________
Links:
Eternity at the Olympics – http://www.wesleymission.org.au/publications/eternity/eternity.htm

John G. Ridley, an evangelist who is known today as the man behind Mr Eternity (Arthur Stace) Refer https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/john-g-ridley/ and http://www.johngridley.org.au/

The man behind the Sydney Harbour bridge: John Bradfield
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2010/10/22/john-bradfield/

More Sydney evangelists :
Frank Jenner
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2020/11/29/frank-jenner

Open Air Campaigners
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2017/12/18/open-air-campaigners/

Eternity above Sydney Harbour in 2020

20 years after Eternity was shared with the world at the Sydney Millennium Fireworks and in the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the one-word sermon appeared above the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Friday 5 June.

http://mnnews.today/church/2020/51374-eternity-above-sydney-harbour/

Eternity Film 1

See also :  Eternity Film 2020  https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/eternity-film

Eternity Film 2

Two lives and a city intertwined for eternity
At the age of 15, Arthur Stace was arrested and jailed for being drunk. Thirty years later, in August 1930, as the Depression descended onto Sydney’s poor he walked into St Barnabas Anglican Church, Broadway, and heard the evangelist and temperance crusader Canon Robert Hammond. Stace gave up the grog that night. He also converted.”I went in to get a cup of tea and a rock cake but I met the Rock of Ages,” he was to recall. Two years later, in 1932, both men presented gifts to their home town that are still there today. Stace’s copper plate rendition of the word ”eternity” appeared on city footpaths. Hammond initiated a home ownership scheme for unemployed men and their families in an area that became the suburb of Hammondville, near Liverpool.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/two-lives-and-a-city-intertwined-for-eternity-20130315-2g5v7.html

Further information on Arthur Stace:
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stace-arthur-malcolm-8615
and
http://www.smh.com.au/national/from-the-battlefield-to-saving-souls-20091110-i7lx.html
and
http://infobluemountains.net.au/eternity/

Written in chalk
Eternity will once again take centre stage in Sydney on 11 and 12 November 2022 at a free open-air screening of the new Eternity film; Written in Chalk: the echo of Arthur Stace.

The 70-minute documentary is the next chapter of the ‘Eternity’ story, showing how the iconic word and artwork has been used and adapted since it famously appeared on the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the 1999/2000 Millennium Fireworks, and in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2022/11/04/written-in-chalk/

Making your life count for Eternity – http://www.acl.asn.au/eternity.html
and
Robert Hammond (1870 – 1946) Anglican clergyman, social reformer https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2011/04/08/robert-hammond/

Sydney Morning Herald – One Word Sermon We Can’t Forget – http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/01/18/1105810905250.html

Eternity at The National Museum of Australia
http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/now_showing/eternity/

Eternity house, ACL headquarters Canberra: https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/lyle-shelton-still-believes-december-explosion-was-a-targeted-attack/

White powder addressed to Australian Christian Lobby: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/white-powder-addressed-to-australian-christian-lobby/news-story/cab9d1166f728bd66d73df60503f09f6

The Eternity News: https://atributetoaustralianchristians.wordpress.com/2020/11/04/eternity-news/      https://www.eternitynews.com.au/

See also
Martyn Iles, Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby

____________
Leave a Reply, comments are welcome.