Mail Call for A.A.s at Home and Abroad

IF we stop our A.A. efforts with mere sobriety, we send our garments to be spot cleaned of one spot only, alcoholism in its active form. But on our garments were other spots not removed, such as pride, self-esteem, self-love, laziness and envy. These were the spots we had on our garments when we were on our way to heavy drinking, which resulted in so much misery. If these spots are not removed along with the spot of booze, then the sobered alcoholic is wearing the same dirty raiment that he wore before. If they are not removed he may, and some do, go back to the life these spots help carry him to--booze again. These vices were used in aid of drinking, they must be removed and the opposites in virtue substituted for them. Just spot cleaning will not do the job. All spots must be removed that the garment may be entirely clean.