Bill W's Last Message....

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Presented at

The New York

Intergroup

Association

annual dinner,

Oct 10, 1970.

in honor of Bill's upcoming 36th anniversary, Dec. 11, 1970.

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My dear friends,

Recently an A.A. member sent me an unusual greeting which
I would like to extend to you He told me it was an ancient
Arabian salutation. Perhaps we have no Arabic groups, but it
still seems a fitting expression of how I feel for each of you.
It says, "I salute you and thank you for your life."



My thoughts are much occupied these days with gratitude
to our Fellowship and for the myriad blessings bestowed
upon us by God's Grace.



If I were asked which of these blessings I felt was most
responsible for our growth as a fellowship and most vital
to our continuity, I would say, the "Concept of Anonymity."



Anonymity has two attributes essential to our individual
and collective survival; the spiritual and the practical.



On the spiritual level, anonymity demands the greatest
discipline of which we are capable; on the practical level,
anonymity has brought protection for the newcomer, respect
and support of the world outside, and security from those
of us who would use A.A. for sick and selfish purposes.



A.A. must and will continue to change with the passing years.
We cannot, nor should we turn back the clock. However, I deeply
believe that the principle of anonymity must remain our primary
and enduring safeguard. As long as we accept our sobriety in
our traditional spirit of anonymity we will continue to receive
God's Grace.



And so -- once more, I salute you in that spirit and again

I thank you for your lives.



May God bless us all now, and forever.

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