Do you remember the amazing story of Arthur Stace – Mr. Eternity?
Arthur was an Australian soldier. He was an alcoholic from his teenage years until the early 1930s, when he converted to Christ and began to spread his message by inscribing the word "Eternity” in copperplate writing with yellow chalk on footpaths and doorsteps in and around Sydney from 1932 until his death in 1967.
Reverend John Ridley's words, "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?" proved crucial in Stace's decision to tell others about his faith.
You can find out about Arthur at: https://www.biblesociety.org.au/mr-eternity/
A new ETERNITY film has been produced to celebrate the 90 year anniversary of Arthur Stace writing Eternity on 14 November, 1932.
You may wish to view the film with your family. Details are below: The 70-minute documentary is the next chapter of the Eternity story, showing how the iconic one-word sermon has been used and adapted since it famously appeared on the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the 1999/2000 Millennium Celebrations, and in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. The film features interviews with media personalities, authors, artists and creatives directors including Eddie McGuire, Ignatius Jones, Ric Birch, Roy Williams, Sulari Gentill and others. It also includes special comments from Ruth Ridley, the daughter of the 'Eternity preacher', Rev John Ridley, and Elizabeth Meyers, the daughter of Rev Lisle Thompson - the person who discovered Arthur Stace as Mr Eternity. The National Film and Sound Archive, Channel 9, the Baptist Archives and HammondCare all provide archival footage, images and articles used in the film. Find out more about the film: Written in Chalk: the echo of Arthur Stace. Find out more about the FREE OPEN-AIR 90-Year Anniversary Screenings here.
IF YOU WANT TO VIEW THE FILM YOU CAN:
Go the website
Click on the “Host a Screening” tab. (Hosting a screening can be for a local home school group or church group or for your own family’s educational purposes as a history lesson.)
Fill in the form and the “Written in Chalk” people will send a link to you.
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