He That Cometh by Geoffrey Allen from 1933 - ODJ
He That Cometh — Geoffrey Allen (First American Edition, January 1933, with Original Dust Jacket)
Author: Geoffrey Allen
Publisher: Harper & Brothers, New York
Publication Year: January 1933
Edition: First American Edition
Binding: Hardcover with original dust jacket
Condition: Excellent — minimal wear; light pencil marks on first page; pages clean and unmarked; dust jacket shows edge wear and small tears (see photos).
Description
Offered here is a First American Edition (January 1933) of He That Cometh by Geoffrey Allen, complete with its original dust jacket. This volume serves as a direct continuation of Allen’s earlier work Tell John, both of which are deeply connected to the early Oxford Group Movement — the spiritual forerunner to Alcoholics Anonymous.
As stated in the publisher’s description:
“This book develops and continues the message given in Tell John. It is written in fellowship with the leaders of the Group Movement, which is winning new converts each day in all parts of the world... He That Cometh is a vigorous interpretation of the life that is in the Oxford Group Movement.”
Published at the height of the Group Movement’s momentum, this work captures the revival spirit of the early 1930s — a period that profoundly influenced both religious thought and the spiritual framework that later shaped Alcoholics Anonymous.
Historical Context
Geoffrey Allen’s He That Cometh reflects the Oxford Group’s emphasis on personal transformation, confession, restitution, and guidance, themes that would later echo throughout early A.A. teachings. Allen’s writing reinterprets the theology of Karl Barth — particularly his ideas of grace and divine encounter — through the lived experience of Group Movement members.
By 1933, the Oxford Group was spreading rapidly across England and the United States, drawing clergy, business leaders, and ordinary men and women into small “house parties” focused on spiritual renewal. He That Cometh was one of the key texts giving intellectual and spiritual structure to that movement, and thus remains a significant link between early 20th-century Christian revivalism and the later rise of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Collector’s Significance
Oxford Group Literature: A foundational text in the Group Movement’s expanding theology, preceding the emergence of A.A. by only two years.
Early Spiritual Influence: Represents the same fellowship ideals and “life-changing” message that shaped A.A.’s founders.
Scarce First American Edition: January 1933 printing with its original dust jacket — seldom found in such fine condition.
Beautifully Preserved Copy: Clean, tight binding; bright lettering; minimal wear for a 90-year-old volume.
Condition
This copy is in very good condition, showing only the lightest wear from age.
Book: Clean, bright, and firmly bound; no torn or missing pages. Small pencil marks on the first page; no other writing or internal markings.
Dust Jacket: Original and present — light edge wear, small tears, and gentle toning; overall very attractive for display.
Please review all photos for exact condition details.
An outstanding example of Geoffrey Allen’s He That Cometh — a pivotal Oxford Group work that bridges the gap between religious revivalism and the spiritual foundation upon which Alcoholics Anonymous was built. A highly desirable title for collectors of early recovery and Group Movement literature.
