The Meaning of the Groups edited by F.A.M. Spencer - 1934

The Meaning of the Groups edited by F.A.M. Spencer.

This book is a first printing from 1934.

Preface:

THE Group Movement has been of late one of the more frequent and absorbing topics of conversation. It has, to say the least, aroused no little curiosity, occasional outbursts of scorn and ridicule, but also a hope in not a few that it may help Christendom to a renewal of its faith. My own interest in it made me gladly accept the task and honour of editing this volume.

'Buchmanism’ is what its enemies call it. adherents prefer 'the Groups' or 'the Group.' I have heard an account of the origin of the name, but it made on me no clear or lasting impression. Presumably it signifies the mutual adhesion through frank disclosures of moral and religious intimacies which characterizes the participants in the Movement.

Recently the name 'the Oxford Group' has come into vogue, which was first given in South Africa to a visiting team composed largely of Oxford people. It is an unfortunate designation, since the Movement neither originated in Oxford nor commands an exceptional number of adherents there, and is to many, for rather obvious reasons, gratuitously imitating. There are amusing tales about confusion in the popular mind of the Group Movement with the other religious movement that goes by the name of Oxford, which recently celebrated its centenary in that venerable city. After some hesitation in choosing an adjective, I have adopted 'Groupist from the Bishop of Durham's noteworthy diocesan charge.

I hoped to make the essays of the pro-Groups writers and of the critics balance one another…

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This book is in good condition. There is some wear and stains to the cover. There is no writing or markings inside the book.

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