| Anne Ripley Smith  Page 2
GENERAL PRINCIPLES [From page 2 as numbered by GSO]
1. A general experience of God is the first essential, the beginning. We can't give away what we haven't got. We must have a genuine contact with God in our present experience. Not an experience of the past, but an experience in the present - - - actually genuine.
2. When we have that, witnessing to it is natural, just as we wish to share a beautiful sunset. We must be in such close touch with God that the whole sharing is guided. The person with a genuine experience of God and with no technique will make fewer mistakes than one with lots of technique, and no sense of God. Under guidance, you are almost a spectator of what is happening. Your sharing is not strained, it is not tense.
3. We must clearly see and understand our own experience and carefully articulate it, so as to be ready to know what to say or use parts of it, when the need comes to share with others, in order to help them.
4. Act only on prayer and under guidance. Prayer is real, and prepares the way for people.
5. Share with people - don't preach, don't argue. Don't talk up nor down to people. Talk to them, and share in terms of their own experiences, speak on their level.
6. Proceed with imagination and real faith - expect things to happen. If you EXPECT things to happen, they DO happen. This is based on FAITH IN GOD, not on our own strength. A negative attitude toward ourselves or others cuts off God's power; it is evidence of lack of faith in His power. If you go into a situation admitting defeat, of course you lose.
[Comment: Those who are familiar with A.A.'s Big Book will quickly recognize the large number of ideas in the foregoing half-page of quotes that correspond to language Bill Wilson used in A.A.'s basic text. Thus on pages 18-19 of the Third Edition of A.A.'s Big Book, Bill talks presenting no Holier Than Thou attitude, nor lectures, but rather a sharing of experience. Bill even refers to a Bible expression in saying, many take up their beds and walk again (John 5:8:) Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.). See also, the Big Book's comments about being beyond human aid (p. 24). About the loving and powerful hand of God (p. 18). About contact with that Power, which is God (p. 46). About consciousness of the Presence of God (pp. 51, 63). About AAll men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God (p. 68). About we ask God what we should do about each specific matter (p. 69) About God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. There are many more examples.]
THE FIVE C=S (From page 4, as numbered by GSO) . . . .
3. Conviction. Try to bring a person to a decision to surrender as much of himself as he knows to as much of God as he knows. Stay with him until he makes a decision and says it aloud.
4. Conversion.
This is the turning to God, the decision, the surrender.
WHAT SURRENDER MEANS (From page 42, as numbered by GSO)
Surrender is a complete handing over of our wills to God, a wreckless abandon of ourselves, all that we have, all that we think, that we are, everything we held dear, to God to do what he likes with. . .
[Comment: Again, just look at the Big Book Third Edition: AWe stood at the turning point. We asked His protection and care with complete abandon@ (p. 59). A3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.@ (p. 59)]
A(a) What are the conditions of receiving God=s guidance? (From page 38, as numbered by GSO)
We must be in such relationship with God that He can guide us; He will not force Himself on us. The Sons of God are those who are guided by the Spirit of God. If we are wholly surrendered we can absolutely count on guidance. Constant renewal of consecration is necessary. Surrender is not an attitude attained; it is an attitude maintained. The major condition is being absolutely willing and looking for God's direction in all things. We cannot receive guidance if we hold back an area, an habit, a plan. We must be alert to His direction in Every thing; little things, as well as big ones such as career and marriage.
[Comment: Anne had her eye on passages in the Good Book that were familiar to our pioneer AAs. See 1 Corinthians 1:17-24; 2:9-16; 3:11, 16; 12:3-13; 2 Timothy 1:14; James 1:5-8; 1 John 2:27, 4:1-6, 13; 5:1-5]
A8. LET ALL YOUR READING BE GUIDED (From page 16, as numbered by GSO)
What does God want me to read? A newly surrendered person is like a convalescent after an operation. He needs a carefully balanced diet of nourishing and easily assimilated food. Reading is an essential part of the Christian's diet. It is important that he read that which can be assimilated and will be nourishing. If you do not know what books to read see some one who is surrendered and who is mature in the Groups. Biographies, or stories of changed lives are very helpful for the young Christian. Life Changers by Begbie; Children of the Second Birth Shoemaker; New Lives for Old, Reynolds; For Sinners Only, Russell; Twice Born Men, by Begbie, story of the Salvation Army in London Slums; Twice Born Ministers, Shoemaker; and others.
Books like, He That Cometh, Allen; Conversion of the Church, Shoemaker; all of E. Stanley Jones' books are very good. Some have found Fosdick's little books, The Meaning of Prayer, and The Manhood of the Master helpful. One should by all means read at least one book on the life of Christ a year for a while. More would be better. The Life of Christ, Stalker; Jesus of Nazareth, Barton; The Jesus of History, Glover; The Man Christ Jesus, Speer, are all good. See your ministers for others if you desire. But get those biographies of the Master which bring out his humanity. An understanding of the Cross and its meaning for life is absolutely essential. The best popular interpretation I know is, If I be lifted Up, by Shoemaker. It is a group of lenten sermons. Christ ought to be as real to us as our nearest and best friend.
Of course the Bible ought to be the main Source Book of all. No day ought to pass without reading in it. Read until some passage comes that hits you. Then pause and meditate over its meaning for your life. Begin reading the Bible with the Book of Acts and follow up with the Gospels and then the Epistles of Paul. Let Revelation alone for a while. The Psalms ought also be read and the Prophets. (continued on next page)   
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