Historical writings, documents, letters, events, people, places, and references through-out the history of A.A.
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Pre A.A.
The Washingtonians
Thanks to Jim B. of Canada who put together this presentation of text and articles on the Washingtonian Temperance Society. Jim originally had these articles on the website of historyofaa.com which is no longer online and placed here for historical & research purposes.
The Emmanuel Movement
Thanks to Jim B. of Canada who put together this presentation of articles. Jim originally had these articles on the website of historyofaa.com which is no longer online and placed here for historical & research purposes.
The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous
This is a Five Part series written by Dick B., author of many books on early Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Oxford Group Connection
Do you know any of these names? Frank Buchman – Sam Shoemaker – Rowland H. – Jim N. – Eleanor F. – Ebby T. – Shepard C. – Henrietta Seiberling – Rev. Walter Tunks – Norman S. – Russell F. – T. Henry & Clarence Williams?
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What is The Oxford Group
The very last thing that the writer of this book would wish is that he should
become widely known as a prophet of the Oxford Group Movement. Even less, if that were possible, would he claim any special authority as an exponent of its principles. For both reasons I am sure that he is right in his desire that his book should be an anonymous exposition of the principles which underlie the experience of new strength and new vision through which he has been passing. It has been written, as his friends know, with a heat of conviction which makes it rather a living document than a carefully guarded treatise. It is, for those who can understand, a piece of direct and first-hand evidence for the ways of God’s working in human life. (pdf)
The Four Absolutes
of the Oxford Group used by early A.A. members. This is a Three-Part series written by Dick B., author of many books on early Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Four Absolutes
of the Oxford, Group was used by early A.A. members to check their motives by. Even though they never made it into the Big Book, Bill W. stated that he added them to the text by implication. This was done to keep A.A. separate from the Oxford Group yet maintain the same Spiritual ideals.
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In Remembrance of “Ebby”
“In his seventieth year, and on the twenty-first of March, my friend and sponsor “Ebby” passed beyond our sight and hearing.” -by Bill W.
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Rowland H., The Messenger
Rowland H. brought the message to Ebby T. who brought the message to Bill W.
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James H. and Alcoholics Anonymous
“During the past five years, I have been asked on numerous occasions to answer specific questions about James H. The three questions that come up the most are: Is James Houck a member of A.A.? Is James H. a recovering alcoholic? Is James H. a member of the Oxford Group?” -By Wally P.
The Bible (King James Version)
Did you know, before the Big Book was published, the early members of AA studied the Bible? In fact, one of the possible names for AA then was, “The James Club” after the Book of James from the Bible… (pdf)
As A Man Thinketh
by James Allen, 1902. A book that was read by members in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.
In His Steps
by Charles M. Sheldon. Written in 1896, read by members in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Greatest Thing In The World
by Henry Drummond, 1880. A book that was read by members in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Common Sense of Drinking
by Richard R. Peabody, Boston: Little Brown and Co. 1930, read by members in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous. (pdf)
The Varieties Of Religious Experience
by William James, 1902. A man ahead of his time, Bill W. once referred to him as one of A.A.’s founders. His book is also mentioned in the Big Book on page 38 of 1st edition, page 28 of 2nd, 3rd & 4th editions.
I Was a Pagan -by V. C. Kitchen
Originally published in 1934 by Harper & Brothers (pdf)
TWICE-BORN MEN -by Harold Begbie, exact publication date unknown. No Copyrights. A clinic in regeneration: a footnote in narrative to Professor William James’s “The Varieties of Religious Experience” (pdf)
When Man Listens -by Cecil Rose 1936, “The chapters of this book are an attempt to set down briefly the simple elements of Christian living. I believe that there is nothing in them which cannot be found in the New Testament. –Cecil Rose, Preface“ -or view as a pdf file.
The Confessions of Saint Augustine
by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo (345-430), Translated by Edward B. Pusey, D.D.