Transcript

[00:00.8 – 00:04.6] My name is Icky Sheridan, and I'm a drunkard. [00:04.6 – 00:14.8] And through trying to follow the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and with an awful lot of help from God, I haven't had a drink [00:14.8 – 00:25.5] of any kind of alcoholic beverage in ten days, in six months, in five years, at four o'clock this afternoon. [00:25.5 – 00:28.8] I'm awfully happy to be here. [00:28.8 – 00:39.2] At this time, I wish that all of us would pause for [00:39.2 – 00:49.2] a few minutes of silent prayer or meditation and give thanks to God who [00:49.2 – 00:54.6] made possible this meeting that we drunks might be alive. [00:54.6 – 01:04.6] You know, it always seems funny to me for a drunk to pray, but I believe all of us are pretty good at [01:04.6 – 01:04.7] it. [01:04.7 – 01:08.6] I believe that I was the best jailhouse prayer in the world. [01:08.6 – 01:17.9] So now that I try to pray for something besides myself, I enjoy it. [01:17.9 – 01:28.3] We found at this wonderful general service conference, which is your general [01:28.3 – 01:37.1] service conference, that Alcoholics Anonymous was based and founded on failure and never success. [01:37.1 – 01:47.4] And as I realized what a failure I was, I heard an expression [01:47.4 – 01:57.5] in New York that, if you will pardon some of the language, described better my condition to be [01:57.5 – 02:03.7] your representative to New York as an alcoholic than any other thing I've ever heard of. [02:03.7 – 02:13.9] This man said that he heard the definition of a complete final business failure without any question whatsoever [02:13.9 – 02:17.4] was a pregnant prostitute. [02:17.4 – 02:27.9] I actually believe that that comes closer to describing the defunct condition that we drunks were in when we came into Alcoholics. [02:27.9 – 02:29.7] We were out of business. [02:29.7 – 02:41.9] No [02:41.9 – 02:51.9] report of twenty or thirty minutes could cover all that took place and was said in three days and nights of the meeting of your general service [02:51.9 – 02:52.7] conference. [02:52.7 – 03:02.7] Ole and myself this morning have to be very particular because in this audience this morning, there are also two other [03:02.7 – 03:05.7] delegates from other states. [03:05.7 – 03:13.6] We were in hopes that they wouldn't be here so we could come back and tell you anything we wanted to, but damn if they haven't checked up on us. [03:13.6 – 03:20.0] But to me, here is an outline of your conference. [03:20.0 – 03:25.3] The conference will always be an informal gathering. [03:25.3 – 03:33.3] The resolutions passed by a simple majority will be advisory only. [03:33.3 – 03:42.8] The trustees will favor all resolutions passed by two-thirds vote of your conference. [03:42.8 – 03:52.9] When trustees retire, the conference will be consulted before new appointees of the trustees are made. [03:52.9 – 04:03.5] Above all, it ought to be understood that the general service conference will never become [04:03.5 – 04:09.8] a government for Alcoholics Anonymous in any respect whatsoever. [04:09.8 – 04:20.0] It also should be well understood that any resolutions that your conference [04:20.0 – 04:26.8] might pass will never be governmental in their character. [04:26.8 – 04:37.5] AA never has and AA never will try to tell any person, groups, [04:37.5 – 04:43.6] or conferences what they should do and what they shouldn't do. [04:43.6 – 04:52.1] It is not the desire of your foundation to ever act as a governmental body. [04:52.1 – 05:03.0] And as Bill so ably said at this meeting, the following: "Our [05:03.0 – 05:12.7] new responsibility will be carried without faltering by its complete willingness to serve God. [05:12.7 – 05:23.1] May the Society of AA ever merit the grace to endure." That expresses [05:23.1 – 05:29.8] exactly to me what your conference was for and what it accomplished. [05:29.8 – 05:40.2] At this time, we have become very familiar with [05:40.2 – 05:50.4] newspaper stories that have been going in the state in regard to a cure for alcoholism, vitamins in one hand and a fifth in the other. [05:50.4 – 06:00.4] As your representative, we feel that we should try in some manner to stay abreast of [06:00.4 – 06:00.9] these things. [06:00.9 – 06:08.2] So no one here will be disillusioned to this fine eleven years work of this man. [06:08.2 – 06:16.9] I'm going to take about two minutes to read from this wonderful book, Nutrition and Alcoholism, as presented by Roger J. [06:16.9 – 06:19.6] Williams after eleven years of hard work. [06:19.6 – 06:29.8] How through misconception, the newspapers can hand to we drunks a bill of goods. [06:29.8 – 06:33.1] This is what the author has to say. [06:33.1 – 06:43.5] It would be unfortunate if the effectiveness of our treatment should cause anyone to abandon the principles and ideals of Alcoholics [06:43.5 – 06:44.1] Anonymous. [06:44.1 – 06:54.6] The need for some degree of humility and for the spirit of helpfulness persists even if one is fortunate enough [06:54.6 – 06:57.5] to have an alcoholic craving alleviated. [06:57.5 – 07:07.5] Many factors enter into the conduct of an individual, alcoholic or otherwise, besides those concerned directly with his possession of [07:07.5 – 07:08.7] alcoholic craving. [07:08.7 – 07:19.4] Quite aside from this craving, alcoholics are human beings, and such are amiable to the same sort of influence [07:19.4 – 07:20.8] as other human beings. [07:20.8 – 07:30.9] Religion, ideals, and principles may be potent forces in the lives of alcoholics, just as they may be in the lives [07:30.9 – 07:32.9] of non-alcoholics. [07:32.9 – 07:41.7] Nowhere in this man's fine book does he once say that he has a cure for alcoholism. [07:41.7 – 07:44.6] I don't even know how to spell it myself. [07:44.6 – 07:52.9] It's getting so to me, I am strictly a drunk because there is getting to be a damn stigma attached to this alcohol. [07:52.9 – 07:56.9] Now, I'm telling you, this is getting right on the front page every day. [07:56.9 – 08:01.7] And hell, they'll be pointing out pretty soon instead of saying, well, there's that old drunk. [08:01.7 – 08:03.6] They're going to start calling me an alcoholic. [08:03.6 – 08:05.4] And hell, I don't even know what it means. [08:05.4 – 08:12.0] There's another thing that has been brought to our attention that might be of interest. [08:12.0 – 08:15.3] I term this the rich man's cure. [08:15.3 – 08:16.6] It's known as the ACE. [08:16.6 – 08:19.2] It's adrenal cortex. [08:19.2 – 08:22.4] It's a very fine, helpful thing for all alcoholics. [08:22.4 – 08:31.3] Happen to have here the official bulletin of the American Medical Association to pat us drunks on the back. [08:31.3 – 08:33.3] I'd like to read this. [08:33.3 – 08:40.6] Specialized procedure becomes less important than heretofore considered in the management of addiction. [08:40.6 – 08:49.4] But medical guidance and identification with Alcoholics Anonymous are recommended. [08:49.4 – 09:00.0] Glandular therapy is not intended as a cure for drug addiction or for alcoholism, [09:00.0 – 09:10.9] nor as a mechanism to restore alcoholics to successful social drinking, but rather as a valuable aid in the treatment [09:10.9 – 09:14.9] of the sick, addicted personality. [09:14.9 – 09:26.1] That briefly is two of the most important reports that have come out in the United States in regard to alcoholism in the past six months [09:26.1 – 09:29.2] to a year that we're all so vitally interested in. [09:29.2 – 09:39.5] So it's not necessary for me to remind you that we are three percent of [09:39.5 – 09:44.1] the alcoholics in the United States that are drunk or hungover this morning. [09:44.1 – 09:54.3] There is still ninety-seven old boys or girls out of every hundred that had that dark brown taste that [09:54.3 – 09:57.5] didn't know where they were this morning when they woke up. [09:57.5 – 10:08.2] And when they woke up around about three or four o'clock this morning and heaved and gasped and wished they had that drink and went into that commode [10:08.2 – 10:13.6] and tried to urp and couldn't, we are certainly God's chosen people. [10:13.6 – 10:23.9] I know without ever mentioning that every group and every individual here today is [10:23.9 – 10:29.1] never going to be let it known that he doesn't have five cents a week. [10:29.1 – 10:34.0] Hell, I don't even believe he's a drunk if he hadn't got five cents a week. [10:34.0 – 10:42.9] He'll send it to the foundation that made this meeting possible sixteen years ago. [10:42.9 – 10:46.1] We will maintain our anonymity. [10:46.1 – 10:50.1] We will keep it with the drunks. [10:50.1 – 10:60.0] I know that every drunk in this room will start putting that five cents a week from here out. [10:60.0 – 11:09.8] And this time next year, it won't be necessary for Bill to write us a wonderful letter and remind us of our responsibilities. [11:09.8 – 11:16.6] Because as we grow and stay sober, we are going to meet our responsibilities. [11:16.6 – 11:19.3] I know that. [11:19.3 – 11:26.8] I don't think it's ever going to be necessary for it to be mentioned in the groups in Texas again. [11:26.8 – 11:37.1] Every group will send their share to help the old boy or girl that still [11:37.1 – 11:39.9] don't know about Alcoholics Anonymous. [11:39.9 – 11:40.9] I know that. [11:40.9 – 11:51.5] The reason that I know it, because I believe that we have all stood and understood the third step of Alcoholics Anonymous, [11:51.5 – 11:57.9] because we've turned our life and our will over to God as we understand Him. [11:57.9 – 12:00.2] That's why we will send it. [12:00.2 – 12:05.2] We were a little late this morning getting started. [12:05.2 – 12:10.7] But I heard a story in New York, surely it's gone all over the country. [12:10.7 – 12:18.5] But it's so good and explains what your General Service Conference really means. [12:18.5 – 12:22.2] I'd like to tell you this story that I heard. [12:22.2 – 12:32.2] There was a woman in New Jersey, wrote the Intergroup Office in New York, and asked for information how she could [12:32.2 – 12:32.9] stay sober. [12:32.9 – 12:41.2] They had one of the groups in New Jersey contact this lady and made a 12-step call. [12:41.2 – 12:48.5] They found a woman close to 60 years of age that was a deaf and dumb mute. [12:48.5 – 12:58.9] The drunks looked all over the New England states and New York for a dummy that could talk to this alcoholic [12:58.9 – 13:07.7] and carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous through the sign language so that she might be sober and happy. [13:07.7 – 13:09.8] They couldn't find one. [13:09.8 – 13:17.6] In this little group that she started to attend in the meetings, there was a man and wife of very moderate circumstances. [13:17.6 – 13:20.5] They both had to work for a living. [13:20.5 – 13:26.8] They put their children in day nurseries because they couldn't be at home. [13:26.8 – 13:30.6] They lived way over on the other side of Jersey. [13:30.6 – 13:40.3] This young member, about 29 years of age, a lady, never said anything to anybody. [13:40.3 – 13:50.3] She enrolled in Columbia University night school and rode a subway an hour and a half [13:50.3 – 14:00.9] three times a week, and went to Columbia and took sign language that she might go back to that sick alcoholic [14:00.9 – 14:09.8] and tell her, "I know what you're up against." Short time ago, they held a meeting. [14:09.8 – 14:17.2] This old lady made a talk, six months sober. [14:17.2 – 14:26.1] The people that heard her said that it's the finest AA talk that has ever been known or has ever been made. [14:26.1 – 14:36.2] She came up on the platform and through her friend talked, and her friend [14:36.2 – 14:37.2] told her story. [14:37.2 – 14:43.1] The old lady had been drunk for 35 years. [14:43.1 – 14:53.6] That is what your General Service Conference wants to do more than anything else, [14:53.6 – 15:00.7] is to continue to carry the message to other sick alcoholics all over the world. [15:00.7 – 15:10.8] And with your efforts, and with the blessing that we've received from a power greater than we are, your [15:10.8 – 15:17.7] General Service Conference will accept the responsibilities as handed down by Bill and Dr. [15:17.7 – 15:18.4] Bob. [15:18.4 – 15:28.7] We will accept the responsibilities and carry them willingly because we as individuals [15:28.7 – 15:31.9] are Alcoholics Anonymous. [15:31.9 – 15:42.7] We know that AA is on the inside of us and never on the outside of us. [15:42.7 – 15:53.0] So mainly you might say that your General Service Conference primary purpose is to remind you of [15:53.0 – 16:03.0] the 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, that we might go forward as the most [16:03.0 – 16:07.6] wonderful organization that the world has ever known today. [16:07.6 – 16:17.7] After being in New York, I'd like to tell you members of Alcoholics Anonymous that never in [16:17.7 – 16:28.2] your life do you ever need to be one bit ashamed of the fact that you belong to Alcoholics Anonymous [16:28.2 – 16:31.0] and you are a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. [16:31.0 – 16:35.4] What this is we have here, no one can describe. [16:35.4 – 16:38.7] We don't know whether it's a society. [16:38.7 – 16:40.8] We don't know whether it's an organization. [16:40.8 – 16:42.6] Bill calls it a kinship. [16:42.6 – 16:47.8] There's no word can describe Alcoholics Anonymous. [16:47.8 – 16:59.1] But we know this, that in 16 years, there has never been one written word against [16:59.1 – 17:05.9] the 12 steps or the 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. [17:05.9 – 17:10.3] To me, we are God's chosen people. [17:10.3 – 17:14.8] No one has ever been against us. [17:14.8 – 17:18.6] Everyone has been for us. [17:18.6 – 17:28.9] And with that in mind, they know that AA today has been instrumental [17:28.9 – 17:38.4] in the rehabilitation of 300,000 drunks in the United States that are sober today. [17:38.4 – 17:45.6] We have active around 112 in the groups. [17:45.6 – 17:55.6] But you and I each know at least one or possibly two that are sober, living [17:55.6 – 18:04.7] a normal and happy life without the use of alcohol, due to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. [18:04.7 – 18:15.0] When we met the trustees, we met a group of men who were the finest group of people I have ever had the privilege of knowing [18:15.0 – 18:25.4] I just wish that all of them could be here today, that they might express their feeling of gratitude [18:25.4 – 18:35.8] to you drunks for making it possible, this wonderful society or kinship of Alcoholics Anonymous. [18:35.8 – 18:45.9] Ollie and I both want to thank you for making it possible for [18:45.9 – 18:52.3] us to attend as your humble representatives to the conference of AA. [18:52.3 – 18:55.5] I'd like to leave this thought with you in closing. [18:55.5 – 19:00.3] The difference between a gift and a trustee. [19:00.3 – 19:08.6] A gift, you can do anything that you want to. [19:08.6 – 19:16.2] If a man gives you a dollar, you can do anything in the world that you want with that dollar. [19:16.2 – 19:26.2] But if he places in trust in you either a sum of [19:26.2 – 19:34.2] money or a definite thing, we have a responsibility. [19:34.2 – 19:39.9] In other words, we have to answer for what we do. [19:39.9 – 19:50.0] Every member in AA is a trustee of Alcoholics [19:50.0 – 19:50.8] Anonymous. [19:50.8 – 20:00.9] It was given to us, but we will be required to answer for what [20:00.9 – 20:04.8] we do with Alcoholics Anonymous. [20:04.8 – 20:06.2] It's yours. [20:06.2 – 20:12.5] It don't belong to anybody in this world, thank God, except to the drunk. [20:12.5 – 20:19.0] And the drunk is going to keep it because that's the only thing we have to turn to. [20:19.0 – 20:29.3] And to express my own appreciation for being here and thanks to you people that have made it possible, [20:29.3 – 20:39.3] I can't think of but one thing that expresses both Lela Belle's and my gratitude to each and every one of you here this morning, [20:39.3 – 20:47.1] is that we thank God for home and friends and food. [20:47.1 – 20:51.0] And may we live this day to show our gratitude. [20:51.0 – 20:51.9] Thank you.