Conversion-Jesus Christ-A.A. in the Lives of A.A. Cofounders

The Conversion Factor that figured so prominently in the lives of Bill W. and Dr. Bob:

(1) Bill’s grandfather Willie Wilson (an alcoholic) had a conversion experience on Mount Aeolus next to East Dorset, was saved, and never drank again for the remaining 8 years of his life.

(2) Bill actually attended conversion meetings as a youngster.

(3) Eventually, Dr. Silkworth told Bill that the “Great Physician” Jesus Christ could cure him.

(4) Bill’s friend Ebby Thacher went to the Calvary Rescue Mission, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and passed this conversion information along to his friend Bill.

(5) Bill also went to Calvary Rescue Mission, there accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, wrote that he had been born again, and decided to call on the “Great Physician” for help—going to Towns Hospital, cried out to God for help, had his blazing “indescribably white light”experience, sensed the presence of God in his room, exclaimed: “So this is the God of the Scriptures.” And never drank again.

(6) Before there were any Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Big Books, drunkalogs, and meetings as we know them today, the first three AAs (all believers in God, all Christians, and all men who had studied the Bible) asked God to relieve them of their alcoholism, and were cured.

(7) In old school Akron A.A., all the original AAs were required to profess belief in God and to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in order to begin their Christian Fellowship program in old school Akron A.A.

(8) In the Congregational upbringing of both Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the records of their churches--East Dorset Congregational Church in Bill's case, and North Congregational Church of St. Johnsbury in Dr. Bob's case--make it clear that parents, the Sunday school, and the sermons placed great emphasis on the importance of, and need for salvation and learning the Word of God.