AA Grapevine from November 1952 - Tradition Seven

This is the November 1952 issue of the AA Grapevine featuring the Editorial, “A Time for Thanks Giving”, and articles “Doctor Bob ... In Memoriam-And In Thanks”, “The Twelve Traditions - A Grapevine Milestone Report”, “Tradition Seven by Bill”, and much more.

A Time for Thanks Giving…Editorial:

“For AAs, November is a month of Thanksgiving to share as a national holiday (Canada observes its own).

It is a time to recount blessings, to meditate in gratitude for 'fruitful fields and healthful skies,' and to give praise for bounties.

And for AAs, it is by tradition a special time to devote the Thanksgiving meeting to the Twelve Traditions...the principles by which more than 4,000 groups of AA live.

And November is a time of AA thanks in memory of Doctor Bob, co-founder.

Thus there is especially much for us to hold within our hearts this season...as in the Fellowship of our own survival and deliverance 'we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing.'

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Doctor Bob…  In Memoriam-And In Thanks

Two years ago, on November 16th, 1950, R. H. S., died in Akron, Ohio.

It was Thursday, close to noontime, one week before what would have been his 71st Thanksgiving Day.

It was fifteen years and five months after his own last drink...and it was fifteen years and five months in which he had personally ministered as friend and teacher and physician to 5,000 alcoholics.

To each of them he was simply "Doctor Bob." And to history he will be "Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous." And to Bill he is "The Prince of Twelfth Steppers"...and "The Rock Upon Which AA Is Founded" ...and simply "Smitty."

He met death serenely, for he had to the fullest given himself to life. He left the rich gifts of simplicity and love and service.

We who have followed him in The Way Out give him thanks anew for the message he so tirelessly carried. And we think this man who learned true humility would most like the memorial that is still to come... those thousands now sick and despairing who will yet find our way out of dilemma into recovery ...strengthened by the invisible hand of Doctor Bob...“

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Excerpt from article on the Twelve Traditions:

“By late 1946, there seemed to be enough group problems to require some suggested code of relations for groups, one with the other, and with the world outside AA. Acting on the urging of early members, Bill (with Doctor Bob's close counsel) ventured to place in words suggestions to be called "An Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition of Relations-Twelve Points to Assure Our Future."

The first Tradition appeared on the editorial page of The Grapevine. The twelve "Points" ran serially on through 1948, with supporting articles. It was recommended that they be considered as warranting application to group life in the same fashion that the Twelve Steps were applied to individual lives.

Comment from Grapevine readers (there were 6,000 in 1946) was good, and in 1947 Works Publishing, Inc., published the booklet "AA Tradition" with the subtitle: "Our experience has taught us..." This was the so-called long form, and while few AAs found fault with the meaning, many found the presentation clumsy and difficult to remember.

In 1949, group conscience spoke through the voice of Earl T., a pioneer Chicago AA. Visiting with Bill, he voiced the general complaint over the long form, and within an afternoon had helped work out the present short form. They soon took an honored position inside the back cover of The Grapevine, with the Twelve Steps moved up to the inside front cover.”

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This Grapevine is in good condition for its age. There is minor wear around the edges.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.