All across the nation, and even the world, there are encouraging expressions of an A.A. and a recovery approach that was all but lost for perhaps 50 years. New evidence such as rosters kept by early AAs, the contents of Anne Smith's Journal, the last major talks of Dr. Bob and Bill, the revelations in the biographies of Dr. Silkworth, Lois Wilson, and Bill Wilson himself, and the mountain of materials now being placed in the Griffith Library at the Wilson House in East Dorset, Vermont, and in the Dr. Bob Core Library at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont. And here are the comments I take joy in presenting:
I sure welcome the broader picture of Alcoholics Anonymous, its diverse roots, the importance of the Bible, the significance of Shoemaker, and the basic biblical ideas that poured into the early A.A Christian Fellowship program of 1935–ideas from the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13; ideas that were developed in the Bible study meetings and old fashioned prayer meetings in Akron; ideas that came from such Christian devotionals as The Runner’s Bible, The Upper Room, My Utmost for His Highest, The Christ of the Mount, Abandundant Living, and Daily Strength for Daily Needs. Most important too was the journal that Anne Smith kept from 1933-1939 and used to share with early AAs and their families at the Quiet Time sessions at the Smith Home where prayer opened the meeting, the Bible was read, group prayer was involvled, seeking God’s guidance was involved, and discussion of Anne’s journal and/or Christian literature was commonplace. This was the A.A. that achieved the early, documented and astonishing 75% success rate among the seemingly hopeless, medically incurable, “last gasp” real alcoholics who went to any lengths to establish a relationship with God and be delivered from what many called the curse of alcoholism. In our new International Christian Recovery Coalition (www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com), many in this informal group are participating in world-wide efforts to let people know that the help of God is still available to those in recovery who want it and seek it diligently Heb. 11:6
God Bless, Dick B. dickb@dickb.com
Writer, Historian, Retired attorney, CDAAC, active, recovered member of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Author of 38 published titles on the history and successes of early A.A.
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