January 23 in A.A. History

In 1961, Bill W. [left] sent Dr. Carl Jung [right] a letter of appreciation for
his contribution to A.A., which Bill felt was long overdue. After introducing himself, Bill wrote:

… I doubt if you are aware that a certain conversation you once had with one of your patients, a Mr. Roland [sic] Hazard, back in the early 1930’s, did play a critical role in the founding of our Fellowship.
… Our remembrance of Roland Hazard’s statements about his experience with you is as follows:

Bill then told what he knew of Rowland Hazard [lower left] visiting Jung, getting sober in the Oxford Group, his message reaching Bill at the lowest point of his alcoholism through Ebby T. [lower right], followed by Bill’s spiritual experience at Towns Hospital, his founding of A.A., and the spiritual experiences of many thousands of A.A. members since.

This concept proved to be the foundation of such success as Alcoholics Anonymous has since achieved. This has made conversion experience… available on an almost wholesale basis.

    Bill ended his letter most graciously,

    As you will now clearly see, this astonishing chain of events actually started long ago in your consulting room, and it was directly founded upon your own humility and deep perception.
    Very many thoughtful A.A.’s are students of your writings. Because of your conviction that man is something more than intellect, emotion, and two dollars’ worth of chemicals, you have especially endeared yourself to us.…
    Please be certain that your place in the affection, and in the history, of our Fellowship is like no other’s.