Page 204 - The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alco_1893007162_6p_01_r5.qxd 4/4/03 11:17 AM Page 189

ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS NUMBER THREE 189
to sell me religion, either. I was at one time a deacon in
the church, and I still believe in God. But I guess He
doesn’t believe much in me.”
Then Dr. Bob said, “Well, Bill, maybe you’ll feel better
tomorrow. Wouldn’t you like to see us again?”
“Sure I would,” replied Bill, “Maybe it won’t do any
good, but I’d like to see you both, anyhow. You certainly
know what you are talking about.”
Looking in later, we found Bill with his wife, Henrietta.
Eagerly he pointed to us saying, “These are the fellows I
told you about; they are the ones who understand.”
Bill then related how he had lain awake nearly all night.
Down in the pit of his depression, new hope had somehow
been born. The thought flashed through his mind, “If
they can do it, I can do it!” Over and over he said this to
himself. Finally, out of his hope, there burst conviction.
Now he was sure. Then came a great joy. At length, peace
stole over him and he slept.
Before our visit was over, Bill suddenly turned to his wife
and said, “Go fetch my clothes, dear. We’re going to
get up and get out of here.” Bill D. walked out of that
hospital a free man, never to drink again.
A.A.’s Number One Group dates from that very day.
(Bill D. now continues his story.)

It was in the next two or three days after I had first
met Doc and Bill that I finally came to a decision to
turn my will over to God and to go along with this
program the best that I could. Their talk and action
had instilled in me a certain amount of confidence,
although I was not too absolutely certain. I wasn’t
afraid that the program wouldn’t work, but I still was
doubtful whether I would be able to hang on to the
program, but I did come to the conclusion that I was
willing to put everything I had into it, with God’s
power, and that I wanted to do just that. As soon as
I had done that, I did feel a great release. I knew that