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1. Often, the stories regarding Bill W. begin with the escalation of his
drinking problem. Then they turn abruptly to the dramatic story of Ebby
Thachers visit to Bill and what Bill did after that. But there is a major
hole in the story. It doesnt even hint at what we now know happened
with Bill and Jesus Christ shortly before Bill got sober at Towns Hospital.
2. And the impact of Bills story can only be small, only very limited,
unless and until the reader also learns and understands how Gods role in
recovery fit into the Christian background that so heavily influenced Bill and
our Society.
3. Thats the rest of the story. That is what will be told here.
4. The story really begins with Rowland Hazard. Hes the American
businessman of whom Bill wrote (Big Book, p. 26). He it was who began the
powerful rescue operations helping drunks that became the A.A. of today.
length, Dr. Jung told Rowland that he could not help him. Rowland, he said,
had the mind of a chronic alcoholic, (Big Book, p. 27). He did suggest,
time, in responding to Bill, Dr. Jung used the Latin word spiritus and
b) Rowland then associated himself with the Oxford Group. But what
has little, if ever, been noticed or discussed is the fact that Rowland Hazard
also made a decision for Jesus Christ. (A.A. Spiritual History Workshop, Jay
1932 New York. Rowland returns and joins the Calvary Church, studies
[with] Rev. Sam Shoemaker, and gives his life to Christ. His obsession to
drink is removed.
fact, Rowlands mentor Rev. Sam Shoemaker frequently led people to Jesus
Square, Sam in full religious vestment led the group which carried the sign
Jesus Christ changes lives. (New Light on Alcoholism, p. 471.) Even in the
Midwest, it was Shoemaker who, in 1933, led the alcoholic Russell Firestone to
miraculous relief from alcoholism for a time (The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics
Anonymous, pp. 33-34.). An event which marked the beginning of the whole
Akron chain of events that led to the founding of A.A. in Akron in 1935.
(The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, pp. 27-36.)
Nickie Shoemaker Haggart. (New Light on Alcoholism, pp. 537, 539, 558-59.)
and was relieved of his alcoholismjust as Dr. Jung said might happen.
5. Rowland and two Oxford Group friends (Cebra Graves and Shep
a) Ebby said: They told me that they had run into the Oxford Group
and had gotten some pretty sensible things out of it based on the life of
Christ, Biblical times. . . I was much impressed because it was what I had been
taught as a child and what I inwardly believed but had laid aside. . . .
c) Next, the Oxford Group men lodged Ebby in Calvary Mission run
by Shoemakers church. And there Ebby made his decision for Jesus Christ
Story. Every line was numbered. The numbers ran from 1 to 1180. . . .
In that manuscript, Bill began by describing Ebbys first visit and Bills
impression of him: The man was transformed; there was no denying he had
Mission, one made his decision for Jesus Christ (My First 40 Years, 136-37).
And Mrs. Samuel Shoemaker herself related to me [Dick B.] on the telephone
that she was present and witnessed Bills own decision for Jesus Christ there.
of Jesus Christ (Silkworth: The Little Doctor Who Loved Drunks, pp. 49-52 ):
. . . it was Dr. Silkworth who used the term The Great Physician to explain
the need in recovery for a relationship with Jesus Christ. . . . In the formation
of AA, Wilson initially insisted on references to God and Jesus, as well as the
Great Physician.
b) Bill was not the only one to whom Silkworth (the devout Christian) had
Christ. See the lengthy and explicit account in Dr. Norman Vincent Peales
Wilsons third visit to Towns Hospital, Silkworth had told Wilson he might
simply be hopeless, that Bill had a serious sickness, and that Bill might be a
lost cause. (Silkworth 45-46). Bill was, said Silkworth, showing some signs
of brain damage, and that he might have to confine him, lock him up
another year, possibly. This was my sentence, said Bill. (My First 40 Years,
116-17.)
a) However, Silkworth also told Bill that Jesus Christ, (The Great
terrible disease that I just want to keep talking about it and telling people.
9. After Bill had heard from Silkworth that he could be cured by the
Great Physician, it was Ebby himself who proved the point to Bill. For then,
Ebby visited Bill fresh-skinned and glowing, and sober. Bill quizzed him as
to what had happened. Bill quoted himself as follows: Come, whats this all
Ive got religion. (Big Book, p. 9) [This was an Oxford Group expression
a) Ebby told Bill the details about Rowland Hazard, the Oxford Group
men, their comments, and their emphasis on God and prayer. (Mel B., Ebby,
b) And Ebby told Bill that God had done for him what he could not do for
himselfa phrase that became embedded in Bills own Big Book language,
c) Bill could not get Ebbys rebirth and healing out of his mind (My First
40 Years, 134-35).
d) But then Bill decided that what had happened to Ebby at Calvary
Mission could possibly help him (My First 40 Years, 136). And off
Our third focus clip will be on The Conversion of Bill W. and Bills