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Others may idle in a retrogressive groove without too much danger, but retrogression can spell death for us.
Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us.
Sometimes this was a tedious process; we hope no one else will be prejudiced for as long as some of us were.
Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom.
In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, with which to overlay the walls of the houses; of gold for the things of gold, and of silver for the things of silver, and for all kinds of work to be made by the hands of artisans.
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
He had commenced our way of life, had secured a position, and was getting his head above water.
They had told of a simple religious idea and a practical program of action.
With many individuals the methods which I employed are successful, but I have never been successful with an alcoholic of your description."* Upon hearing this, our friend was somewhat relieved, for he reflected that, after all, he was a good church member.
Moreover, David and the captains of the army set apart for the service certain of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals: and the number of those who did the work according to their service was: of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asharelah, the sons of Asaph, under the hand of Asaph, who prophesied after the order of the king.
Business failure, insanity, fatal illness, suicide -these calamities in his immediate family embittered and depressed him.
Then he fell victim to a belief which practically every alcoholic has -- that his long period of sobriety and self-discipline had qualified him to drink as other men.
It worked! He had come to pass his experience along to me -- if I cared to have it.
The cheery voice of an old school friend asked if he might come over.
The principles we have set down are guides to progress.
Of course he would have dinner, and then I could drink openly with him.
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