January 30 in A.A. History

In 1945, Walter Winchell’s syndicated gossip column, “Coast-to-Coast” told of a visit by Carrie A. Nation to New York City that “accomplished no more than having a nude statue draped and sending a lot of barmen’s blood pressure up.” Alcoholics Anonymous was mentioned in passing:

“The Lost Weekend” caused a lot more pity than the real sight does; “Harvey” makes it a good deal funnier than it always it [sic]; Alcoholics Anonymous have been there before.

In 1961, Dr. Carl Jung [left], in Kusnact-Zurich, Switzerland, responded to Bill W.’s letter of January 23rd, acknowledging Jung’s unwitting contribution to A.A. through his work with Rowland Hazard in the 1930s. He said that Bill’s letter was “very welcome indeed.” He had never heard from Rowland and “often wondered what has been his fate.” He noted that Rowland had “adequately reported” their conversations, although he couldn’t tell Rowland “everything,” having learned that he himself had been misunderstood “in every possible way.”
    What he really thought…

… was the result of many experiences with men of his kind. His craving for alcohol was the equivalent on a low level of the spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness, expressed in medieval language: the union with God^*. How could one formulate such an insight in a language that is not misunderstood in our days

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^* “As the heart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” Psalm 42, 1

    Jung said that such a person must “walk on a path which leads [one] to higher understanding.” This can be done “by an act of grace,” “through a personal and honest contact with friends,” or “through a higher education of the mind beyond the confines of mere rationalism.” He noted that Rowland had clearly chosen the second way.

    I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by a real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil. But the use of such words arouse[s] so many mistakes that one can only keep aloof from them as much as possible.…
    Alcohol in Latin is spiritus, and you use the same word for the highest religious experience as well as for the most depraving poison. The helpful formula therefore is: spiritus contra spiritum.

In 1969, The Post of Big Stone Gap, Virginia published “Invitational Meet For AA Is Set” [right], which stated:

    An invitational meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 9 at 2:30 at the Old Dominion Power Co. Building in Norton.
    Any person interested in learning something about this world-wide organization and its approach to the growing problem of alcoholism is welcome.
    The meeting will be conducted by out-of-state members of AA and will last exactly one hour per organizational policy. These visiting members will
be available after the meeting to answer individual questions.

In 1971, The Evening Star of Washington, DC, published “Bill W.”, an editorial, 6 days after Bill’s death, which stated in part,

    Alcoholics Anonymous is by far the most effective organization dealing with one of man’s oldest medical and social problems.… AA is an organization in which people give much of themselves to assist other sufferers. Many are in Mr. W[—–]’s debt for his showing how it could be done.