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March 1973

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

<emphasis type="italic">"There were men like clergyman Sam Shoemaker, whose early teachings did so much to inspire Dr. Bob and me."</emphasis> Bill W. in <emphasis type="italic">AA Comes of Age</emphasis>

At the time of AA's beginning, the Rev. Canon Samuel M. Shoemaker was rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City. He was active in the Oxford Group movement, from which AA derived many of its concepts. His friendship and love inspired our co-founders, and his teaching provided most of the principles embodied in our Twelve Steps.

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