The Dr. Bob Core Library
Housed at North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury
Prepared by Dick B. and Ken B.
July 11, 2009
© 2009 Anonymous. All rights reserved
Part
1: Resource Binders of Materials Relating to Dr. Bob and St. Johnsbury, Vermont
(20 three-ring binders of material)
Binder (no #): Introduction: The Challenge and
Direction of the Dr. Bob Resource Volumes
Focus: The Creator's role in Dr.
Bob's life and early A.A.; the language Dr. Bob used; the likely St. Johnsbury
influences on the early A.A. program; the documented remarks of Dr. Bob; the
central purpose of this study; connecting the whole: the Akron program and the
St. Johnsbury factors that might have impacted on it; revivals in Vermont;
relevance of Dwight L. Moody; significance of the Fairbanks family of St.
Johnsbury; the influence of Dr. Bob's family; the influence of his church; the
influence of his Sunday school; the influence of the Christian Endeavor Society;
the influence of the Young Men's Christian Association (the YMCA); the influence
of St. Johnsbury Academy; the community changes between 1875 and 1898.
Volume IA: Highlights and Contents
Volume IB: The Key Remarks of
A.A.'s Cofounders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob
Volume II (?):
Volume III: Dr. Bob's Birthplace
Volume IV: The St. Johnsbury of
Dr. Bob's Youth
Volume V: The Town of St.
Johnsbury, Vermont
The historical places and history
you'll find when you visit Dr. Bob's birthplace
Volume VI: The Fairbanks Family,
Congregationals, Community, Philanthropy
The unusual vision and Christian
altruism of this remarkable St. Johnsbury family
Volume VII:
Volume VIII: North Congregational
Church, St. Johnsbury
Worship, Sunday School, Missions,
Revivals, Evangelism, Town Meetings, Christian Endeavor, YMCA
Volume IXA: Vermont
Congregationalism--Churches and Activities
Volume IXB: Vermont
Congregationalism, Conversions, Evangelism, and Revivals
Volume X:
Revivals, Evangelism, Gospel
Meetings, the "Great Awakening" of 1875 in St. Johnsbury
Volume XI (?):
Volume XII: The Young Men's
Christian Association (the YMCA)
Volume XIII (?):
Volume XIV (?):
Volume XV
The St. Johnsbury Academy, Its Importance, Dr. Bob's Parents, and Dr.
Bob--Student and Graduate
Fairbanks family, Christian and Congregational foundations, morals and
education, curricula, the Young Men's Christian Association (the YMCA)
Volume XVI
The Fairbanks Museum: Part of the Town Archives, Educational System, Fairbanks
Legacy
Volume XVII (?):
Volume XVIII: The St. Johnsbury
Athenaeum (Town Library and Historical Resource)
Archives, connections with the
Fairbanks Museum and the St. Johnsbury Academy, resource library, Fairbanks
legacy
Volume XIX: Tracing the Roots from
St. Johnsbury to Akron
Abstinence--Christian Endeavor,
YMCA, Congregational Churches;
Reliance on our Creator for
guidance, strength, and healing--all elements
Conversion through Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior--all elements
Bible study, prayer meetings,
Quiet Hour, Religious Fellowship--all elements
Church attendance--Christian
Endeavor, Congregational Churches, the Academy
Reading of Christian literature
and topical discussions--all elements
Love and Service--Key words in
Christian Endeavor
Part 2:
The Dennis Wayne Cassidy Collection
of
Alcoholics Anonymous Historical Books, Pamphlets, Pictures,
Papers, Memorabilia, and Personal Items
(Six bankers boxes of material)
Box 1: Dick B. and Historian
Dennis Cassidy's Resource Materials
One binder, two bound
8 1/2" x 11" documents, and three manila folders [Six (6) items]
Box 2: The Dennis Cassidy Complete
Catalog of All Bill Wilson's Public Talks
[One (1) item]
Box 3: A.A. Conference Literature,
Correspondence, Announcements & Disputes
(102 folders)
Box 4: 32 Oxford Group Books,
Seven Shoemaker Books, Two A.A. Books, Begbie & Salvation Army,
Drummond, Background Christian (45 books)
Box 5: Mostly A.A.
Conference-approved Pamphlets and Literature of A.A., Al-Anon, National Council
on Alcoholism, Area and Local Groups & Personal Cards and Addresses
(Approximately 700 items)
Box 6: 2 Three-Ring Binders of 8
1/2" x 11" A.A.-related Documents; A Smaller Six-Ring Binder and
Loose Dennis Cassidy Materials; Six A.A.-related Books, and a
Concordance (10 Items)
Onsite Inventory
of
The Dr. Bob Core Library
At North
Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
08/25/09
On August 25, 2009, Richard S. called Ken B. from the North
Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, and provided him with the following
“live,” onsite inventory of the partially-completed “Dr. Bob Core Library”
housed at North Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The “Dr. Bob
Core Library” currently takes up four shelves at the church. Ken B. prepared and
later edited the following inventory as Richard S. dictated the contents of the
library over the phone. The resources below represent approximately one-quarter
of the material ultimately envisioned for the “Dr. Bob Core Library.” The
remaining three-quarters will be placed in the library as benefactors make
additional funding available. (Please see the “Dr. Bob Core Library” Project
page on the International Christian Recovery Coalition web site for more
information:
http://christianrecoverycoalition.com/drbob-core-library.shtml.)
Top (Fourth) Shelf
The top shelf (and part of the shelf below it) contain
books by Dick B. on the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible
in early A.A.’s astonishing successes. There is a little sign on the top shelf
saying: “Dr. Bob Core Library: Help Yourself Compliments of Dick B.” In other
words, visitors are invited to take one or more of the books by Dick B. for
their own use. (There were 42 books by Dick B.—in some cases, multiple copies of
the same title—spread over the top shelf and third shelf.)
Third Shelf
There is a sign on the third shelf which states: “Dr. Bob
Core Library.” In addition to the books by Dick B. on this shelf, there were the
following books:
Bill W.: My First Forty Years by Bill W. [autobiography]
A.A. and MRA: It Started Right Here [booklet/pamphlet]
How Can We Lose When We Are So Sincere by T. Willard Hunter
The Wager by Blaise Pascal
Lois Remembers by Lois [W.--autobiography]
Worldwide Endeavor: The Story of the Young People’s Society
of Christian Endeavor by Francis Clark
Our A.A. Legacy to the Faith Community by Three Clarence H.
Snyder Sponsees and Their Wives
Expert Endeavor by Amos Wells [photocopy]
Second Shelf
The Officers’ Handbook by Amos Wells
Weapons for Temperance Warfare by Belle M. Brain
Fifty Missionary Programs by Belle Brain
In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon
Successful C.E. [= Christian Endeavor] Prayer Meetings by
James DeForest Murch
The Young People’s Pastor by Amos R. Wells
Memories of Many Men in Many Lands by Francis E. Clark
Frances E. Clark by W. Knight Chaplin
The Frances E. Clark Yearbook by John R. Clements
“Pass It On” [A.A. General Service Conference-approved
book]
The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous [A.A. General
Service Conference-approved; Item #P-53]
Christian Endeavor in All Lands by Francis E. Clark
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers [A.A. General Service
Conference-approved book]
Dr. Poling’s Radio Talks by Daniel A. Poling
Folder containing Dr. Bob-related material:
RHS [A.A. General Service Conference-approved
booklet/pamphlet]
Four “AA of Akron” pamphlets/booklets:
Spiritual Milestones in Alcoholics Anonymous
A Guide to the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics
Anonymous: The Akron Guide to the Twelve Steps
A Manual for Alcoholics Anonymous: The Akron Manual
Second Reader for Alcoholics Anonymous
Holy Bible
Alcoholics Anonymous (a collection of 32 personal stories
not included in the Third Edition; 25 personal stories from the First Edition
and 7 stories from the Second Edition; with “circus cover” dust jacket)
An 8 ½” x 11” copy of 29 titles by Dick B. found on the
“Titles Page” on the www.DickB.com web site
Six, 8 ½” x 11” pages listing and describing the “Dr. Bob
Resource Volumes” by Dick B.
Contents to Volume IX: The Fairbanks Family [= 1st
page]
Volume X: The Town of Dr. Bob’s Youth to Volume XX:
Appendix [= 2d page]
Bottom (First) Shelf
There are 14 binders (blue or white) on the bottom shelf.
Some of the binders contain the more-than 1,800 pages of photocopies of
materials assembled by Dick B. and Ken B. during their June 2008 Vermont
research trip from: (1) Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont (where
Bill W. attended school); (2) East Dorset Congregational Church (where Bill W. &
family attended church); (3) Vermont History Center in Barre; (4) North
Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury; (5) St. Johnsbury Academy; and (6) St.
Johnsbury Athenaeum.
Dr. Bob Core Library Sign-Out Sheets [only Richard Skolnick
had signed anything out as of 8/25/09]
The Christian Endeavor Society: Volume XI
Bill Wilson and Bob Smith Together
A Photo Album: Cassidy Collection
So You Thinks Drunks Can’t Be Cured by Richard K.
New Life in the Old Prayer Meeting
Robert Holbrook Smith Genealogy by Ken B.
Photos of A.A. Founders and Family
St. Johnsbury History
North Congregational Church Archives Collection
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum: Finding Guide to the Archives
Collection
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and Caledonian and Vermont YMCA
Papers
Vermont History Library
Fairbanks Museum Finding Aids and St. Johnsbury Academy
Student
Additional Segment
Just Shipped Today from Maui to
The Dr. Bob Core Library
At North
Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
08/25/09
Based on the sum of $5000.00 just contributed by a
benefactor to enable the further stocking of The Dr. Bob Core Library, we have
summarized the more than 3,715 relevant research papers of Dick B. and Ken B.
These 3,715 papers were shipped today to North Congregational Church in St.
Johnsbury to be added to the inventory already placed there. Other segments will
be added as further donations are made. We thank Richard Skolnik who is on an
intensive research and investigation trip to Vermont this week. Richard attended
a Wilson House seminar, visited the Wilson family church next door, and visited
the Griffith Library where over 30,000 historical items are now lodged in East
Dorset, Vermont. Richard then proceeded to St. Johnsbury and investigated the
historical treasures at The Dr. Bob Core Library, The Athenaeum (town library),
and St. Johnsbury Academy as well as others connected with our quest for
information about both Dr. Bob and Bill in Vermont. Richard contacted specific
people who have helped us gather information, visited Dr. Bob’s birthplace, and
attended A.A. meetings in St. Johnsbury.
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Items (Papers) Shipped Today |
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Pages |
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Revivals and Evangelists |
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163 |
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Christian Endeavor Manual by founder Dr. Clark |
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296 |
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Minutes of Vermont Congregational Churches |
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214 |
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Evangelists Moody and Sankey in Vermont and St. Johnsbury |
29 |
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Biography of Evangelist Folger |
339 |
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Fairbanks Family Genealogy |
875 |
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American Christian Ruler |
412 |
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Sons of Vermont (3 Volumes) |
744 |
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About Vermont |
108 |
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Memorial to Joseph Fairbanks |
191 |
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The First Forty A.A. Pioneers |
7 |
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Books Shipped
Today
The Runner’s Bible (1915)
J.P. Thornton-Duesbury, The Oxford Group (1947)
Peter Howard, Frank Buchman’s Secret
Horace Bushnell, The New Life (1871)
Harold Begbie, Twice Born Men (1909)
Henry Drummond, The New Evangelism (1899)
E. Herman, Creative Prayer (1921)
(A special book from the library of
Eleanor Napier Forde, wife of James D. Newton. Eleanor was an early and strong supporter of the
Oxford Group, is quoted at length in Anne Smith’s journal, and wrote The Guidance of
God, published by the Oxford Group. This Herman book discusses all the prayer and meditation
ideas that were embodied in most Oxford Group literature of the 1920’s and
1930’s—materials studied by Dr. Bob)
C. J. Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soui (1933)
(Both Bill and Bob knew the Carl
Jung-Rowland Hazard story that confirmed conversion as a cure for alcoholism; and Bill later
gave this Jung book to Dr. Bob as a present and inscribed it to Dr. Bob).
Hastings Rashdall, The Idea of Atonement in Christian
Theology (1920)
(A.A. subscribed to the ideas of the
Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. This is a background
book which discusses the contrast between “faith without works” In James and
“justification by faith” in Paul’s writings—also attempting to reconcile the two
and further discussing “love thy neighbor as thyself.”)
Hannah Whithall Smith, The Chrstian’s Secret of a
Happy Life (1870)
(A best-selling classic that was known
to all the early AAs)
Samuel M. Shoemaker, The Church Can Save The World
(1938)
C.Irving Benson, The Eight Points of The Oxford Group
(1936) with added The Way, The Truth, The Life, and Life Changers by
Harold Begbie (1927)
Significance of
Materials
Already, Dick B. has completed and published The
Conversion of Bill W. Dick B. have completed and published Dr. Bob of
Alcoholics Anonymous. Both authors have now made two investigative trips to
Vermont to assemble materials for these books as well as the new The Dick B.
Christian Recovery Guide, addresses already made at three groups of
Conferences in Northern and Southern California, and shortly to become the
subject of further addresses at Palm Springs, Oahu, and again in California.
All this work is being placed on blogs, forums, audio
talks, and articles being published as materials are analyzed and compared.
Members of the new International Christian Recovery Coalition have supported
this work in a number of ways. And completion of the funding and stocking of The
Dr. Bob Core Library is a top priority item. Shortly also, the authors will
publish the long-awaited biography of Dr. Bob that will incorporate information
already placed in The Dr. Bob Core Library, and much that is still in Maui,
being studied, and awaiting funding for its shipment to Vermont.
dickb@dickb.com
