book review WITH ADELE NASH

Mr Eternity: THE STORY OF ARTHUR STACE by roy williams with elizabeth meyers

ast your mind back to New In —and broadcast CYear’s Eve of 1999/2000. What around Australia and the world— were you doing that night? How the freworks spectacular at mid- did you celebrate? What were your night was just that: spectacular! It resolutions? It seems so long ago— lasted more than 20 minutes. And some might say an eternity. as New Year’s colours rained down The new millennium was fast on the city, one word blazed out on approaching. People were wor- the . ried about the Y2K bug (which Eternity. turned out to be nothing to worry A simple word in copperplate about after all). People were prob- script, but an enormous concept; ably also thinking about what the something really worth thinking new year had in store for them, about. It was something that was along with what a new millennium truly iconic for many Sydney- might bring. With thoughts of the siders too. future, they rang in the new year It had become a word ingrained

at midnight. in Sydney culture for 35 years MARCELSTRELOW, MBBIRDY—GETTYIMAGES

56 | SIGNS OF THE TIMES MARCELSTRELOW, MBBIRDY—GETTYIMAGES pastor to share his incredible story.incredible his shareto pastor church local and friend close his by written publication a to thanks was he that 1956 in “unmasked,” only was anyone,tell It you?”). will he’dwhom of (each ask, “Youwon’t secret the on in people of handful a mystery,a remainwouldonly with too). afeld further sometimes Sydneyaround(and Eternity hand-writing hours spend wouldyears, he those during day city.the every aroundAlmostpaths crayonfootor on chalk wordin himself.the writewould Stace Eternity Stace,Mr Arthur to thanks For most of that time, his identity identity time,his thatFor of most - notes at the back for each chapter), foreach back the at notes researchedmeticulously of pages and pages countingthe (not length in pages 240 than morehardly Although is! it memoir a what And Roy Meyers.Elizabeth Williamswith Stace Arthur of Story The nity: award-winningbiography, recently-releasedthe in eredand him? inspiredwhat sion? and originswere Whathis than this one hand-written dimen hand-written one this than 1960s? the Washim tomorethere Sydney- with sermon one-word this share All of this—and more—is cov more—is this—and of All What drove Arthur Stace toStace droveWhat Arthur siders from the 1930s to 1930s the from siders SIGNS OF THE TIMES Mr Eter Mr , by , - - - |

57 Mr Eternity is the first-ever Stace Sydney. Eternity! Friends, you have biography and it packs a punch. I got to meet it. Where will you spend started reading the book late one eternity?” evening, thinking I would just enjoy Instead of shouting, that word was a couple of chapters and then sleep. written—it’s estimated more than But I was hooked and found myself half a million times—on hundreds of reading chapter after chapter, finish- Sydney streets by Stace, who wanted ing the book the same night. It really to encourage residents to think more is that good. about life’s big picture and their Mr Eternity shares the miraculous relationship with God. In 1964, he true story of how Stace was born told Sydney radio station 2GB that into a rough family situation in he did it “to help others, because I remarkable poverty. He spent years believe that they’re in this world for as a hopeless alcoholic before trans- two things—as help or as hindrance. formation came into his life and he I know by helping other people to was given hope for eternity. Read- know that there’s an eternity to face, ing the early chapters in the book to be ready for it, is a lovely thing to made me wonder how he was ever know.” able to turn his life around and Chalking words around the city become someone who helped oth- wasn’t the only way Stace shared ers to do the same. To say the chanc- his faith. He also preached on the es of transformation were small is streets, shared his story, helped at being generous. the churches he was involved with To say too much more would and was one to put faith into action give away too much of the story, by helping those less fortunate. What which means you’re going to have he believed wasn’t just words. It was to read Mr Eternity for yourself to see real, it had meaning and it was alive just how dire things were. But it’s in his everyday experience. obvious that a big change did hap- But Mr Eternity is not Stace’s story pen for Stace. That change was get- alone. The stories of Baptist evange- ting to know God. list John Ridley and Anglican arch- And that change led to hearing deacon RBS Hammond round out a sermon titled “Echoes of Eternity,” the tale, their lives intertwining with which inspired him so much that it that of Stace in amazing ways that all became his mission. You see, evan- ultimately led to a mission of sharing gelist John Ridley’s stirring sermon God in their own unique ways. Each of the day featured this memorable man was very different, but they flourish: “Eternity! Eternity! I wish were all passionate about helping that I could sound, or shout, that others connect with God while also

word to everyone on the streets of helping those around them. It’s truly WIKIPEDIA

58 | SIGNS OF THE TIMES TOP RIGHT: Arthur Stace gained fame as a reformed alcoholic who converted to Christianity and spread his message by writing the word “Eternity” with chalk on footpaths in and around Sydney, from to , for about 35 years. BOTTOM RIGHT: The aluminium replica Eternity at Town Hall Square, Sydney.

encouraging to read about each of current era, them. but also There’s a richness and depth to in his own Mr Eternity that is belied by its brev- time. One ity. Thorough research has gone into persistent tracing the lives and stories con- myth has tained in the book. Drawing on the been that personal experiences of those who Stace was knew Stace—notably co-author illiterate, Elizabeth Meyers, who is the daugh- which the ter of May and Lisle Thompson, the biography pastor who wrote the publication shows is that revealed the mystery writer of simply not that one simple word—Mr Eternity true. There are others, which the includes information from previously book also explores and dismisses. unavailable sources. There are also Whatever your perceptions of illustrations and photos, and excerpts Arthur Stace—this may be the first from Stace’s communications. These time you’ve heard of him or he all provide valuable insight into a might have been part of your cultur- humble man who loved God and al fabric—Mr Eternity will paint a fas- loved helping humanity. cinating picture of a life transformed The final chapters provide some with God’s help. It’s not just a book interesting background into how the for Christians either. Anyone who revival of the theme of Eternity came enjoys history or biography will find about for Sydney in time for New the story intriguing. Year’s Eve 1999/2000 and the 2000 Published 50 years after the death Olympic Games. They also explore of Arthur Stace, Mr Eternity is a time- some of the other writings, songs, ly reminder of what’s really impor- plays and more that have been cre- tant in life, and how any life can be ated referencing Stace. changed for the better through an There have been many myths sur- encounter that offers the promise of

WIKIPEDIA rounding Mr Eternity, not just in the eternity. ½

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