May 26 in A.A. History

1924: The U.S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce published “The Italian dyestuffs industry: production, export, and import statistics” [left: cover] written by Dr. Frederick E. Breithut [right, 1923], American Trade Commissioner to Germany, and J. Allen Palmer [far right, c. 1930], Assistant Trade Commissioner.

A.A. History—month & day unknown

1902: The Principles of Jesus [far left: cover] by Robert E. Speer [near left, 1904], was published. On page 35 [right: with relevant passages highlighted], Speer identified the Four Absolutes that became central to Oxford Group practice.

1903: Rev. Purley Albert Baker [left], former superintendent of the Ohio Anti-Saloon League, was elected general superintendent of the National Anti-Saloon League. Under his leadership, a collection of organizations previously united in name only transformed into a cohesive federation with unified national leadership and goals.
    Meanwhile, Rev. Howard Hyde Russell [right], Baker's predecessor, shifted his focus to other endeavors. These included establishing the Lincoln-Lee Legion, a pledge program encouraging signers to abstain from alcoholic beverages [left: Lincoln-Lee Legion pledge card]. This program significantly expanded the League’s access to more churches.

1905: The Anti-Saloon League’s recovery from its financial and organizational difficulties culminated in its success in the Ohio governor's race. Incumbent Republican Governor Myron P. Herrick [left, c. 1912] had thwarted the League’s push for local option legislation, known as the Brannock Bill. Disagreeing with the bill’s scope, Herrick threatened a veto and worked to send it back to a conference committee for revision. Incensed by his actions, League leaders resolved to unseat him in his re-election bid.
    Recognizing Ohio as a Republican stronghold, the League initially sought a candidate to challenge Governor Herrick for his party’s nomination. When that effort failed, they turned to the Democrats. With the power and prestige of their organization at stake in this highly visible race, they threw their support behind Democrat John M. Pattison [right, before 1912]. Pattison won by a substantial margin, despite Republicans securing every other statewide office that election year—a clear testament to the League’s growing influence.

1908: Ernest Jacoby [left, 1913], a Boston, Massachusetts businessman originally from England, began working with the group at Emmanuel Church, bringing together leaders, including those who were struggling with alcoholism. It became known as the Jacoby Club of Boston.
    The Jacoby Club grew out of the Emmanuel movement, which was led by Rev. Dr. Elwood Worcester [near right, c. 1915] of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church [far right, 1909] on Newbury Street. In addition to his pastoral duties, Worcester practiced a method of spiritual healing aimed at various neurotic disorders. He believed that alcoholics could find relief by redirecting their focus from their problems to a life centered on service and spirituality. His treatment approach emphasized key components such as prayer, group support, and self-help.

A.A. History—year, month & day unknown

1905–15: Initially struggling with organizational and financial difficulties since its founding in 1895, the National Anti-Saloon League dramatically turned its fortunes around. By 1908, the League had not only doubled the number of churches cooperating with it but also established state leagues in all but four states.