Ernie Gerig 22y 1961 , at Chicago Il DOS 05 1939

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1. 

   bill_d89 on May 10, 2019 at 9:09 pm

   This is an AA pioneer, perhaps one of the ‘First 100 Sober AAs’ and almost certainly ‘the continuously sober.’ A staunch Big Book guy, he emphasizes God. NO Oxford Group history, claims he read Big Red in hospital May 1939? which is unlikely.

   His story/memory has polished out historical details, as 20 yrs time will do.

   “Ernie” may not be Ernest: uncertain identification. Akron 226 List has Ernest Gehrig in Toledo, OH a city of 280,000, inconsistent with story; he moved? The Akron 226 List (c.April 1940) identifies “Lee Gerig” of Creston OH (1940 population 1,100). Leland S. Gerig (1906-1967) is too young but has a sibling: GLEN Clarence Gerig (1895-1971) married to Ruth Alberta Good Gerig (1906-64). Glen was Age 26 in 1921, inconsistent with “12yrs drinking” (to 1933, not 1939); more info needed. Cousins?

   1:38 12yrs of drinking, at Age 26 (first drink)
   3:35 credits Good Lord
   3:47 Went to Akron, called on Dr. (Bob)
   4:40 put in hospital sober, didnt need meds or alcohol
   5:15 alkies visited and told stories;
   5:40 Dr. Bob visited to check up, Ernie didn’t identify
   6:25 Dr. Bob drank 35yrs, last 10 got bad
   6:40 Dr. Bob handed him the Big Book, left him to take personal inventory
   7:00 Ernie was looking for a way out
   7:35 he decided to test himself: envious, intolerant, confused, selfish, out-of-balance
   8:36 First Step
   9:00 goes through beginning Steps; accepts God (was believer)
   9:55 Step 3
   10:33 Dr. Bob “We need a daily program, ask God daily”
   10:50 Bob said to read The Upper Room every day
   11:15 Bob said help other people: “town of 1,200 people”; helped another at 4 mo?
   11:45 Bob said come to meetg every week, for help
   12:30 to the extent you do these 3 suggestions you will be relieved: “start giving and you will receive smthg”
   12:45 at 6mo Ernie was sober: longest sobriety in 12yrs.
   13:15 Relieved at 6mo, grateful and thanked God
   14:25 confronts those who struggle w/ ‘spiritual part of program’
   15:20 desire to learn more! re-reading BB
   15:50 BB founded on {New Testament} Sermon on the Mount & Book of James, written for common man {Error! Not true.}
   17:25 don’t remember failures
   18:20 Key to continuous sobriety is Step 11
   19:15 ecstasy when Step 11 is thoroughly understood, realization of Oneness w/ God
   19:40 the Greatest Spiritual Law is serving mankind
   19:50 “my purpose is to find my relationship with God”
   21:10 “I know if I do these things I’m going to find a spiritual understanding; and I’m not concerned about the drinking”; Service
   21:45 “I want to remember my purpose, what my life on earth is for”
   22:20 “We cant get rid of worry by putting smthg POSITIVE in its place”
   22:30 Get better with positive thinking and action: sincerity, balance & spiritual laws
   23:30 ‘Abandon yourself to God …’

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     Admin on May 25, 2019 at 10:16 am

     Tag updated, thanks Bill!

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