Nick H presented by Books of the Oxford Group – 2025-02-04

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Unknown Tuesday Night History Workshop • 2025

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Unknown ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

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Unknown Books of the Oxford Group speaking on "Nick H" in Tuesday Night History Workshop (February 04, 2025). This recording is preserved in high-fidelity with interactive scrolling transcripts.

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Unknown Interactive Transcript

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[00 00:03.180 – 00:00:07.719] Welcome to the Tuesday Night Recovery Speakers History Workshop.

0:19

[00 00:07.719 – 00:00:09.699] Thank you everyone for joining us tonight.

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[00 00:09.699 – 00:00:18.620] My name is Tim, and tonight we have a great presentation led by Nick H from Georgia, and Nick will be presenting on Books of the Oxford Group.

0:34

[00 00:18.620 – 00:00:24.160] And we meet every Tuesday night at the same time and at the same Zoom ID number.

0:42

[00 00:24.160 – 00:00:34.200] And, uh, this meeting is being recorded, and the audio from tonight's presentation as well as all of our past presentations can be

0:51

[00 00:34.200 – 00:00:36.740] found at recoveryspeakers.com.

0:53

[00 00:36.740 – 00:00:47.000] This meeting is not affiliated with any 12-step organization, although our goal is to focus on the history of AA and other 12-step

1:03

[00 00:47.000 – 00:00:47.700] fellowships.

1:04

[00 00:47.700 – 00:00:57.840] Recoveryspeakers.com is dedicated to preserving and making the audio history of AA and the 12-step movement available for everyone

1:12

[00 00:57.840 – 00:00:59.159] today and in the future.

1:15

[00 00:59.159 – 00:01:09.159] We share a daily email that features a different speaker talk from the Recovery Speakers audio library, and in- included in the daily

1:25

[00 01:09.159 – 00:01:17.000] emails are links to the recordings from this meeting, as well as information about our upcoming history pres- presentations.

1:33

[00 01:17.000 – 00:01:28.780] If you would like to receive our daily email, you can subscribe through the link I will be sharing in the chat in a moment, or you can send me an email at info@recoveryspeakers.com

1:48

[00 01:28.780 – 00:01:32.760] and, uh, I will get you added to our list.

1:52

[00 01:32.760 – 00:01:38.039] And Recovery Speakers is an official 501[c][3] public charity.

1:56

[00 01:38.039 – 00:01:42.379] If you are able to, we accept contributions which allow us to continue our work.

2:03

[00 01:42.379 – 00:01:52.599] And, um, you can use the QR code on the screen, or I will, uh, also send a message in the chat with, uh, a link to where you can make donations.

2:16

[00 01:52.599 – 00:02:02.500] And for tonight's presentation, um, Nick is willing to share the PDF file of his slides.

2:23

[00 02:02.500 – 00:02:12.560] So if you are interested in, uh, seeing these slides again, you can send me a message in the chat with your email address, and I will be

2:35

[00 02:12.560 – 00:02:15.580] emailing out the slides, uh, after the presentation.

2:38

[00 02:15.580 – 00:02:25.580] And tonight we should have some time for Q&A, so if you have any questions, uh, for Nick, you can write down your questions and be prepared to ask them at

2:52

[00 02:25.580 – 00:02:26.560] the end of the meeting.

2:54

[00 02:26.560 – 00:02:32.899] I'm going to close the chat right now, and I will open that back up at the end of the meeting as well.

3:04

[00 02:32.899 – 00:02:40.699] And Nick also shared his email address in the chat if anyone wants to reach out directly to Nick.

3:12

[00 02:40.699 – 00:02:45.139] And, uh, that is it for me.

3:15

[00 02:45.139 – 00:02:48.599] I am gonna go ahead and turn it right over to Nick, and we can begin.

3:22

[00 02:48.599 – 00:02:55.460] And, uh, Nick, thank you so much for putting together this presentation, and I'm looking forward to, uh, to seeing it.

3:31

[00 02:55.460 – 00:03:00.699] All right.

3:32

[00 03:00.699 – 00:03:01.340] Thanks, Tim.

3:33

[00 03:01.340 – 00:03:02.340] Good evening, everybody.

3:35

[00 03:02.340 – 00:03:03.060] You hear me okay?

3:37

[00 03:03.060 – 00:03:05.400] Yes.

3:38

[00 03:05.400 – 00:03:07.079] All right.

3:39

[00 03:07.079 – 00:03:15.069] So my name is Nick, and I'm a grateful member of Al-Anon, and have been since February of 2007.

3:47

[00 03:15.069 – 00:03:25.680] And, uh, I have a sponsor, uh, when we were working the steps together, uh, explained the history of, uh, AA to me,

3:56

[00 03:25.680 – 00:03:34.219] uh, and it really inspired me to sort of get into the history, uh, of Al-Anon, AA, uh, and the Oxford Group.

4:06

[00 03:34.219 – 00:03:39.400] So this is a presentation, uh, titled, uh, Books of the Oxford Group.

4:11

[00 03:39.400 – 00:03:45.569] And, uh, we've got some volunteers to help, uh, do some different readings.

4:17

[00 03:45.569 – 00:03:55.639] But what we're gonna try to do, uh, is go through the Oxford Group books and highlight how the principles, uh, from the Oxford Group were carried over into the Big

4:30

[00 03:55.639 – 00:03:57.460] Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

4:32

[00 03:57.460 – 00:04:06.780] And, uh, I figure we have people, uh, who may be newcomers, uh, on the meeting or people, uh, that have been around a long time and know a lot about the history.

4:46

[00 04:06.780 – 00:04:17.588] Uh, but just to make sure, uh, everyone is familiar with, uh, what the Oxford Group was, uh, here's a little introduction slide that, uh, tell you a little bit about,

4:59

[00 04:17.588 – 00:04:19.319] uh, the Oxford Group, and I'll read this.

5:02

[00 04:19.319 – 00:04:30.060] "The Oxford Group was a non-denominational Christian movement founded by American Lutheran minister Frank Buchman in 1921,

5:09

[00 04:30.060 – 00:04:33.730] originally under the name First Century Christian Fellowship.

5:13

[00 04:33.730 – 00:04:40.000] Buchman believed that fear and selfishness were the root of all problems.

5:18

[00 04:40.000 – 00:04:48.420] He also believed that the solution to living without fear and selfishness was to surrender one's life over to God's plan.

5:27

[00 04:48.420 – 00:04:58.500] Buchman had a spiritual experience at a chapel in Keswick, England, when he attended a decisive sermon by Jessie Penn-Lewis.

5:35

[00 04:58.500 – 00:05:07.069] He resigned a part-time post at Hartford Seminary in 1921 to found a movement called First Century Christian Fellowship.

5:43

[00 05:07.069 – 00:05:12.180] By 1928, the fellowship had come to be known as the Oxford Group.

5:48

[00 05:12.180 – 00:05:18.259] The Oxford Group enjoyed worldwide popularity and success in the 1930s.

5:53

[00 05:18.259 – 00:05:24.040] Buchman encouraged participants in the group to continue as members of their own respective churches.

6:00

[00 05:24.040 – 00:05:32.480] The Oxford Group literature defines the group as not being a religion, for it had no hierarchy, no temples, no endowments.

6:09

[00 05:32.480 – 00:05:37.040] Its workers had no salaries and no plans but God's plan.

6:14

[00 05:37.040 – 00:05:44.319] In fact, one could not belong to the Oxford Group, for it had no membership list, badges, or definite location.

6:22

[00 05:44.319 – 00:05:50.959] It was simply a group of people from all walks of life who have surrendered their life to God.

6:30

[00 05:50.959 – 00:05:58.439] Their endeavor was to lead a spiritual life under God's guidance, and their purpose was to carry their message so others could do the same.

6:41

[00 05:58.439 – 00:06:04.160] The group was more like a spiritual revolution unhampered by institutional ties.

6:46

[00 06:04.160 – 00:06:06.800] It combined social activities with religion.

6:49

[00 06:06.800 – 00:06:13.519] It had no organized board of officers and declared itself not to be an organization but an organism.

6:56

[00 06:13.519 – 00:06:18.589] The tenets and practices of the Oxford Group greatly influenced Alcoholics Anonymous.

7:02

[00 06:18.589 – 00:06:26.620] Ebby Thatcher's sobriety through the Oxford Group led him to carry the message to Bill Wilson, who then carried the message to Dr.

7:11

[00 06:26.620 – 00:06:31.180] Bob Smith." And that's how Alcoholics Anonymous started.

7:15

[00 06:31.180 – 00:06:41.399] And the first, uh, book that we have here is, uh, titled For Sinners Only, and this was really sort of the original book

7:25

[00 06:41.399 – 00:06:43.000] of the Oxford Group.

7:27

[00 06:43.000 – 00:06:48.040] Uh, and there were, uh, pictured here three different printings of this book.

7:33

[00 06:48.040 – 00:06:56.139] Uh, a lot of the Oxford Group books, uh, had a, uh, US and a United Kingdom or European printing.

7:41

[00 06:56.139 – 00:07:01.560] Uh, so the one on the left here, uh, is, uh, the H&S UK printing.

7:48

[00 07:01.560 – 00:07:06.389] Uh, the Harper Brothers, uh, in the middle, uh, is the US printing.

7:54

[00 07:07.302 – 00:07:11.882] And then the one on the right is a later printing that they called a cheaper edition.

8:01

[00 07:11.882 – 00:07:18.282] And For Sinners Only was written by A.J.

8:05

[00 07:18.282 – 00:07:25.922] Russell, published in 1932, and the two different publishers were Hodder & Stoughton and Harper & Brothers.

8:11

[00 07:25.922 – 00:07:30.482] And then we'll go, uh, into a slide here.

8:15

[00 07:30.482 – 00:07:40.602] It's showing you a page, uh, from For Sinners Only, uh, page, uh, number 283, and I've got a little quote here at the top,

8:25

[00 07:40.602 – 00:07:43.102] uh, you'll see in red.

8:28

[00 07:43.102 – 00:07:53.242] From Chapter 23, The Spirit Moves, it says, "A Persian lad of such low character that all regarded him as hopeless

8:36

[00 07:53.242 – 00:07:57.262] was winning other students within the first six months.

8:40

[00 07:57.262 – 00:08:00.442] Armenians and Jews as well.

8:43

[00 08:00.442 – 00:08:10.601] Ancient hatreds began to melt." So this was a person who was a member of the Oxford Group and were going out and carrying the message to others.

8:55

[00 08:10.601 – 00:08:15.942] And then I thought, how does this principle relate, uh, to what we see in the Big Book?

9:02

[00 08:15.942 – 00:08:25.981] And in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 2: There Is a Solution on page 17 there's a quote, "We

9:10

[00 08:25.981 – 00:08:28.562] are people who normally would not mix.

9:14

[00 08:28.562 – 00:08:38.642] But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding, which is indescribably wonderful." So

9:21

[00 08:38.642 – 00:08:48.722] this, uh, is a principle, uh, from the Oxford Group, uh, with different faiths, different backgrounds, uh, that was carried over, uh, into the Big

9:31

[00 08:48.722 – 00:08:53.642] Book, uh, of AA, and then, uh, one of the principles ...

9:36

[00 08:53.642 – 00:08:55.202] back today.

9:38

[00 08:55.202 – 00:09:01.142] Next book is another one by A.J.

9:41

[00 09:01.142 – 00:09:04.742] Russell, and this one is titled One Thing I Know.

9:46

[00 09:04.742 – 00:09:15.102] And, uh, again, you have the, uh, European printing w- by H&S here on the left, uh, and the one on the right, uh, is

9:57

[00 09:15.102 – 00:09:17.322] the Harper & Brothers US printing.

9:59

[00 09:17.322 – 00:09:23.842] Uh, th- this is the only original jacket for that Harper & Brothers that I've ever seen.

10:06

[00 09:23.842 – 00:09:27.662] And this one was published ...

10:08

[00 09:27.662 – 00:09:27.822] Whoop.

10:09

[00 09:27.822 – 00:09:36.762] In 1933, and again, the two different publishers, H&S and Harper & Brothers.

10:14

[00 09:36.762 – 00:09:43.702] And here's page 175 from One Thing I Know.

10:18

[00 09:43.702 – 00:09:54.002] Uh, it's Part 3, Chapter 3, and the quote here says, "Can a man be absolutely honest, loving, unselfish, pure?

10:26

[00 09:54.002 – 00:09:56.182] No, he cannot.

10:27

[00 09:56.182 – 00:10:06.222] The more he thinks of it, the more certain he becomes that these are the impossible ideal." And then how is this

10:37

[00 10:06.222 – 00:10:09.202] principle, uh, carried over into the Big Book?

10:40

[00 10:09.202 – 00:10:12.822] In Chapter 5: How It Works, I know many of you will be familiar with this one.

10:47

[00 10:12.822 – 00:10:19.842] "No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles.

10:54

[00 10:19.842 – 00:10:21.542] We are not saints.

10:56

[00 10:21.542 – 00:10:32.782] The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines." All

11:02

[00 10:32.782 – 00:10:32.982] right.

11:03

[00 10:32.982 – 00:10:43.271] Next, uh, is a book titled Discipleship by Leslie Weatherhead, and here is the, uh, on the left side, the European printing,

11:12

[00 10:43.271 – 00:10:46.602] and on the right, uh, the US printing.

11:15

[00 10:46.602 – 00:10:52.062] Uh, Leslie Weatherhead was sort of the equivalent of Sam Shoemaker.

11:20

[00 10:52.062 – 00:10:57.382] Sam Shoemaker was known to be sort of the head of the Oxford Group in the United States.

11:28

[00 10:57.382 – 00:11:03.072] Uh, Leslie Weatherhead was known to be the leader of the Oxford Group, uh, in Europe.

11:35

[00 11:03.072 – 00:11:13.082] And this book was published, uh, in 1934, and the, uh,

11:39

[00 11:13.082 – 00:11:23.162] UK printing, uh, was published by H&S, uh, and the US printing was published by the Abingdon Press, uh,

11:48

[00 11:23.162 – 00:11:24.221] out of Tennessee.

11:49

[00 11:24.221 – 00:11:34.012] And this one, uh, we have a volunteer, uh, to read, and, uh, Drew, I think you're the volunteer for this one.

11:59

[00 11:34.012 – 00:11:44.742] And then what I'd like for you to do, uh, if you could read this quote here, and then share, uh, from your own experience how you think this quote

12:11

[00 11:44.742 – 00:11:46.662] might relate to the Big Book.

12:14

[00 11:46.662 – 00:11:51.132] Thanks, Nick.

12:15

[00 11:51.132 – 00:11:53.002] Hey, everybody, I'm Drew and I am an alcoholic.

12:19

[00 11:53.002 – 00:11:56.902] And this is, uh, uh, from pages, uh, 10 and 11.

12:23

[00 11:56.902 – 00:12:06.922] It reads, "The words which form the chapter headings are words which are being very much emphasized at present by the Oxford Group

12:33

[00 12:06.922 – 00:12:10.242] Movement, to which I personally owe a great debt.

12:37

[00 12:10.242 – 00:12:15.062] Yet this book is not a book on the Oxford Group Movement.

12:42

[00 12:15.062 – 00:12:18.702] In the lectures given, no reference was made to it.

12:47

[00 12:18.702 – 00:12:28.742] I'm sure that the movement does not desire to patent, as it were, these special words which are the keynotes of any

12:56

[00 12:28.742 – 00:12:38.982] real revival of religion." And that's a, uh, that, th- that's an amazing, um, uh, like,

13:03

[00 12:38.982 – 00:12:39.922] pull from that.

13:05

[00 12:39.922 – 00:12:49.922] Um, you know, when I think about the, um, the, the, uh, w- how it pertains to the Big Book, it almost sounds as though, you know, this

13:17

[00 12:49.922 – 00:12:55.782] is, this is one of these things that, uh, it's, it's, it's really for fun and, you know, for, for, for free.

13:26

[00 12:55.782 – 00:13:04.582] You know, they, they, uh, I think Bill at, at some point pretty much never put a patent on, you know, the, the, the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

13:38

[00 13:04.582 – 00:13:09.362] He wanted everybody to experience the 12 steps and he kind of gave a green light.

13:44

[00 13:09.362 – 00:13:15.302] Um, but again, it's that, you know, the "yet this is not a book on the Oxford Group Movement.

13:53

[00 13:15.302 – 00:13:18.842] In its lectures given, no reference was made to it.

13:57

[00 13:18.842 – 00:13:28.902] I am sure that the movement does not desire to patent, as it were, these special words which are the keynotes of any revival of, of religion." I think

14:09

[00 13:28.902 – 00:13:33.102] if anything, he wants all to have this, this, uh, you know, this experience.

14:15

[00 13:33.102 – 00:13:35.602] That's, that's kind of my take on it.

14:19

[00 13:35.602 – 00:13:36.402] So thanks, man.

14:20

[00 13:36.402 – 00:13:37.182] Thank you, Nick.

14:22

[00 13:37.182 – 00:13:38.092] Yeah.

14:23

[00 13:38.092 – 00:13:38.862] Thank you, Drew.

14:25

[00 13:38.862 – 00:13:41.622] So here's one that I came up with.

14:28

[00 13:41.622 – 00:13:45.062] I, I believe, uh, we're thinking along the same lines here, Drew.

14:33

[00 13:45.062 – 00:13:49.802] So, uh, in the Big Book, Chapter 2: There Is a Solution, page 28.

14:39

[00 13:49.802 – 00:13:54.222] Uh, it says, "We have no desire..." Whoa.

14:42

[00 13:54.222 – 00:13:57.722] Sorry about that.

14:44

[00 13:57.722 – 00:13:59.742] My s- magic mouse is pretty touchy.

14:47

[00 13:59.742 – 00:14:10.002] It says, "We have no desire to convince anyone that there is only one way by which faith can be acquired." So

14:56

[00 14:10.002 – 00:14:12.922] there's Leslie Weatherhead saying the Oxford Group's m-

15:00

[00 14:13.071 – 00:14:15.871] Trying to put a patent, uh, on this message.

15:04

[00 14:15.871 – 00:14:21.491] Uh, it's not limited to one faith or, or just the Oxford Group itself.

15:10

[00 14:21.491 – 00:14:31.651] Uh, and of course the principle that we have, uh, in Alcoholics Anonymous today, uh, where no specific faith or, or religion is forced

15:20

[00 14:31.651 – 00:14:32.371] upon anybody.

15:22

[00 14:32.371 – 00:14:36.071] The program, uh, is open, uh, to anyone who says they're a member.

15:27

[00 14:36.071 – 00:14:39.971] All right.

15:28

[00 14:39.971 – 00:14:47.371] Next is a interesting book, uh, titled Healing in His Wings, uh, the Biography of a Spiritual Healer.

15:36

[00 14:47.371 – 00:14:49.751] Uh, this is another book by A.J.

15:40

[00 14:49.751 – 00:14:50.471] Russell.

15:41

[00 14:50.471 – 00:14:56.671] Uh, it notes here on the dust jacket, he was also the author of, uh, For Sinners Only.

15:48

[00 14:56.671 – 00:14:59.971] And A.J.

15:50

[00 14:59.971 – 00:15:04.391] Russell, uh, was a newspaper reporter, uh, from England.

15:54

[00 15:04.391 – 00:15:10.251] He published this book in 1937, and it was published by Methuen.

15:59

[00 15:10.251 – 00:15:20.371] And in chapter eight, pages 122 and 123 of this one, uh,

16:03

[00 15:20.371 – 00:15:23.651] the chapter is titled The Archbishop's Blessing.

16:07

[00 15:23.651 – 00:15:33.691] And the quote says, "Evelyn Underhill's answer in her book on mysticism is that rapture or

16:13

[00 15:33.691 – 00:15:44.271] ecstasy includes a moment, often a very short and indescribable moment, in which the mystic enjoys a supreme knowledge

16:21

[00 15:44.271 – 00:15:54.571] of, or participation in, divine reality." When I was trying to put this presentation together, I was grateful to come across that, uh, quote

16:32

[00 15:54.571 – 00:15:56.521] and, uh, it was a no-brainer.

16:34

[00 15:56.521 – 00:15:59.811] How, how does this, uh, relate to what's in the big book?

16:40

[00 15:59.811 – 00:16:06.991] Uh, and of course immediately of, of Bill Wilson's, uh, experience, uh, at Townes Hospital.

16:46

[00 16:06.991 – 00:16:17.121] So in chapter one of the big book, Bill's Story, page 12, uh, Bill wrote, "At long last, I saw, I felt,

16:55

[00 16:17.121 – 00:16:18.371] I believed.

16:56

[00 16:18.371 – 00:16:22.631] Scales of pride and prejudice fell from my eyes.

17:00

[00 16:22.631 – 00:16:25.091] A new world came into view.

17:03

[00 16:25.091 – 00:16:29.851] For a brief moment, I had needed and wanted God.

17:08

[00 16:29.851 – 00:16:40.831] There had been a humble willingness to have him with me, and he came." And I thought that was a great example, uh, of

17:18

[00 16:40.831 – 00:16:50.911] this sort of vision of how a spiritual, uh, awakening or a spiritual experience plays out in someone's life, uh, and then the reality of that happening

17:29

[00 16:50.911 – 00:16:53.491] to Bill, uh, at Townes Hospital.

17:32

[00 16:53.491 – 00:17:00.071] Up next is another book, uh, by A.J.

17:36

[00 17:00.071 – 00:17:00.591] Russell.

17:37

[00 17:00.591 – 00:17:02.841] He wrote a lot of, uh, Oxford Group books.

17:41

[00 17:02.841 – 00:17:14.181] But this one is titled, uh, Their Religion, and it's sort of a collection o- of different stories, uh, about, uh, political

17:50

[00 17:14.181 – 00:17:17.531] leaders, uh, inspirational people, uh, et cetera.

17:53

[00 17:17.531 – 00:17:20.491] Shakespeare, Napoleon, Abraham Lincoln.

17:55

[00 17:20.491 – 00:17:25.151] Uh, you see several of them, uh, pictured here, uh, on the cover of the dust jacket.

18:03

[00 17:25.151 – 00:17:35.451] And this one, uh, was printed, uh, or published in 1934, uh, by Hodder & Stoughton, or H&S.

18:10

[00 17:35.451 – 00:17:43.211] And in chapter two, this is the chapter about Abraham Lincoln.

18:15

[00 17:43.211 – 00:17:51.011] Uh, and it, uh, says that there was a sermon he often preached to his sons, uh, that was short, snappy, but comprehensive.

18:25

[00 17:51.011 – 00:17:54.171] It embraced all of Abraham Lincoln's religion.

18:28

[00 17:54.171 – 00:17:58.281] So here was, uh, his little sermon that he would say, uh, to his sons.

18:34

[00 17:58.281 – 00:18:06.271] "Don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew, don't swear, don't gamble, don't lie, cheat.

18:40

[00 18:06.271 – 00:18:08.511] Love God, love your fellow man.

18:43

[00 18:08.511 – 00:18:18.651] Love truth, love virtue, and be happy." I thought what sort of stood out to me, uh, was that, "And be happy,"

18:52

[00 18:18.651 – 00:18:20.311] uh, was at the end.

18:54

[00 18:20.311 – 00:18:30.751] And I'm assuming, uh, that old Honest Abe, uh, did so to put emphasis on the words "and be happy." And in

19:04

[00 18:30.751 – 00:18:37.611] chapter nine, The Family Afterward, uh, page 132, many of you will be familiar with this quote from the big book.

19:12

[00 18:37.611 – 00:18:41.331] It says, "But we aren't a glum lot.

19:16

[00 18:41.331 – 00:18:48.011] If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it.

19:22

[00 18:48.011 – 00:18:58.431] We absolutely insist on enjoying life." So I thought, uh, interesting, a little principle from Abraham Lincoln, uh,

19:30

[00 18:58.431 – 00:19:01.231] that maybe in some way is carried over into the big book.

19:35

[00 19:01.231 – 00:19:11.611] Uh, I can even remember, uh, one day I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, and I called my sponsor and told him a, a story about woe is me.

19:48

[00 19:11.611 – 00:19:15.351] And he said, uh, "Nick, I'm gonna get my big book out here for a second.

19:55

[00 19:15.351 – 00:19:17.291] I wanna read you this sentence.

19:58

[00 19:17.291 – 00:19:23.871] 'We are not a glum lot.'" So it sort of lifted my spirits.

20:04

[00 19:23.871 – 00:19:30.911] Here's another one, uh, titled Christ Comes to Town.

20:08

[00 19:30.911 – 00:19:33.951] Uh, it's another book written, uh, by A.J.

20:12

[00 19:33.951 – 00:19:34.710] Russell.

20:13

[00 19:34.710 – 00:19:38.771] And this is like a fictional story.

20:16

[00 19:38.771 – 00:19:40.891] Uh, I read it a couple years ago.

20:19

[00 19:40.891 – 00:19:42.191] It's pretty cool.

20:21

[00 19:42.191 – 00:19:49.011] Uh, it was sort of like, uh, what if Jesus, uh, came to your town, and how that would play out.

20:30

[00 19:49.011 – 00:19:55.611] And it was published, uh, in 1935 by Cassell.

20:34

[00 19:55.611 – 00:20:01.751] All right.

20:35

[00 20:01.751 – 00:20:05.251] And I think, uh, Tim, this one, uh, is yours, brother.

20:40

[00 20:05.251 – 00:20:06.411] All right.

20:41

[00 20:06.411 – 00:20:06.811] I'm Tim.

20:42

[00 20:06.811 – 00:20:07.691] I'm an alcoholic.

20:44

[00 20:07.691 – 00:20:15.451] And, uh, Christ Comes to Town, chapter four, Miracles, pages 236 and 237.

20:49

[00 20:15.451 – 00:20:18.951] "It is here, there, and everywhere.

20:51

[00 20:18.951 – 00:20:27.551] Wherever men can attain knowledge of God's love and enter into communion with God, there is the golden age.

21:00

[00 20:27.551 – 00:20:28.971] It is within us.

21:02

[00 20:28.971 – 00:20:40.311] Because God is in us, it is around us, because we are in God." And, uh, a

21:09

[00 20:40.311 – 00:20:41.151] couple things here.

21:10

[00 20:41.151 – 00:20:46.351] It, it reminds me of just the...

21:14

[00 20:46.351 – 00:20:51.731] We've been rocketed into the fourth dimension of existence.

21:18

[00 20:51.731 – 00:21:02.091] And, um, you know, the, the whole experience of having a spiritual experience and being able to set aside my,

21:26

[00 21:02.091 – 00:21:12.491] uh, my ego, and I can recognize the, the God and the Spirit underlying all of us that is, uh, within me.

21:36

[00 21:12.491 – 00:21:15.311] And, uh, yeah.

21:37

[00 21:15.311 – 00:21:15.911] I mean, it's...

21:39

[00 21:15.911 – 00:21:19.441] I, I think that this is, you know, what we're trying to attain

21:44

[00 21:19.560 – 00:21:21.820] And in recovery, you know?

21:47

[00 21:21.820 – 00:21:23.700] Um, so that's it.

21:49

[00 21:23.700 – 00:21:25.880] Thanks, Tim.

21:50

[00 21:25.880 – 00:21:28.450] Yep.

21:51

[00 21:28.450 – 00:21:29.400] I think you're spot on.

21:53

[00 21:29.400 – 00:21:39.660] Here's the one I came up with, uh, in chapter four, We Agnostics, page 55, "Actually, we were fooling ourselves,

22:01

[00 21:39.660 – 00:21:49.680] for deep down in every man, woman and child is the fundamental idea of God." And as, as we go through these, it just amazes me to

22:13

[00 21:49.680 – 00:21:59.340] see all these principles, uh, of the Oxford Group and how influential they were on, on giving us, uh, uh, the Big Book.

22:23

[00 21:59.340 – 00:22:01.700] It's really a cool thing to, for me to learn about.

22:27

[00 22:01.700 – 00:22:03.860] Thanks, Tim.

22:29

[00 22:03.860 – 00:22:14.280] All right, next, uh, is a book by Jack Winslow, and this one is titled Why I Believe

22:36

[00 22:14.280 – 00:22:15.500] in the Oxford Group.

22:38

[00 22:15.500 – 00:22:17.160] Now, it's kind of interesting.

22:41

[00 22:17.160 – 00:22:20.380] There was a lot of gr- uh, books published about the Oxford Group.

22:46

[00 22:20.380 – 00:22:22.100] What is the Oxford Group?

22:49

[00 22:22.100 – 00:22:23.620] Eight Points of the Oxford Group.

22:52

[00 22:23.620 – 00:22:26.080] Why I Believe in the Oxford Group.

22:55

[00 22:26.080 – 00:22:33.560] Uh, and then there were books, uh, that were, uh, criticisms of the Oxford Group, uh, which are interesting to read.

23:04

[00 22:33.560 – 00:22:39.540] Uh, but Jack Winslow wrote, uh, several pamphlets, uh, and a handful of Oxford Group books.

23:11

[00 22:39.540 – 00:22:46.800] Uh, this one was published in 1934 by H&S.

23:15

[00 22:46.800 – 00:22:52.320] Uh, and I put a little, uh, section of the forward here on this slide.

23:21

[00 22:52.320 – 00:22:54.220] It was kind of neat.

23:24

[00 22:54.220 – 00:23:04.640] And, uh, in the forward on pages 10 and 11, he wrote,

23:28

[00 23:04.640 – 00:23:09.520] "True, we may fail and fall short of our ideal.

23:33

[00 23:09.520 – 00:23:20.100] But for one who honestly makes absolute unselfishness his ideal, it must mean nothing less than that self-emptying

23:40

[00 23:20.100 – 00:23:30.160] which found its highest expression in our Lord and must be the very foundation of a character which is fashioned

23:49

[00 23:30.160 – 00:23:40.230] after His likeness." And what he's referencing there, uh, this absolute unselfishness, uh, is the four absolutes, uh, from

23:57

[00 23:40.230 – 00:23:48.820] the Oxford Group, uh, which came, uh, from the book by Robert Spear, uh, titled The Principles, uh, of Jesus.

24:05

[00 23:48.820 – 00:23:55.420] And then, uh, I thought, how does this, uh, relate to what we see, uh, in the Big Book?

24:13

[00 23:55.420 – 00:24:05.520] And then in chapter five, How It Works, page number 63, it says, "God, I offer myself to thee

24:21

[00 24:05.520 – 00:24:09.340] to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt.

24:26

[00 24:09.340 – 00:24:19.060] Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do thy will." Of course, that's, uh, what we call the third step prayer.

24:37

[00 24:19.060 – 00:24:23.200] Uh, and it talks about the bondage of self.

24:41

[00 24:23.200 – 00:24:32.220] Uh, and Jack Winslow in this book was talking about, uh, self-emptying, and I think the two are one in the same.

24:50

[00 24:32.220 – 00:24:42.600] Next is another one, uh, that was, uh, titled

24:54

[00 24:42.600 – 00:24:46.400] If I Had One Sermon Only, uh, to Preach.

24:58

[00 24:46.400 – 00:24:56.180] And this is a collection of, uh, stories or write-ups by several different authors, and then I think edited, uh, by A.J.

25:08

[00 24:56.180 – 00:24:56.700] Russell.

25:09

[00 24:56.700 – 00:25:06.740] And it was published, uh, in 1938 by Nicholson

25:13

[00 25:06.740 – 00:25:07.480] and Watson.

25:14

[00 25:07.480 – 00:25:17.500] And, uh, in chapter nine, pages

25:17

[00 25:17.500 – 00:25:22.680] 90 and 91, uh, the chapter is, uh, titled What Can We Believe?

25:21

[00 25:22.680 – 00:25:33.000] And the quote from this book, uh, that I highlighted is, "Think of yourself not as somebody who had just lost a pound or a packet

25:32

[00 25:33.000 – 00:25:38.080] on the derby, but as one in whom God is concerned.

25:37

[00 25:38.080 – 00:25:48.280] So concerned, in fact, that He went to the length of inspiring men through the centuries and finally in self-disclosure

25:46

[00 25:48.280 – 00:25:56.120] of revealing Himself toward you and placing power at your disposal to help you make the best of yourself.

25:54

[00 25:56.120 – 00:26:06.300] No matter how you explain that power, it does work." And in step two,

26:00

[00 26:06.300 – 00:26:16.360] uh, in Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book, chapter five, How It Works, page 59, of course step two says, "Came to believe that a Power

26:10

[00 26:16.360 – 00:26:26.420] greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." And I, I picked that one because a, a common, uh, thread, uh, throughout all the Oxford

26:21

[00 26:26.420 – 00:26:33.380] Group literature is, uh, they referred to God not just, uh, as a divine being, but a power.

26:28

[00 26:33.380 – 00:26:35.520] A power that could change your life.

26:31

[00 26:35.520 – 00:26:45.740] And of course, we see that, uh, throughout the Big Book and, uh, we had people share today, uh, you know, that they call God their higher

26:43

[00 26:45.740 – 00:26:46.500] power.

26:44

[00 26:46.500 – 00:26:54.220] Uh, and then also you see the principles, uh, in the Big Book, uh, where Bill wrote lack of power, uh, was our dilemma.

26:54

[00 26:54.220 – 00:27:03.140] Next is, uh, one of my favorite Oxford Group books.

26:58

[00 27:03.140 – 00:27:08.580] Uh, this one is titled I Was a Pagan, and it's a, an interesting read.

27:05

[00 27:08.580 – 00:27:12.940] Uh, and they, uh, they actually publish these.

27:08

[00 27:12.940 – 00:27:15.980] You can get them in a paperback version really cheap nowadays.

27:13

[00 27:15.980 – 00:27:22.120] Uh, all these books are books that I have in my personal collection, these old ones.

27:20

[00 27:22.120 – 00:27:23.470] Uh, they're really neat to have.

27:23

[00 27:23.470 – 00:27:28.220] But if you just wanna read them, uh, you can get them, you know, like on Amazon really cheap.

27:31

[00 27:28.220 – 00:27:37.860] Uh, but again, you have the European printing, uh, by H&S on the left and the US printing by Harper & Brothers, uh, on the right.

27:42

[00 27:37.860 – 00:27:44.610] Author of I Was a Pagan is, uh, VC Kitchen.

27:46

[00 27:44.610 – 00:27:51.020] And, uh, it was published in 1934.

27:49

[00 27:51.020 – 00:28:01.040] And I think this is one here, uh, where Renee, if you would, it's your turn to

27:56

[00 28:01.040 – 00:28:01.500] share.

27:57

[00 28:01.500 – 00:28:08.540] Okay.

27:58

[00 28:08.540 – 00:28:09.700] Can you hear me?

28:00

[00 28:09.700 – 00:28:10.680] Yeah.

28:01

[00 28:10.680 – 00:28:11.120] Thank you.

28:02

[00 28:11.120 – 00:28:11.500] Okay.

28:03

[00 28:11.500 – 00:28:12.460] Let's see.

28:04

[00 28:12.460 – 00:28:18.080] This is from I Was Pagan, chapter 18, The Business of Getting Back to God, page 266.

28:11

[00 28:18.080 – 00:28:21.460] It says, "I found a new purpose and usefulness in life.

28:16

[00 28:21.460 – 00:28:25.830] The kind of usefulness which, as Finney suggests, may-

28:20

[00 28:26.086 – 00:28:36.136] makes one's spirit filled, Christian more useful while sick in bed than any hundred able-bodied Christians of common order.

28:28

[00 28:36.136 – 00:28:42.096] I found that I was no longer vexed, distressed, or worried when people spoke against me.

28:35

[00 28:42.096 – 00:28:48.056] I found myself calm under affliction and happy regardless of circumstances.

28:39

[00 28:48.056 – 00:28:56.696] I found what was really beautiful in nature, what was really true in thought, and infinite goodness of God.

28:47

[00 28:56.696 – 00:28:58.836] Oh, gosh.

28:49

[00 28:58.836 – 00:29:05.276] Well, what comes up for me with this right here, this usefulness, found a new purpose and usefulness.

28:56

[00 29:05.276 – 00:29:12.756] I, I like that paragraph on page 164 where it says, "God will constantly disclose more to you and to us.

29:05

[00 29:12.756 – 00:29:18.136] Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who's still sick.

29:13

[00 29:18.136 – 00:29:25.496] The answers will come if your own house is in order." So I believe that God helps us to have a new purpose and usefulness.

29:23

[00 29:25.496 – 00:29:29.476] With His power and His wisdom, He gives us the answer to do that.

29:29

[00 29:29.476 – 00:29:31.736] Thank you.

29:30

[00 29:31.736 – 00:29:33.356] Thanks, Renee.

29:32

[00 29:33.356 – 00:29:42.206] Here's the one that I came up with, uh, out of The Big Book, Chapter 9: The Family Afterward, page 132.

29:40

[00 29:42.206 – 00:29:48.576] And, uh, it says, "We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

29:47

[00 29:48.576 – 00:29:52.356] We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

29:53

[00 29:52.356 – 00:29:56.476] We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace.

29:58

[00 29:56.476 – 00:30:01.895] No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

30:06

[00 30:01.895 – 00:30:05.636] That feeling of usefulness and self-pity will disappear.

30:09

[00 30:05.636 – 00:30:08.836] We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

30:15

[00 30:08.836 – 00:30:11.466] Self-seeking will slip away.

30:17

[00 30:11.466 – 00:30:16.116] Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change." And I've got a typo in here.

30:24

[00 30:16.116 – 00:30:19.456] That's not from Chapter 9, that's from Chapter 5, How It Works.

30:28

[00 30:19.456 – 00:30:21.996] Uh, but I'm sure many of you knew that.

30:32

[00 30:21.996 – 00:30:25.096] Thanks again, Renee.

30:34

[00 30:25.096 – 00:30:33.716] Next is a, a cool book, uh, by a guy named Stephen Foot who was an Oxford Group member.

30:42

[00 30:33.716 – 00:30:41.166] Uh, spent most of his time, uh, over in Africa, uh, doing a lot of missionary type work, and he was, uh, also a reporter.

30:53

[00 30:41.166 – 00:30:46.936] Uh, uh, there's three different printings, uh, you'll see here.

30:57

[00 30:46.936 – 00:30:51.476] Uh, the one on the left, uh, is the European printing.

31:02

[00 30:51.476 – 00:30:58.556] Uh, the one in the middle, uh, is the, uh, US printing, uh, by Harper & Brothers.

31:09

[00 30:58.556 – 00:31:08.556] Uh, and you'll see on the front of the dust jacket they wrote, "A new book on the Oxford Group." And then, uh, the one to the far right, they did this,

31:22

[00 31:08.556 – 00:31:10.196] uh, with several Oxford Group books.

31:25

[00 31:10.196 – 00:31:14.886] Uh, the later printings they would call, uh, a cheap edition.

31:30

[00 31:14.886 – 00:31:18.936] Uh, so this is a printing on the far right.

31:34

[00 31:18.936 – 00:31:21.536] Uh, it was the first cheap edition.

31:37

[00 31:21.536 – 00:31:31.656] Uh, and you'll see here, uh, the transition, uh, from the, the first printings that are on the left, uh, to the cheaper, uh, editions.

31:48

[00 31:31.656 – 00:31:37.696] No longer using the, the words, uh, the Oxford Group.

31:52

[00 31:37.696 – 00:31:41.656] Uh, they were using, uh, MRA for Moral Re-Armament.

31:57

[00 31:41.656 – 00:31:47.456] Uh, so it'll show you the transition, uh, of the name of the Oxford Group.

32:03

[00 31:47.456 – 00:31:58.036] And this one was published in 1935 and, uh, uh, the European printings were published by Heinemann and,

32:10

[00 31:58.036 – 00:32:00.726] uh, the US printing is by Harper & Brothers.

32:14

[00 32:00.726 – 00:32:06.456] And this is a neat little quote here.

32:18

[00 32:06.456 – 00:32:12.796] Uh, so from ch- Chapter 8, uh, which is titled Family Life, pages 130 and 131.

32:23

[00 32:12.796 – 00:32:17.496] Uh, he wrote, "What a difference when a family is changed.

32:28

[00 32:17.496 – 00:32:27.816] I have now met hundreds of fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers who have had experience of two kinds of homes, the unguided and the guided.

32:38

[00 32:27.816 – 00:32:37.876] They all speak of an entirely new atmosphere, a joy and radiance, a fellowship and trust in the home life that makes

32:48

[00 32:37.876 – 00:32:47.955] it an entirely different place." And, uh, I picked that one out because I'm an Al-Anon member, and I thought this is really, uh, a great experience, uh, that

33:00

[00 32:47.955 – 00:32:48.616] I've had.

33:01

[00 32:48.616 – 00:32:59.256] Uh, and my wife, uh, coming into Alcoholics Anonymous, uh, and me going to Al-Anon and, uh, really seeing a, a huge difference in our home and,

33:12

[00 32:59.256 – 00:33:01.496] uh, family life with our kids and whatnot.

33:16

[00 33:01.496 – 00:33:07.716] Uh, so of course that took me, uh, in The Big Book to Chapter 9: The Family Afterward.

33:23

[00 33:07.716 – 00:33:17.916] Uh, on page 134, uh, Bill Wilson wrote, "In time, they will see that he is a new man, and in their own

33:32

[00 33:17.916 – 00:33:19.956] way, they will let him know it.

33:36

[00 33:19.956 – 00:33:29.996] When this happens, they can be invited to join in the morning meditation, and then they can take part in daily discussions without

33:45

[00 33:29.996 – 00:33:31.136] rancor or bias.

33:47

[00 33:31.136 – 00:33:34.896] From that point on, progress will be rapid.

33:51

[00 33:34.896 – 00:33:44.636] Marvelous results often follow such a reunion." That's kind of a special one, uh, for me being an Al-Anon member.

33:59

[00 33:44.636 – 00:33:54.886] Next is another book, uh, by Stephen Foot, and this one, uh, is titled Three Lives and Now.

34:07

[00 33:54.886 – 00:33:58.576] Uh, he published this under two different titles.

34:10

[00 33:58.576 – 00:34:02.436] Uh, so the first, uh, one was just titled Three Lives.

34:15

[00 34:02.436 – 00:34:12.676] Uh, and then later, uh, he had it, uh, republished and he added, uh, sections to it, uh, specifically about his experiences in the Oxford

34:26

[00 34:12.676 – 00:34:13.176] Group.

34:27

[00 34:13.176 – 00:34:17.316] Uh, and retitled it Three Lives and Now.

34:30

[00 34:17.316 – 00:34:20.756] And this is a, a European printing.

34:34

[00 34:20.756 – 00:34:26.596] It was published, uh, by Heinemann, uh, in 1937.

34:37

[00 34:26.596 – 00:34:32.116] All right.

34:38

[00 34:32.116 – 00:34:38.176] And in this one, uh, part three, chapter seven, uh, titled A Fourth Life.

34:44

[00 34:38.176 – 00:34:41.736] Uh, so you'll see a picture here of page 285.

34:49

[00 34:41.736 – 00:34:51.756] And the quote says, "Moreover, the speaker was telling us of his own experience, and he was obviously

34:56

[00 34:51.756 – 00:34:52.776] speaking the truth.

34:58

[00 34:52.776 – 00:35:02.936] He had been one of the leaders of the Africans Party in Pretoria with exceedingly bitter feelings against the English, but

35:07

[00 35:02.936 – 00:35:13.036] the whole of his outlook, indeed his whole nature, had changed as a result of meeting the Oxford Group." And of course, uh,

35:16

[00 35:13.036 – 00:35:21.196] many of you know, uh, the, uh, things that were taking place, uh, in Africa and racial injustice and things of that nature.

35:26

[00 35:21.196 – 00:35:29.155] Uh, so he's speaking, uh, about people coming from that environment joining the Oxford Group, uh, and this huge change.

35:35

[00 35:29.155 – 00:35:32.346] And, uh, was also fascinated

35:37

[00 35:32.905 – 00:35:41.745] A-about how they would, uh, have a speaker, uh, at an Oxford Group gathering and sh- people would share their own experience.

35:46

[00 35:41.745 – 00:35:51.825] Uh, and he notes in here, uh, "The fellow was obviously speaking the truth." And I've heard people, uh, share their story, talk about their first

35:57

[00 35:51.825 – 00:35:55.405] meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous or their first time hearing a speaker.

36:02

[00 35:55.405 – 00:36:05.425] Uh, and they thought, "My God, this person's up here talking about the worst things that they've ever done, uh, and everybody's laughing about it and having a good time." Uh,

36:15

[00 36:05.425 – 00:36:12.965] I thought about the power, uh, in that and, you know, what Bill Wilson would describe as language of the heart.

36:24

[00 36:12.965 – 00:36:18.385] But, uh, really being able, uh, to s- share the truth, uh, with other people in the fellowship.

36:32

[00 36:18.385 – 00:36:25.485] It made me think, uh, of Chapter 6, Into Action, page 84, uh, in the Big Book.

36:38

[00 36:25.485 – 00:36:35.965] And, uh, so, uh, y- in the Oxford Group book, uh, you see he talked about, uh, these prejudices and bad feelings,

36:48

[00 36:35.965 – 00:36:40.265] uh, toward the English, uh, melting away and his whole outlook changing.

36:53

[00 36:40.265 – 00:36:50.325] And in the Big Book here, the quote is, "And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone, even alcohol, for by this time

37:03

[00 36:50.325 – 00:36:52.945] sanity will have returned.

37:05

[00 36:52.945 – 00:36:55.585] We will seldom be interested in liquor.

37:08

[00 36:55.585 – 00:36:59.885] If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame.

37:13

[00 36:59.885 – 00:37:06.865] We react sanely and normally, and we will find this has happened automatically.

37:18

[00 37:06.865 – 00:37:14.225] We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given to us without any thought or effort on our part.

37:28

[00 37:14.225 – 00:37:15.865] It just comes.

37:29

[00 37:15.865 – 00:37:23.505] That is the miracle of it." All right.

37:33

[00 37:23.505 – 00:37:26.285] Next, uh, this book is titled God Calling.

37:37

[00 37:26.285 – 00:37:29.265] Uh, it's another book by AJ Russell.

37:40

[00 37:29.265 – 00:37:33.164] Uh, there are writings, uh, from several different people.

37:44

[00 37:33.164 – 00:37:39.185] Uh, he compiled it, edited it, and putted it together, uh, as a daily devotional book.

37:51

[00 37:39.185 – 00:37:46.645] It was published, uh, in 1945 by Dodd, Mead and Company.

37:55

[00 37:46.645 – 00:37:56.665] And I think Morry, uh, it's your turn if you would be able to read and share

38:02

[00 37:56.665 – 00:37:57.305] about this one.

38:04

[00 37:57.305 – 00:38:03.245] Okay.

38:05

[00 38:03.245 – 00:38:05.365] If you're ...

38:06

[00 38:05.365 – 00:38:06.164] All right, I see.

38:08

[00 38:06.164 – 00:38:08.325] Okay.

38:09

[00 38:08.325 – 00:38:13.165] G- God Calling, May 9th, pages 100, 101.

38:12

[00 38:13.165 – 00:38:16.445] See, "Doubt always your ...

38:14

[00 38:16.445 – 00:38:22.245] Doubt always your power or wisdom to put things right.

38:18

[00 38:22.245 – 00:38:32.425] Ask Me to right all as you leave it to Me and go

38:24

[00 38:32.425 – 00:38:39.465] on your way loving and laughing." We're not a glum lot.

38:29

[00 38:39.465 – 00:38:41.345] All right.

38:30

[00 38:41.345 – 00:38:51.395] "Doubt always your power or wisdom to put things right." All right, because I'm a, I'm,

38:37

[00 38:51.395 – 00:38:52.585] I'm a drunk.

38:38

[00 38:52.585 – 00:38:53.165] I'm a sinner.

38:40

[00 38:53.165 – 00:38:55.445] Character defects.

38:41

[00 38:55.445 – 00:39:03.945] "Ask Me to right all as you leave it to Me and go on your way." Hmm.

38:49

[00 39:03.945 – 00:39:05.745] God calling.

38:50

[00 39:05.745 – 00:39:06.605] Okay.

38:51

[00 39:06.605 – 00:39:16.805] And just think, you know, I'm the one in my family they thought I was gonna be a pastor, so,

38:59

[00 39:16.805 – 00:39:20.225] uh, well, it didn't turn out that way, so.

39:03

[00 39:20.225 – 00:39:30.345] And when I see that word, the calling, that's what, that's pas- a p- you know, that's a word of the cloth, you know, a calling, you know.

39:15

[00 39:30.345 – 00:39:41.085] So just wanna let you know my, uh, grandparents were, uh, Salvation Army officers, and

39:21

[00 39:41.085 – 00:39:51.165] I'll always consider how much they hel- uh, the Salvation Army, uh, helped out down in the Bowery there in the 1800s, you know, before they even

39:33

[00 39:51.165 – 00:39:52.045] came along.

39:34

[00 39:52.045 – 00:39:57.925] And it's really, you know, the Salvation Army's something else, you know?

39:39

[00 39:57.925 – 00:40:01.265] I see that.

39:41

[00 40:01.265 – 00:40:02.205] Thank you.

39:42

[00 40:02.205 – 00:40:04.125] Thanks, Morry.

39:43

[00 40:04.125 – 00:40:04.985] Appreciate that.

39:44

[00 40:04.985 – 00:40:15.715] So here was the, uh, the one that came to mind for me, uh, in Chapter 11, A Vision for You, page 164.

39:53

[00 40:15.715 – 00:40:21.605] Uh, it says, "Abandon yourself to God as you understand God.

39:58

[00 40:21.605 – 00:40:24.505] Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows.

40:02

[00 40:24.505 – 00:40:27.825] Clear away the wreckage of the past.

40:05

[00 40:27.825 – 00:40:31.525] Give freely of what you find and join us.

40:10

[00 40:31.525 – 00:40:41.705] We shall be with you in the fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the road of happy destiny."

40:21

[00 40:41.705 – 00:40:49.985] Of course, many of us familiar, uh, with that quote there, uh, uh, at the end of the first 164 pages of the Big Book.

40:31

[00 40:49.985 – 00:41:00.085] Uh, but I thought it was significant, uh, how much of the Oxford Group, uh, literature, uh, would reference happiness and loving and laughing,

40:41

[00 41:00.085 – 00:41:01.525] as it says in this quote.

40:44

[00 41:01.525 – 00:41:09.135] And then how Bill sort of took that principle, uh, and translated it, uh, into the, uh, road of happy destiny.

40:53

[00 41:09.135 – 00:41:10.505] Thought it was pretty cool.

40:55

[00 41:10.505 – 00:41:18.245] Next, uh, is a name you'll probably get tired of hearing.

41:00

[00 41:18.245 – 00:41:23.885] Uh, another book by AJ Russell, and this one, uh, is called God at Eventide.

41:07

[00 41:23.885 – 00:41:29.045] And, uh, this is, uh, a companion volume, uh, to God Calling.

41:12

[00 41:29.045 – 00:41:33.345] So it's another, uh, d- daily devotional book, uh, and it's pretty cool.

41:18

[00 41:33.345 – 00:41:40.085] Uh, this copy here was published, uh, in 1950, uh, by Dodd, Mead and Company.

41:24

[00 41:40.085 – 00:41:50.505] And, uh, on June 15th here, uh, you'll see pictured pages 90 and 91,

41:29

[00 41:50.505 – 00:42:00.585] uh, the little quote says, "Do not let doubt or feel- fear assail or depress you because of this time of anguish

41:38

[00 42:00.585 – 00:42:04.665] and failure since through which you have passed.

41:42

[00 42:04.665 – 00:42:05.925] Know this had to be.

41:44

[00 42:05.925 – 00:42:09.065] Useful work lies ahead of you.

41:47

[00 42:09.065 – 00:42:19.285] Before the onset of so great a task, My servant has usually to walk through the valley of humiliation

41:55

[00 42:19.285 – 00:42:29.345] or in the wilderness." So of course, you have a biblical, uh, reference there, uh, with Jesus spending time, uh, in the wilderness,

42:05

[00 42:29.345 – 00:42:32.025] uh, before he, uh, started his work.

42:08

[00 42:32.025 – 00:42:37.425] Uh, and much of the Oxford Group literature refers to the word work.

42:14

[00 42:37.425 – 00:42:38.815] So, uh, they would say

42:16

[00 42:39.214 – 00:42:43.194] Once you were changed, uh, in the Oxford Group, then you had work to do.

42:23

[00 42:43.194 – 00:42:49.414] Uh, and then you'll see, uh, some of the same principles, uh, carried over into the Big Book.

42:30

[00 42:49.414 – 00:42:53.234] Uh, so in chapter nine, uh, The Family Afterward...

42:34

[00 42:53.234 – 00:42:54.454] Uh, whoa.

42:36

[00 42:54.454 – 00:42:57.704] My mouse is so sensitive.

42:38

[00 42:57.704 – 00:43:06.654] Uh, page one thirty-two, uh, the quote says, "So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness.

42:45

[00 43:06.654 – 00:43:17.334] Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past.

42:53

[00 43:17.334 – 00:43:18.754] But why shouldn't we laugh?

42:55

[00 43:18.754 – 00:43:28.854] We have recovered and have been given the power to help others." And I thought the principle that's sort of laid out there, uh, you know,

43:06

[00 43:28.854 – 00:43:38.894] in the Oxford Group book, uh, it's saying, uh, the difficulties that you went through, uh, were preparing you, uh, for what God's plan

43:17

[00 43:38.894 – 00:43:41.394] was, uh, for you to move forward.

43:20

[00 43:41.394 – 00:43:48.634] Uh, and similarly, uh, in the Big Book, uh, we hear we will not regret the past or wish to shut the door on it.

43:30

[00 43:48.634 – 00:43:58.674] Uh, and here, uh, is Bill Wilson, when he wrote the Big Book, was referencing, uh, how people can sometimes be shocked, uh, when people

43:41

[00 43:58.674 – 00:44:02.734] burst out into merriment over what seems to be a tragic experience.

43:46

[00 44:02.734 – 00:44:08.594] Uh, but I thought it was really uplifting, uh, the way Bill wrote this to say, "But why shouldn't we laugh?

43:55

[00 44:08.594 – 00:44:15.194] We have recovered and have been given the power to help others." Really for me, powerful message in that.

44:03

[00 44:15.194 – 00:44:24.954] Uh, next is a, a, a book that's a compilation of write-ups by several different, uh, people.

44:10

[00 44:24.954 – 00:44:27.714] Uh, it's titled Oxford and the Groups.

44:14

[00 44:27.714 – 00:44:33.734] And, uh, this is a first printing here, and it has the original band.

44:20

[00 44:33.734 – 00:44:37.454] Uh, it's the only, uh, one that I've ever seen, which is kind of a cool thing.

44:27

[00 44:37.454 – 00:44:47.494] Uh, but it says, uh, "The story of the groups by a leader of the movement." And, uh, a lot of folks, uh,

44:37

[00 44:47.494 – 00:45:00.494] especially the critics, would refer to the Oxford Group, uh, as Buckmanism, uh, and it says here, "Criticized and defended." And

44:46

[00 45:00.494 – 00:45:10.514] this one was published, uh, in 1934, uh, several different authors, and it was, uh, published by Basil, uh, Blackwell

44:54

[00 45:10.514 – 00:45:10.954] Oxford.

44:54

[00 45:10.954 – 00:45:15.834] Right.

44:55

[00 45:15.834 – 00:45:20.954] And, uh, you'll see pages eighty-two and eighty-three, uh, here on the slide.

45:01

[00 45:20.954 – 00:45:27.574] Uh, this is from chapter seven, which was titled The Group Movement and Social Problems.

45:07

[00 45:27.574 – 00:45:34.994] When I was putting this together, I thought how many of us come into recovery, uh, with some social problems.

45:16

[00 45:34.994 – 00:45:45.054] Uh, but the quote says, "This putting off of the day of self-surrender is the greatest stronghold of sin, and

45:24

[00 45:45.054 – 00:45:47.614] it must be stormed out at all costs.

45:28

[00 45:47.614 – 00:45:57.654] Every man must be brought to see that the root of all evil is within himself." And, uh, when I

45:37

[00 45:57.654 – 00:46:07.674] was going through trying to pick things out, I thought this is a, a great, uh, example of how that principle, uh, was carried directly over, uh, into

45:48

[00 46:07.674 – 00:46:08.354] the Big Book.

45:50

[00 46:08.354 – 00:46:18.574] And then, of course, uh, in chapter five, How It Works, on page sixty-two in the Big Book, uh, Bill wrote famously, we talk about this a lot,

46:02

[00 46:18.574 – 00:46:23.894] "So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making.

46:07

[00 46:23.894 – 00:46:34.014] They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though he usually doesn't

46:15

[00 46:34.014 – 00:46:34.614] think so.

46:16

[00 46:34.614 – 00:46:39.634] Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness.

46:21

[00 46:39.634 – 00:46:42.114] We must or it kills us.

46:24

[00 46:42.114 – 00:46:52.134] God makes that possible." And I thought the, the really fundamental, uh, part of this for me,

46:31

[00 46:52.134 – 00:47:02.294] uh, is, uh, in the Oxford Group book, uh, they say, uh, "The root of all evil, uh, is, is within himself." Uh,

46:41

[00 47:02.294 – 00:47:07.374] so for me, it's like the root of all my problems are within me.

46:47

[00 47:07.374 – 00:47:17.464] And then the principle in the Big Book, uh, was for me to look at myself and say, uh, "My troubles were of my own making." A- and

46:58

[00 47:17.464 – 00:47:19.614] that's a difficult thing to come to grips with.

47:02

[00 47:19.614 – 00:47:26.434] Uh, but, but thank God, uh, that Bill took that principle, uh, and carried it over into the Big Book.

47:11

[00 47:26.434 – 00:47:32.474] Uh, next is a interesting book.

47:14

[00 47:32.474 – 00:47:37.014] Uh, it's a short one, uh, for anybody who might be interested in reading it.

47:20

[00 47:37.014 – 00:47:42.174] Uh, it's not, uh, much to read, but it's called, uh, What Is The Oxford Group?

47:27

[00 47:42.174 – 00:47:46.814] And, uh, it was written by the Layman with a Notebook.

47:32

[00 47:46.814 – 00:47:56.974] And it was published, uh, you'll see here, uh, on the copyright page, in 1933 by the Oxford

47:39

[00 47:56.974 – 00:47:58.354] University Press.

47:40

[00 47:58.354 – 00:48:08.454] And I believe, uh, John K., uh, it's your

47:44

[00 48:08.454 – 00:48:11.133] turn, uh, to read and share if you'd like, brother.

47:49

[00 48:11.133 – 00:48:18.954] Trying to, trying to unmute there.

47:52

[00 48:18.954 – 00:48:19.734] Yeah, my name's John.

47:54

[00 48:19.734 – 00:48:20.324] I'm an alcoholic.

47:55

[00 48:20.324 – 00:48:21.574] Thank you, Nick.

47:57

[00 48:21.574 – 00:48:22.154] Hey, John.

47:58

[00 48:22.154 – 00:48:29.874] Um, What Is The Oxford Group, Chapter 5, Restitution, pages, uh, fifty-six, fifty-seven.

48:04

[00 48:29.874 – 00:48:40.654] "Confronted by a charged person who comes to make restitution for some wrong done, many unchanged

48:10

[00 48:40.654 – 00:48:44.154] people are not sure how to deal with the situation.

48:15

[00 48:44.154 – 00:48:54.154] Someone coming seemingly out of the blue to make, with absolute honesty and humility, restitution for a wrong done

48:23

[00 48:54.154 – 00:49:04.494] to them, uh, it is un- uh, unprecedented, and there are no printed rules or regulations

48:30

[00 49:04.494 – 00:49:15.214] they can refer to which will tell them how, without loss of dignity or acquiring patronage, to deal with the strange situation."

48:39

[00 49:15.214 – 00:49:23.634] Um, well, of course, I'm thinking of, uh, step nine, you know, making amends.

48:45

[00 49:23.634 – 00:49:33.754] Um, I, I, I wish I had, uh, more time to look it up, but,

48:52

[00 49:33.754 – 00:49:40.624] uh, uh, yeah, I, I...

48:54

[00 49:40.624 – 00:49:45.384] I, I seem to remember it talking about it doesn't matter how the other person takes the, uh

49:02

[00 49:46.243 – 00:49:49.943] amends, uh, when we do our part and, and move on.

49:07

[00 49:49.943 – 00:49:52.643] And that's the only thing that comes to mind right now.

49:12

[00 49:52.643 – 00:49:56.303] But, um, you know, it's an important part.

49:15

[00 49:56.303 – 00:50:00.463] Restitution, of course, is an important part of, uh, of the program.

49:20

[00 50:00.463 – 00:50:02.223] That's all I got out of it.

49:24

[00 50:02.223 – 00:50:02.783] I'm sorry.

49:25

[00 50:02.783 – 00:50:04.382] Oh, no, that's great.

49:27

[00 50:04.382 – 00:50:05.203] Thanks, John.

49:28

[00 50:05.203 – 00:50:06.173] I, I appreciate it.

49:30

[00 50:06.173 – 00:50:16.423] Uh, of course, uh, for those of you who've listened to Bill Wilson tell his story, he, he talked about, uh, really simple principles,

49:40

[00 50:16.423 – 00:50:22.202] uh, that Ebby Thatcher came and shared with him from the Oxford Group, uh, and one of those was restitution.

49:49

[00 50:22.202 – 00:50:32.703] And a lot of the Oxford Group literature, uh, refers to the process of restitution or, or making, uh, amends, uh, for past harms.

49:59

[00 50:32.703 – 00:50:42.763] And, uh, uh, John, you and I were thinking just alike, uh, and here, uh, in the Big Book, chapter six, uh, Into Action, page 78, uh, it's

50:10

[00 50:42.763 – 00:50:44.903] talking about the process of making amends.

50:13

[00 50:44.903 – 00:50:50.283] And it says, "In nine cases out of 10, the unexpected happens.

50:18

[00 50:50.283 – 00:51:00.303] Sometimes the man we are calling upon admits his own fault, so feuds of years standing melt away in

50:26

[00 51:00.303 – 00:51:00.843] an hour.

50:28

[00 51:00.843 – 00:51:05.683] Rarely do we fail to make satisfactory progress.

50:31

[00 51:05.683 – 00:51:11.343] Our former enemies sometimes praise what we are doing and wish us well.

50:37

[00 51:11.343 – 00:51:14.443] Occasionally, they will offer assistance.

50:39

[00 51:14.443 – 00:51:19.763] It should not matter, however, if someone does throw us out of his office.

50:45

[00 51:19.763 – 00:51:23.403] We have made our demonstration, done our part.

50:49

[00 51:23.403 – 00:51:29.863] It's water over the dam." So John, you and I were thinking of the exact same thing, uh, brother.

50:57

[00 51:29.863 – 00:51:35.903] And I thought that it was really a cool sort of principle behind all of this.

51:04

[00 51:35.903 – 00:51:45.743] In the Oxford Group book, it talked about there's really no rules or regulations as to how this process is gonna work, uh, and sometimes people don't know how to deal with it.

51:18

[00 51:45.743 – 00:51:54.033] Uh, when you're, you're coming to somebody and saying, mm, maybe both of you, uh, had done some things that were wrong.

51:27

[00 51:54.033 – 00:52:04.043] Of course, the Big Book encourages to put the other person's faults completely to the side a- and make amends, uh, only for, uh, the things that we've done

51:39

[00 52:04.043 – 00:52:04.443] wrong.

51:40

[00 52:04.443 – 00:52:14.863] And that's, uh, an unprecedented type of thing, uh, in modern society, uh, for somebody to go to another person,

51:49

[00 52:14.863 – 00:52:18.683] uh, and really, uh, in a humble way, uh, try to make amends.

51:54

[00 52:18.683 – 00:52:28.762] And I thought it was sort of funny, uh, how Bill wrote that up in the Big Book that people are just baffled by it and, and, and sometimes the other person starts admitting their

52:09

[00 52:28.762 – 00:52:29.503] own faults.

52:10

[00 52:29.503 – 00:52:35.343] Uh, but either way, uh, even if you get thrown out of their office, uh, we've done our part.

52:18

[00 52:35.343 – 00:52:38.043] Thanks again, John.

52:20

[00 52:38.043 – 00:52:48.223] Uh, next one, uh, is a book titled The Eight Points of the Oxford Group:

52:26

[00 52:48.223 – 00:52:51.603] An Exposition for Christians and Pagans.

52:29

[00 52:51.603 – 00:52:56.203] Uh, and the author, uh, was Irving Benson or C.

52:34

[00 52:56.203 – 00:52:57.183] Irving Benson.

52:35

[00 52:57.183 – 00:52:59.243] This is a, a neat book.

52:38

[00 52:59.243 – 00:53:00.323] I enjoyed reading it.

52:40

[00 53:00.323 – 00:53:09.103] Uh, it was published, uh, in 1936, uh, and the publisher was Humphrey Milford Oxford University Press.

52:46

[00 53:09.103 – 00:53:19.303] Uh, and the quote that I came up with here, uh, is from chapter two, Confession

52:53

[00 53:19.303 – 00:53:24.253] is Good for the Soul, uh, and that's on pages 22 and 23.

52:58

[00 53:24.253 – 00:53:32.973] And of course, a confession is, uh, what's referred to, uh, as confession, uh, in religious practices.

53:05

[00 53:32.973 – 00:53:39.623] Uh, uh, in recovery, uh, we would call this, uh, like a fifth step.

53:12

[00 53:39.623 – 00:53:48.923] Uh, but the quote, uh, here says, "Their solitary search for forgiveness is generally unsuccessful.

53:18

[00 53:48.923 – 00:53:56.003] The forgiveness of God is an amazing gift, but it's hard to believe and accept the gift.

53:25

[00 53:56.003 – 00:53:59.643] Sharing makes God's pardon real.

53:28

[00 53:59.643 – 00:54:09.663] Peace without forgiveness is impossible, and confession is the way to forgiveness and therefore the way to peace."

53:35

[00 54:09.663 – 00:54:19.703] And, you know, what they're referencing there is, uh, someone, uh, trying to, to come to peace with their past mistakes and just

53:45

[00 54:19.703 – 00:54:26.683] admit them to God, uh, but not to another person, uh, and how that can sometimes be detrimental.

53:53

[00 54:26.683 – 00:54:35.823] And the, the, the real path, uh, to forgiveness, uh, and, and peace is confession to another person or to your fellow man.

54:03

[00 54:35.823 – 00:54:42.803] Uh, and of course, that, uh, uh, is, you know, what we would call, uh, step five, uh, in the 12 steps.

54:11

[00 54:42.803 – 00:54:53.183] So, uh, in chapter six, Into Action, page 72, uh, Bill wrote, "This is perhaps difficult." And he's referring

54:19

[00 54:53.183 – 00:54:56.943] to the process of admitting your faults to another person.

54:24

[00 54:56.943 – 00:55:01.563] Uh, "Especially discussing our defects with another person.

54:27

[00 55:01.563 – 00:55:07.143] We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to ourselves.

54:33

[00 55:07.143 – 00:55:10.163] There is doubt about that.

54:35

[00 55:10.163 – 00:55:18.343] In actual practice, we usually find a solitary self-appraisal insufficient.

54:40

[00 55:18.343 – 00:55:22.023] Many of us thought it necessary to go much further.

54:44

[00 55:22.023 – 00:55:32.143] We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person when we see good reasons why we should do it or we should do

54:55

[00 55:32.143 – 00:55:32.343] so.

54:56

[00 55:32.343 – 00:55:34.643] The best reason first.

54:58

[00 55:34.643 – 00:55:44.663] If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking." And this is another, uh, example of, uh, you

55:06

[00 55:44.663 – 00:55:54.663] know, the, the principle reworded in a little bit different way, but saying the exact same thing in the Big Book, uh, as was contained, uh, uh, in the Eight Points of

55:19

[00 55:54.663 – 00:55:55.543] the Oxford Group.

55:21

[00 55:55.543 – 00:56:01.443] And, and, you know, my own, uh, life, uh, this rings true.

55:26

[00 56:01.443 – 00:56:11.843] Uh, you know, things that h- had happened in my life, uh, I was trying to tough those out, uh, by myself, things that I regretted,

55:37

[00 56:11.843 – 00:56:14.443] uh, and it's difficult to share those with someone else.

55:42

[00 56:14.443 – 00:56:24.503] Uh, but then coming into recovery, uh, and you're with other people, uh, and you can see good reason, uh, in them, uh, that they've

55:52

[00 56:24.503 – 00:56:29.303] recovered, uh, you know, it encourages us to, to be able to do the same.

55:59

[00 56:29.303 – 00:56:34.863] Uh, next is a, a book by, uh, W.E.

56:03

[00 56:34.863 – 00:56:35.723] Sangster.

56:04

[00 56:35.723 – 00:56:40.063] Uh, this is a cool book titled God Does Guide Us.

56:09

[00 56:40.063 – 00:56:49.363] This was published in 1934 by Hodder & Stoughton, H&S.

56:13

[00 56:52.619 – 00:57:03.119] And in chapter 13 titled By Way of Warning, pages 198 and 199, the quote says, "No apology

56:19

[00 57:03.119 – 00:57:13.159] therefore is necessary for sounding the note of warning and of looking squarely at the dangers, because it is still

56:28

[00 57:13.159 – 00:57:23.239] imperative that he who thinketh he standeth should take heed lest he fall." And this, uh, reminded

56:35

[00 57:23.239 – 00:57:26.319] me of chapter five, How It Works, on page 68.

56:39

[00 57:26.319 – 00:57:29.199] Uh, many of you are probably familiar with this.

56:43

[00 57:29.199 – 00:57:36.119] It says, "We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our creator.

56:49

[00 57:36.119 – 00:57:40.019] We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness.

56:54

[00 57:40.019 – 00:57:43.799] Paradoxically, it is the way of strength.

56:57

[00 57:43.799 – 00:57:48.219] The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage.

57:01

[00 57:48.219 – 00:57:50.799] All men of faith have courage.

57:04

[00 57:50.799 – 00:57:52.539] They trust their God.

57:06

[00 57:52.539 – 00:57:55.279] We never apologize for God.

57:09

[00 57:55.279 – 00:58:05.299] Instead, we let Him demonstrate through us what He can do." And I thought it was pretty cool, uh, that you see in the Big

57:19

[00 58:05.299 – 00:58:15.099] Book, uh, you know, that we never apologize, uh, for depending on God and, uh, the same principle, uh, was right out of this Oxford Group book.

57:31

[00 58:15.099 – 00:58:25.479] Uh, next is a book, uh, titled Seeking and Finding, uh, by a fella named,

57:37

[00 58:25.479 – 00:58:27.899] uh, Ebenezer Macmillan.

57:39

[00 58:27.899 – 00:58:30.539] This is another pretty cool book.

57:42

[00 58:30.539 – 00:58:40.939] Uh, you'll see on the left is the European printing by H&S, uh, and then on the right, uh, this is the Harper & Brothers, uh, US printing.

57:53

[00 58:40.939 – 00:58:46.709] And this book was published in 1933.

57:56

[00 58:46.709 – 00:58:56.819] And, uh, Jeff D., I think it's, uh, your turn to read, man.

58:02

[00 58:56.819 – 00:59:05.819] All right, I'm trying to get this thing figured out.

58:06

[00 59:05.819 – 00:59:06.639] Can you hear me now?

58:09

[00 59:06.639 – 00:59:07.519] Yeah.

58:09

[00 59:07.519 – 00:59:07.909] Hey, Jeff.

58:11

[00 59:07.909 – 00:59:09.639] Hey, buddy.

58:12

[00 59:09.639 – 00:59:10.859] Now, how did I lose...

58:14

[00 59:10.859 – 00:59:11.308] Here it is.

58:16

[00 59:11.308 – 00:59:13.179] Okay, let's see.

58:18

[00 59:13.179 – 00:59:21.739] "It is usually the religious who most deeply resent in others what they have not got themselves.

58:25

[00 59:21.739 – 00:59:28.499] Envy and fear are the root of their bitterness, chiefly fear.

58:30

[00 59:28.499 – 00:59:35.999] Fear of what such change would mean to themself.

58:34

[00 59:35.999 – 00:59:40.479] Fear of coming too close to supernatural.

58:37

[00 59:40.479 – 00:59:48.519] It is a fear we have all known." And I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself.

58:43

[00 59:48.519 – 00:59:53.959] I'm Jeff, and I'm a grateful member of Al-Anon, so I'm not very familiar with the Big Book.

58:51

[00 59:53.959 – 01:00:03.959] But reading over this and trying to understand what it is talking to me, when I see it speaking about fear, you know, fear is

59:02

[01 00:03.959 – 01:00:06.819] what brought me into Al-Anon.

59:04

[01 00:06.819 – 01:00:17.299] And when I read step one, "We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives had become unmanageable,"

59:13

[01 00:17.299 – 01:00:27.459] that was being able to help to get rid of a big fear that I had, because I thought that I had caused

59:23

[01 00:27.459 – 01:00:31.519] my daughter's problem, and I thought that I had to cure it.

59:28

[01 00:31.519 – 01:00:42.819] So fear was what brought me into the doors of Al-Anon, and working through these steps is what helped me to, uh, find

59:38

[01 00:42.819 – 01:00:47.539] my higher power, turn it over to God and let Him...

59:43

[01 00:47.539 – 01:00:51.079] O- only ask that I can follow His will.

59:47

[01 00:51.079 – 01:00:54.259] So don't know if that's what you're looking for, Mr.

59:51

[01 00:54.259 – 01:00:55.919] Nicholas, but that's what I got.

59:54

[01 00:55.919 – 01:00:57.219] No, that's great.

59:56

[01 00:57.219 – 01:00:57.979] Thanks, Jeff.

59:57

[01 00:57.979 – 01:01:01.099] Uh, fear is such a big thing.

60:00

[01 01:01.099 – 01:01:11.359] Uh, so here, uh, in the Big Book, in chapter five, How It Works, page 62, uh, Bill wrote, "Selfishness,

60:08

[01 01:11.359 – 01:01:15.399] self-centeredness, that, we think, is the root of our troubles.

60:13

[01 01:15.399 – 01:01:26.819] Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows, and they retaliate."

60:22

[01 01:26.819 – 01:01:31.919] Uh, you know, fear is such a big part, I think, of, uh, everyone's recovery.

60:28

[01 01:31.919 – 01:01:42.059] Uh, regardless of whether you're in AA or, or Al-Anon, fear can sometimes, uh, be the motive behind all sorts of different

60:38

[01 01:42.059 – 01:01:42.959] bad behaviors.

60:39

[01 01:42.959 – 01:01:52.979] All right, we're gonna do, uh, three more, and then, uh, Thomas, you'll be our, our last person to share, uh, and then we'll bring

60:49

[01 01:52.979 – 01:01:53.939] things to a close.

60:51

[01 01:53.939 – 01:01:56.969] This is another, uh, book by, uh, Dr.

60:55

[01 01:56.969 – 01:01:58.479] Ebenezer Macmillan.

60:56

[01 01:58.479 – 01:02:01.439] Uh, it was called Finding and Following.

60:59

[01 02:01.439 – 01:02:04.829] It's sort of like a part two, uh, to Seeking and Finding.

61:05

[01 02:04.829 – 01:02:14.259] Uh, you'll see here on the cover, uh, "A book of The Oxford Group." And this one was published, uh, in 1935 by H&S.

61:15

[01 02:14.259 – 01:02:20.619] All right.

61:16

[01 02:20.619 – 01:02:27.899] And in chapter 10, uh, it's titled No Looking Back, pages 158 and 159.

61:21

[01 02:27.899 – 01:02:38.439] "We are not ready to adventure out with God as Abraham did, going out not knowing whither he went,

61:29

[01 02:38.439 – 01:02:48.509] if we are still hankering after the old life, the old human loves and sentimental relationships." And I thought, how, how is this, uh,

61:39

[01 02:48.509 – 01:02:50.299] principle displayed in the Big Book?

61:42

[01 02:50.299 – 01:02:57.819] And in chapter five, How It Works, page 58, it says, "We thought we could find an easier, softer way.

61:50

[01 02:57.819 – 01:03:07.839] Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas, and the result was nil until we let go absolutely." So the exact same

62:01

[01 03:07.839 – 01:03:16.519] principle about trying to hold on to old ideas, hold on to our former life, uh, stands in the way of us coming closer to God.

62:12

[01 03:16.519 – 01:03:22.999] Uh, next, uh, is a book, uh, by Philip Leon.

62:16

[01 03:22.999 – 01:03:30.419] Uh, this one is titled The Philosophy of Courage or The Oxford Group Way.

62:22

[01 03:30.419 – 01:03:35.919] Uh, and again, this is a European printing on the left, uh, and the US printing on the right.

62:31

[01 03:35.919 – 01:03:44.099] Uh, book was published in 1939, uh, by the Oxford University Press.

62:35

[01 03:44.099 – 01:03:54.339] And, uh, on pages 142 and 143, uh, this is chapter three,

62:40

[01 03:54.339 – 01:03:58.409] which is titled Sharing or Spreading World Revolution

62:43

[01 03:59.928 – 01:04:10.028] The quote says, "Now the procedure of the self, its strongest mode of self-defense, is to refuse to face itself as

62:52

[01 04:10.028 – 01:04:10.528] fear.

62:53

[01 04:10.528 – 01:04:13.548] It hides its face from itself.

62:56

[01 04:13.548 – 01:04:22.668] In its war against heaven, its strongest weapon is its visor." And we were just talking a little bit.

63:04

[01 04:22.668 – 01:04:26.588] Jeff, thanks for reading the section about fear, and here it is again.

63:10

[01 04:26.588 – 01:04:36.908] Uh, and then in chapter five, How It Works, page 67, uh, Bill wrote, uh, in talking about working through the fourth step, "Notice that the word fear

63:21

[01 04:36.908 – 01:04:40.718] is bracketed alongside the difficulties with Mr.

63:24

[01 04:40.718 – 01:04:41.648] Brown and Mrs.

63:26

[01 04:41.648 – 01:04:44.648] Jones, the employer and the wife.

63:29

[01 04:44.648 – 01:04:51.048] This short word somehow touches about every aspect of our lives.

63:34

[01 04:51.048 – 01:04:54.498] It was an evil and corroding thread.

63:37

[01 04:54.498 – 01:05:04.628] The fabric of our existence was shot through with it." And, uh, what a great way Bill put that, uh, to talk about how fear

63:47

[01 05:04.628 – 01:05:08.628] was really dominating, uh, our lives in so many of us.

63:52

[01 05:08.628 – 01:05:18.768] Uh, next, uh, this is a, a book, uh, that was published under three different

63:59

[01 05:18.768 – 01:05:21.188] titles, and the- these are all the exact same books.

64:03

[01 05:21.188 – 01:05:22.098] Kind of, uh, interesting.

64:05

[01 05:22.098 – 01:05:28.948] I don't know the history behind why they did that, uh, but three different titles, and they're all three the exact same book.

64:15

[01 05:28.948 – 01:05:38.128] Uh, one is titled The Oxford Groups, uh, then The Oxford Group Movement, and then The Group Movement.

64:23

[01 05:38.128 – 01:05:42.698] Uh, and I believe these were all, uh, published, uh, in Europe.

64:28

[01 05:42.698 – 01:05:47.148] Uh, the author is Herbert Hensley Henson.

64:31

[01 05:47.148 – 01:05:56.268] And you'll see it was published there in 1933, uh, Oxford University Press.

64:36

[01 05:56.268 – 01:06:00.748] Uh, no, one of them was a US printing in New York, uh, and the other two were in London.

64:45

[01 06:00.748 – 01:06:10.628] Right, and, uh, Thomas N., if you'd like to, uh, you can close us out here.

64:52

[01 06:10.628 – 01:06:20.748] Okay, from chapter two,

64:54

[01 06:20.748 – 01:06:24.008] The Charge, pages 22 and 23.

64:56

[01 06:24.008 – 01:06:34.028] "When we reflect on the conditions under which divine truth is perceived and appropriated by individuals, we cannot but

65:04

[01 06:34.028 – 01:06:44.088] see how irrational and presumptuous it must be for us to pass judgment on the spiritual experiences of others." I was thinking

65:13

[01 06:44.088 – 01:06:54.648] of, uh, in the chapter Working- Working With Others, chapter seven, um, Bill stressed that we need to stress the spiritual

65:22

[01 06:54.648 – 01:06:55.708] feature freely.

65:23

[01 06:55.708 – 01:07:02.128] Make it emphatic that he does not have to agree with your conception of God.

65:30

[01 07:02.128 – 01:07:06.748] He can choose any conception he likes, provided it makes sense to him.

65:36

[01 07:06.748 – 01:07:15.508] The main thing is that he be willing to believe in a power greater than himself, and that he live by spiritual principles.

65:45

[01 07:15.508 – 01:07:16.948] Thank you.

65:46

[01 07:16.948 – 01:07:19.428] Yeah, thanks so much.

65:48

[01 07:19.428 – 01:07:20.428] Really appreciate that.

65:50

[01 07:20.428 – 01:07:20.928] Thanks.

65:51

[01 07:20.928 – 01:07:30.987] And, uh, a little one that I came up with, uh, was in chapter four, We Agnostics, page 52, uh, where Bill wrote, "When we saw

66:01

[01 07:30.988 – 01:07:39.768] others solve their problems by a simple reliance upon the spirit of the universe, we had to stop doubting the power of God.

66:11

[01 07:39.768 – 01:07:49.888] Our ideas did not work, but the God idea did." All right, thanks, uh, Tim and Mike and everybody at Recovery Speakers,

66:20

[01 07:49.888 – 01:07:51.848] uh, for having me on to do the presentation.

66:25

[01 07:51.848 – 01:07:53.028] Hope everyone enjoyed it.

66:27

[01 07:53.028 – 01:07:56.388] Thank you so much, Nick.

66:29

[01 07:56.388 – 01:08:01.648] Great job, and thank you to all of the volunteers that, uh, that shared a little bit.

66:36

[01 08:01.648 – 01:08:10.208] And, um, we hope to have Nick back for part two at some point, and we will keep everyone updated on, uh, on when that will be.

66:48

[01 08:10.208 – 01:08:13.998] Um, but now we can take some questions.

66:51

[01 08:13.998 – 01:08:21.508] If anyone has a question, please use the raise hand function and I will, uh, call on you to unmute and ask your questions.

67:01

[01 08:21.508 – 01:08:29.228] I have a question.

67:03

[01 08:29.228 – 01:08:37.388] Out of all the books that you shared tonight, is there, uh, a favorite of yours that you've read and, and you like?

67:13

[01 08:37.388 – 01:08:42.768] Yeah, so that'd be kind of a tough call.

67:17

[01 08:42.768 – 01:08:45.508] I think I Was a Pagan is probably my favorite one.

67:22

[01 08:45.508 – 01:08:48.778] Uh, I like that one and Four Centers Only.

67:26

[01 08:48.778 – 01:08:57.508] Uh, for me there's something kind of special about Four Centers Only 'cause I guess it really was the book that sort of got things started with Oxford Group literature.

67:39

[01 08:57.508 – 01:09:02.328] Uh, but, uh, I think my favorite story is probably, uh, I Was a Pagan.

67:45

[01 09:02.328 – 01:09:04.468] Thanks.

67:46

[01 09:04.468 – 01:09:06.048] Thank you.

67:47

[01 09:06.048 – 01:09:08.068] And, uh, next is Gary.

67:50

[01 09:08.068 – 01:09:09.068] You can unmute.

67:51

[01 09:09.068 – 01:09:13.448] Nick, good, good to see you.

67:54

[01 09:13.448 – 01:09:14.208] Yeah.

67:55

[01 09:14.208 – 01:09:15.728] Uh, alw- always a pleasure.

67:57

[01 09:15.728 – 01:09:24.708] And, you know, and you amaze me that you're probably one of the most educated elements in AA that I am, uh, that I'm aware of.

68:08

[01 09:24.708 – 01:09:25.908] Is, is...

68:09

[01 09:25.908 – 01:09:27.708] Have I got this straight?

68:12

[01 09:27.708 – 01:09:33.228] Is that you actually have a part two of additional Oxford Group books that you're gonna be presenting?

68:19

[01 09:33.228 – 01:09:35.628] Is, is that, is that true?

68:22

[01 09:35.628 – 01:09:37.168] Because, you know, the...

68:24

[01 09:37.168 – 01:09:37.808] I, I...

68:26

[01 09:37.808 – 01:09:47.828] w- when I started this, I would've thought you would've had, uh, more Twice-Born Men of Harold Begbie or Charles Clapp and, uh, you know, The Big Bender and

68:38

[01 09:47.828 – 01:09:48.328] so forth.

68:39

[01 09:48.328 – 01:09:54.488] Most of the books you were talking about came from London or the United Kingdom.

68:45

[01 09:54.488 – 01:09:56.328] And, uh, I'm...

68:47

[01 09:56.328 – 01:10:01.088] What I'm guessing is those, those books that you didn't cover are gonna be in part two.

68:54

[01 10:01.088 – 01:10:01.728] Is that right?

68:56

[01 10:01.728 – 01:10:03.168] That's right.

68:57

[01 10:03.168 – 01:10:04.048] All, all of those.

68:59

[01 10:04.048 – 01:10:06.608] I have all of, uh, Charles Clapp's books.

69:03

[01 10:06.608 – 01:10:08.188] Uh- Okay ...

69:04

[01 10:08.188 – 01:10:09.268] More Twice-Born Men.

69:06

[01 10:09.268 – 01:10:15.968] In fact, I already have the slides done for those, uh- Well, the one, the one thing that, uh, I, I would...

69:15

[01 10:15.968 – 01:10:23.708] You know, God Calling was really written by the two sisters, not by AJ Russell.

69:21

[01 10:23.708 – 01:10:33.748] And maybe as fast as you were going, you know, he, all that AJ Russell did was write, write a preface basically, but all the input to this was

69:34

[01 10:33.748 – 01:10:35.528] all from the, the two sisters.

69:36

[01 10:35.528 – 01:10:39.448] I just thought you might have inadvertently skipped over that.

69:41

[01 10:39.448 – 01:10:40.378] No, that, that's right.

69:43

[01 10:40.378 – 01:10:43.228] Yeah, he's just credited as the editor.

69:46

[01 10:43.228 – 01:10:43.528] Okay.

69:47

[01 10:43.528 – 01:10:45.128] Thank you.

69:48

[01 10:45.128 – 01:10:45.808] Yeah.

69:49

[01 10:45.808 – 01:10:46.468] Thanks, Gary.

69:50

[01 10:46.468 – 01:10:49.768] Thank you, Gary.

69:52

[01 10:49.768 – 01:10:51.208] And next is Renee.

69:54

[01 10:51.208 – 01:10:52.128] You can unmute.

69:55

[01 10:52.128 – 01:11:00.468] I w- I wanted to ask you, how did you find all these books?

70:01

[01 11:00.468 – 01:11:04.908] Well, I, I, I happen to be sort of like a collector

70:07

[01 11:05.297 – 01:11:11.717] Uh, and you know, there's like a community, uh, of people who collect these types of books.

70:14

[01 11:11.717 – 01:11:15.297] Uh, so I've done a lot of trading, uh, with friends.

70:19

[01 11:15.297 – 01:11:25.417] Uh, similar, uh, to, uh, Recovery Speakers, uh, there's a website, uh, Recovery Collectibles, uh, and I've probably purchased a lot

70:28

[01 11:25.417 – 01:11:26.257] of items there.

70:29

[01 11:26.257 – 01:11:36.307] Uh, but it's really th- through part of being, uh, in fellowship with that community of people who are really interested, uh, in this

70:40

[01 11:36.307 – 01:11:38.937] type of stuff and building relationships.

70:42

[01 11:38.937 – 01:11:43.417] And maybe I find a book, uh, a friend's interested in and we'll trade.

70:48

[01 11:43.417 – 01:11:47.997] Uh, so it's, uh, been a fun thing to be a part of.

70:54

[01 11:47.997 – 01:11:50.537] Okay.

70:55

[01 11:50.537 – 01:11:52.497] Well, that's been very impressive.

70:57

[01 11:52.497 – 01:11:53.037] Thank you.

70:59

[01 11:53.037 – 01:11:54.717] Well, thank you.

71:00

[01 11:54.717 – 01:11:56.877] Thanks, Renee.

71:01

[01 11:56.877 – 01:11:58.457] And next is Victor.

71:03

[01 11:58.457 – 01:11:59.337] You can unmute.

71:05

[01 11:59.337 – 01:12:04.097] Hello, beautiful people.

71:07

[01 12:04.097 – 01:12:04.797] Wow.

71:07

[01 12:04.797 – 01:12:07.457] I could stay up all night listening to this.

71:11

[01 12:07.457 – 01:12:10.997] Like, this is fantastic, first and foremost.

71:15

[01 12:10.997 – 01:12:16.197] And, um, my question would be, uh, how is it that this ...

71:20

[01 12:16.197 – 01:12:18.497] I, I can only speak for myself, right?

71:24

[01 12:18.497 – 01:12:19.217] I know that.

71:25

[01 12:19.217 – 01:12:21.837] That's kind of one of these stupid rules in AA.

71:30

[01 12:21.837 – 01:12:31.937] But, um, why is it that when we're born we are so precious, and somehow along our life experience, s- like

71:39

[01 12:31.937 – 01:12:34.427] they say, God was never missing, you know?

71:42

[01 12:34.427 – 01:12:44.657] And, and the A- Al-Anon, uh, the, the history of Al-Anon, and like I've learned so much from this Recovery Speaker format here.

71:52

[01 12:44.657 – 01:12:45.917] It's, it's wild.

71:54

[01 12:45.917 – 01:12:51.917] And I honestly wish that, um, these were replayable in the moment.

71:59

[01 12:51.917 – 01:12:52.637] You know what I mean?

72:01

[01 12:52.637 – 01:13:02.817] Because I'll just be talking to other people and say, "Oh, you got to go to recoveryspeakers.org, you know, and see what's going on," because this is the truth.

72:14

[01 13:02.817 – 01:13:05.937] And I, I love everything that's happening.

72:17

[01 13:05.937 – 01:13:15.977] And, uh, you know, like what you reminded me of, Nick, was, um, hockey cards and, uh, putting them on the, uh, you know, with a little paper clip on the, on the bike

72:31

[01 13:15.977 – 01:13:16.677] spokes.

72:32

[01 13:16.677 – 01:13:20.417] And then my mother would come home from work and say, "Victor, don't do that.

72:39

[01 13:20.417 – 01:13:22.377] You're gonna hurt your brother." "Uh, he's okay.

72:42

[01 13:22.377 – 01:13:22.757] He's okay.

72:43

[01 13:22.757 – 01:13:28.857] I chopped off two of his toes." Like, I was, you know, like, "Sorry about that," but, uh, that's just, you know.

72:53

[01 13:28.857 – 01:13:35.437] So a little humor because unfortunately we learn by trial and error, right?

72:58

[01 13:35.437 – 01:13:45.637] But there is ultimately, I believe in my heart of heart, uh, hope for the world through AA, and it's growing, uh, unbelievably

73:08

[01 13:45.637 – 01:13:47.277] with Zoom platform.

73:10

[01 13:47.277 – 01:13:48.797] So God bless you.

73:12

[01 13:48.797 – 01:13:49.497] Sleep well.

73:13

[01 13:49.497 – 01:13:52.537] And, uh, do you wanna trade a couple hockey cards with me?

73:18

[01 13:52.537 – 01:13:53.057] Just kidding.

73:19

[01 13:53.057 – 01:13:53.617] Thank you.

73:21

[01 13:53.617 – 01:13:55.857] Thanks, Victor.

73:22

[01 13:55.857 – 01:13:59.637] Thank you, Victor.

73:23

[01 13:59.637 – 01:14:01.477] And, uh, next is Lila.

73:26

[01 14:01.477 – 01:14:05.097] There we go.

73:27

[01 14:05.097 – 01:14:05.777] Uh, hi.

73:29

[01 14:05.777 – 01:14:10.337] I, um, I just wanna say this was, this was beautiful.

73:34

[01 14:10.337 – 01:14:11.037] This was brilliant.

73:35

[01 14:11.037 – 01:14:11.897] I haven't ...

73:36

[01 14:11.897 – 01:14:22.157] It's been a number of here, years since I've heard people talking, um, about this particular topic, and it was just one little guy that did it in, in New York,

73:49

[01 14:22.157 – 01:14:29.117] um, at a, at like the entertainment part of a, of a history, uh, weekend.

73:56

[01 14:29.117 – 01:14:33.517] So, um, what I wanted to ask you, other than ...

74:00

[01 14:33.517 – 01:14:38.587] Really, okay, so the name of the, uh, group is Recovery Collectibles.

74:06

[01 14:38.587 – 01:14:43.957] Is that a website or, um, how do I find out more about that?

74:12

[01 14:43.957 – 01:14:52.877] Because, um, I have literally searched high and low, and for $150 is the only way I can get my hands on Their Religion by, uh, A.J.

74:23

[01 14:52.877 – 01:14:53.357] Russell.

74:24

[01 14:53.357 – 01:14:59.077] So I was just wondering, is there, um, is the Recovery Collectibles a website?

74:30

[01 14:59.077 – 01:15:01.897] Yeah, it is.

74:31

[01 15:01.897 – 01:15:05.697] Uh, so you can just Google Recovery Collectibles and it'll come right up.

74:37

[01 15:05.697 – 01:15:15.717] And, uh, they have like a, a wide selection of Oxford Group books, uh, Alcoholics Anonymous books, Al-Anon, uh,

74:45

[01 15:15.717 – 01:15:16.777] related books.

74:46

[01 15:16.777 – 01:15:24.777] Uh, there's, there's a, a lot, uh, of, of different types of memorabilia, uh, on that website.

74:54

[01 15:24.777 – 01:15:25.856] I think you'll enjoy it.

74:56

[01 15:25.856 – 01:15:32.517] Okay.

74:57

[01 15:32.517 – 01:15:34.497] Thank you for the question, Lila.

75:00

[01 15:34.497 – 01:15:39.037] And, uh, any other questions tonight?

75:03

[01 15:39.037 – 01:15:44.157] I have a question.

75:05

[01 15:44.157 – 01:15:50.937] I think, uh, although the hand I put up I think was a clapping hand and or something instead of the waving hand, sorry.

75:15

[01 15:50.937 – 01:15:52.487] Thanks, Nick.

75:16

[01 15:52.487 – 01:15:53.657] Uh, incredible.

75:17

[01 15:53.657 – 01:15:57.217] I know Bill Wilson said that First Step came from Dr.

75:22

[01 15:57.217 – 01:16:02.757] Silkworth, 12-step came from Varieties, and everything in between came from the Oxford Group.

75:28

[01 16:02.757 – 01:16:04.607] So I really, really appreciate this.

75:31

[01 16:04.607 – 01:16:10.057] Can you tell me maybe just roughly, uh, what years we started with?

75:37

[01 16:10.057 – 01:16:14.377] And I mean, we can see why Bill, why people are pushing for maybe a book.

75:43

[01 16:14.377 – 01:16:20.426] Um, what years these books started being published, and then the last one that we went through, what year that was.

75:52

[01 16:20.426 – 01:16:22.757] Yeah.

75:53

[01 16:22.757 – 01:16:32.197] So, uh, Four Centers Only, which is sort of like the, at first, what you'd technically call Oxford Group book, uh, was published in 1932.

76:03

[01 16:32.197 – 01:16:36.657] And most of the books we went over tonight, uh, were from the 1930s.

76:09

[01 16:36.657 – 01:16:43.697] Uh, we did a couple of, uh, uh, God Calling, uh, and, uh, God at, uh, Eventide.

76:17

[01 16:43.697 – 01:16:46.397] Uh, those were a little bit later printings.

76:20

[01 16:46.397 – 01:16:51.217] Uh, but- Early '40s or something?

76:24

[01 16:51.217 – 01:16:52.817] Yeah.

76:24

[01 16:52.817 – 01:16:56.157] I think, uh, Eventide may have been actually 1950.

76:28

[01 16:56.157 – 01:17:04.917] Uh, but yeah, just as you said, all the, the steps in the middle, uh, were things that came from the Oxford Group.

76:38

[01 17:04.917 – 01:17:10.617] And, uh, I guess on part two we'll do Charles Claps' books.

76:43

[01 17:10.617 – 01:17:20.697] Uh, and of course, he published, uh, The Big Bender in 1938, uh, right before, uh, The Big Book, uh, of course in 1939.

76:52

[01 17:20.697 – 01:17:30.797] Uh, and it's really cool, uh, to take some of the excerpts from that book, uh, and see how it, it was, you know, almost copy

77:03

[01 17:30.797 – 01:17:40.857] and paste, uh, with stuff that, uh, you know, the principles, uh, of what the guys had been doing, uh, in the AA meetings, uh, before they actually called it

77:16

[01 17:40.857 – 01:17:41.277] AA.

77:17

[01 17:41.277 – 01:17:45.597] Yeah, certainly the same fundamental principles.

77:19

[01 17:45.597 – 01:17:46.577] Yeah.

77:20

[01 17:46.577 – 01:17:47.107] Thanks, Nick.

77:21

[01 17:47.107 – 01:17:48.337] Yeah, thank you.

77:23

[01 17:48.337 – 01:17:50.237] And I'm, I'm sorry we didn't get to you, Mike.

77:28

[01 17:50.237 – 01:17:51.757] You were the last one here.

77:30

[01 17:51.757 – 01:17:52.267] We just ran out of time.

77:33

[01 17:52.267 – 01:17:53.497] Hey, I'm in the bullpen.

77:36

[01 17:53.497 – 01:17:55.517] I'm just out here ready to go if you need me.

77:40

[01 17:55.517 – 01:17:55.997] Yeah.

77:41

[01 17:55.997 – 01:17:58.037] We'll ha- we'll have you on deck for the next one.

77:46

[01 17:58.037 – 01:17:58.897] Okay.

77:47

[01 17:58.897 – 01:18:01.317] All right.

77:48

[01 18:01.317 – 01:18:02.547] Thank you so much, Nick.

77:51

[01 18:02.547 – 01:18:05.057] And thank you, uh, everyone for your questions.

77:54

[01 18:05.057 – 01:18:08.957] And, uh, now I will allow everyone to unmute and thank Nick

The following is an AI-generated transcript. Minor errors may occur. The audio is the authoritative source.

Nick H presented by Books of the Oxford Group – 2025-02-04

Nick H presented by Books of the Oxford Group – 2025-02-04

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