December 19

December 19 – AM          Page 14-15, Bill’s Story, Chapter 1

While I lay in the hospital the thought came that there were thousands of hopeless alcoholics who might be glad to have what had been so freely given me.  Perhaps I could help some of them.  They in turn might work with others.
My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs.  Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me.  Faith without works was dead, he said.  And how appallingly true for the alcoholic!  For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead.  If he did not work, he would surely drink again, and if he drank, he would surely die.  Then faith would be dead indeed.  With us it is just like that.

December 19 – PM          Page 43, More About Alcoholism, Chapter 3

Fred’s story speaks for itself.  We hope it strikes home to thousands like him.  He had felt only the first nip of the wringer.  Most alcoholics have to be pretty badly mangled before they really commence to solve their problems.