dickb
02-14-2009, 02:32 AM
Review of Clarence Henry Snyder’s Holy Bible
Dick B.
© 2009. Anonymous
[Preliminary acknowledgement and comments about the source of this Bible: First, my son Ken and I have been working with Ken R., an AA from Alabama, in reviewing and editing the introduction to his forthcoming “Holy Grail”—the actual Printers Manuscript of the Big Book which Ken purchased at auction for almost a million dollars. Second, during our editing work, Ken purchased the Clarence Snyder Bible from a dealer; and the dealer had acquired it from Ohio Old-timer Ed Andy who had the Bible in his museum in Lorain, Ohio. Ed Andy was a good friend of Clarence’s, one of the early AAs, and established what Ed called “the first” A.A. museum. I personally participated in a phone conversation with Ed in which he confirmed that early AAs were required to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour before they could belong to the pioneer Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded on June 10, 1935. We were told Ed served as a consultant in the filming of the Bill W. story a few years ago. We were also told the Bible was given to Ed at the time of Clarence’s death. Finally, learning of my own extensive involvement with the history, activities, papers, and retreats of the venerable A.A. old-timer Clarence H. Snyder, Ken graciously sent to the Bible to me for review and such purpose as I might see fit. Now, that review has been completed in this draft form; and the Bible is being returned to Ken, its rightful owner. This preliminary note expresses great appreciation to Ken for acquiring the Bible, sending it to professionals for preservation work, and then allowing us to have it in our possession for this work of review. His generous sharing will come as a boon to hundreds, if not thousands, who want to know more about Clarence H. Snyder, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio. Also about Clarence’s being a Christian from birth, being a long-time Bible student, and one who used the Bible, the Oxford Group 4 Absolutes, the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps to make early A.A. sing and grow in Cleveland beginning in May, 1939 just after the Big Book was published.]
The Bible Itself
The first page of the Bible contains these inscriptions:
This Bible was presented to Clarence Henry Snyder by His Mother on His Sixth Birthday which is today the 26th day of December 1908 at 1280 E. 89th St. Cleveland Ohio.
Clarence Henry was Baptised with Water of the River of Jordan by Rev. Charles Bayard Mitchell of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Euclid Avenue Cleveland O. at 1280 E. 89th on Sunday Jan’y Fourth, 1903.
The title page states it is “The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, appointed to be read in churches.” (New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons). It contains two inscriptions. One is in blue ink and states “Acts 16-31 (You & house).” The second is in red ink and states “Satan’s Rebellion Isaiah 14 Ezekiel 28. On the reverse side, there are a number of remarks and citations which include the following: (1) “Confess Repent Cast Out Obey.” (2) “Malachi 3 – 10” [In the Bible on page 598 in the Book of Malachi, Clarence wrote in Red ink: “Read 5/7/76 I shall pour you out a blessing!”]. (3) Luke 24 – 47 [the verse is checked in the Bible]. (4) Acts 2:38 [the verse is underlined in red in the Bible]. (5) Ps. Chapt. 32 & 51. (6) Some of the page is torn, but the legible inscriptions are these: (7) “Mark 11:23 [This is the ‘faith to move mountains’ verse, and is checked in the verse itself]. (8) “Break the curse Quote the Word to the illness or Satan.” (9) Luke 4 -18, John 20 - 21 [The entire chapter is checked and so is verse 21 - ‘Peace be unto you’]. (10) Mark 16 – 14, 15, 16 [the verses are checked in the Bible]. (11) Matthew 28 – 19, 20. (12) “Praise God. Ps. 149-150” [Both chapters are marked in the Bible]. (13) “John 15 – 7 [‘Abide in me’].
The general contents: (1) The names and order of the books of the Old and New Testament. (2) The Books of the Old Testament – with center column references. (3) “The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (4) “The Concise Bible Dictionary. . . Together with A New Concordance to the Authorized and Revised Versions, Combined with a Subject-Index and Pronouncing Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names and A New Indexed Bible Atlas” (5) A last cover page which has been removed. (6) A back cover containing a gold sticker stating “Edward R. Andy 1146 W. 9th St., Lorain, OH 44052.”
The Check Marks, Brackets, Underlining, and Occasional Comments
Throughout the Bible, various verses have a check mark next to them. Also, a number of chapters have a check mark next to them. Occasionally entire segments are surrounded by brackets. Occasionally entire verses or groups of verses are surrounded by brackets. And, from time to time, there are inscribed remarks by Clarence. The check marks, brackets, underlining, and remarks are in a number of different writing forms—sometimes red, sometimes black, and sometimes other colors.
Authenticating Personal Helps
Over the last twenty years of researching, interviewing, traveling, collecting, questioning, analyzing, writing, and publishing the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been blessed to have a good many personal connections with those persons, writers, collectors, and sponsees who knew Clarence H. Snyder best. As a consequence, from Clarence’s own writings which I have seen, from the foregoing people themselves, and in the process of writing and reviewing or editing three separate books on Clarence, I have been able to piece together a firm foundation and familiarity with what the Bible meant to Clarence Snyder. This information came from my own knowledge of A.A. history, remarks and writings by Clarence and others, the documents themselves, my familiarity with how the Bible was regarded, studied, and used by the Akron pioneers—Dr. Bob, Anne Smith, Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace Williams, Clarence and his first wife Dorothy—and my own analysis of the role of the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.
Here are some personal sources that have made the Clarence Snyder Bible come alive for me as an aid to understanding the early A.A. program, its Christian Fellowship, its stress on the Bible, its simple principles and practices, its literature and devotionals, and ultimately such of the ideas as found their way into the Big Book and Twelve Steps.
First, I have come to know personally and well the following sponsees of Clarence Snyder (and in many cases their spouses): Grace Snyder, Dale Morfitt, Steve Foreman, Jack Rapp, Berry W., and Mitchell K. Also, those close to Clarence that I met at or communicated with through the Snyder retreats where I spoke: Dick S., John S., Cathy, Danny W., Grace’s son Duke, Clarence’s son Dick, and Clarence’s long-time friend Ed Andy. I have heard many of them tell me about what Clarence did and believed. I have listened to and seen Clarence Snyder video talks. I have reviewed almost all of the Clarence Snyder papers that were given to Mitchell K. by Grace Snyder after Clarence’s death. And the end result is a pretty solid knowledge of how Clarence used, spoke about, taught about, studied, and believed throughout his life about our Creator, His son Jesus Christ, and the Bible. It is therefore in that backdrop that I found this actual Bible—over 100 years old--so interesting and challenging. Particularly since I now know how Dr. Bob and Anne and Henrietta regarded the Bible, the Book of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13.
Second, the seven principal sources as to what Clarence did with his Bible are these:
DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. When Niles Peebles was gathering material for this A.A. book, Niles interviewed Clarence and Dorothy, as well as the Smith children. And Niles quotes Clarence extensively in this “Conference-approved” book. Even more important, I have now acquired the manuscript copy of the Peebles pre-publication manuscript which contains a good deal of material that has been omitted in the official publication and yet contains a mound of data.
How It Worked, by Mitchell K. Mitch was sponsored by Clarence, is a Christian and Bible student, and a long-time A.A. When Clarence died, Mitch obtained all of Clarence’s papers from the widow Grace Snyder. He promised a biography of Clarence; and after many years, the work was complete. And it is filled with facts about Clarence and A.A. I saw Mitch’s Clarence Snyder papers and assisted in editing Mitch’s book.
That Amazing Grace, by Dick B. After meeting and getting to know Clarence’s third wife Grace at several Snyder retreats, I was blessed to be invited to her home in Florida. My son Ken and I spent a week interviewing her and reviewing such papers and recollections as she had. The resultant Amazing Grace book contains a great deal of information about Clarence, his Christian beliefs, his Bible knowledge, his teaching, and how he took AAs through the Twelve Steps and Big Book throughout the years.
In Florida, Clarence sponsored four men who called themselves the Four Horsemen. They were Steve F., Dick S., Jack R., and John S. All have participated extensively in the Snyder retreats before and after Clarence died. And finally, these men gathered together from Clarence himself materials he had written and views he had expressed. And they published two booklets, Going Through the Steps” and My Higher Power the Light Bulb” The material was approved by Clarence. These two classic Clarence pieces are still available through Steve F. in Winter Park, Florida.
Finally, about 2005, three of Clarence’s sponsees—men who had served as shepherds of
his retreats, been blessed by his inspiration, and been taught Clarence’s views as to how to meld the Bible, the Four Absolutes, the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps into a continuing force for helping the alcoholic who still suffered—undertook a lasting task. The men—Dale Morfitt, Steve F., and Jack Rapp—worked for more than a year sharing what they had learned from Clarence, presenting the way that Clarence had taken folks through the Steps, and memorializing his beliefs and his method of conducting spiritual retreats. These retreats still gather in all parts of the United States and Great Britain today. Their book is Our A.A. Legacy to the Faith Community: A Twelve-Step Guide for Those Who Want to Believe, by Three Clarence Snyder Sponsee Old-timers and Their Wives, Compiled and Edited by Dick B.
And now we have this Clarence Snyder Bible which truly highlights the ideas and beliefs that Clarence held about “Divine Aid” for the alcoholic who suffers. It documents the ideas that others have stated and written about his efforts.
Finally, the spiritual retreats for AAs and their families continue and grow to this day. It was at these retreats that I was asked and honored to speak about our history. It was at these retreats that I met scores of devoted AAs and their family members who gathered together at their respective area retreats about twice a year. There I met many Clarence Snyder sponsees and their families. There I met Grace Snyder. And there I saw the Clarence Snyder approaches still effective and in action.
A Brief Look at the Books that Arrested Clarence’s Greatest Attention
[Note: I have summarized the materials, partly quoted some of the marked verses, and quoted the inked writings of Clarence. I believe the following cover almost every item that Clarence marked.]
Genesis: “Tithes” and tithing verses were often marked
Leviticus: Tithing verses again.
Numbers: Tithing verses again.
Deuteronomy: (1) The commandments in Chapter 5 are bracketed. (2) Tithe verses in Chapter 12, 14, 26, 28. (3) The feasts of the unleavened bread, weeks, and tabernacles. (4) A penciled notation above Chapter 28 about the head of the house.
2 Chronicles: Chapter 31 is specially checked, and the parts dealing with the breaking down of images and groves, and the giving of tithes.
Nehemiah: A tithing verse.
The Book of Psalms [heavily marked, underlined, and annotated]: (1) Psalm 23 [“The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.”]. (2) Psalm 27 [“The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear.” (3) Psalm 46 [“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”]. (4) Psalm 51 [“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness.”]. (5) Psalm 62 [“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”] (6) Psalm 73. (7) Psalm 91 [“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”]. (8) Psalm 105:37 [“. . . and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”] (9) Psalm 116:9. (10) Psalm 149 [“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of the saints.”] (11) Psalm 150 [“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.”].
The Proverbs: [This book is the most annotated and marked and underlined book thus far]. It begins with an inked reference to John 15:7 and the statement “Principal of Submission – Proverbs 4:20, 21, 22.” There is also a heavily marked reference to these underlined verses with the notation: “Prayer for healing. Memorize.” (1) Proverbs 1. (2) Proverbs 4: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
(3) Proverbs 5:19 [“A false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren.”]. (4) Almost every verse is marked or checked in Proverbs Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.
The Book of the Prophet Isaiah: (1) Isaiah 9:6-7 [“For unto us a child is born. . . Wonderful, Counsellor. . .” (2) Isaiah 19:18. (3) Isaiah 40:21 [“Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning?” referring to the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth.]. (4) Isaiah 44:22 [“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return to me: for I have redeemed thee.”]. (5) Isaiah 51:11 [“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion.”]. (6) Isaiah 53:5 [“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.”].
The Book of Daniel: 2:21 [“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he given wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”]
Malachi: In red ink Clarence wrote: “READ 5/6/76. I shall pour you out a blessing!.
Matthew: [Clarence seemed to dive into this Gospel in many ways: green highlights, red check marks, black ink check marks, annotation comments—with particular attention to the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew 5, 6, 7]. (1) Matthew 3:16-17 [“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightaway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2) Matthew 4:17-18 [“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”]. (3) Matthew 5:1-11 [all the Beatitudes are checked]. (4) Matthew 5:16-20 [“Let your light so shine. . . whosoever shall do and teach them [one of the commandments] the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”] (5) Matthew 5:23 [condemning anger]. (6) Matthew 5:23-26 [the verses that provided a foundation for the restitution Steps 8 and 9]. (7) Matthew 5:29-30 [the verses that formed the foundation of the “absolute” of purity.] (8) Matthew 5:38-44 [“Love your enemies.”] (9) Matthew 6:1-8 [the so-called “anonymity” comments about praying in secret, giving alms in secret, etc.]. (10) Matthew 6:-9-13 [the “Lord’s Prayer” specially marked (11) Matthew 6:19-34 [“seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”. . . . the verses which Dr. Bob explained to Clarence were the foundation for the slogans “First things first” and “Easy does it.”] (12) Matthew 7:1-5 [looking for the log in your own eye—the verses that formed the foundation for Step 4] (13) Matthew 7:-11 [“Ask and ye shall receive”] (14) Matthew 7:12 [the “golden rule”]. (15) Matthew 7:15-20 [“by their fruits ye shall know them”]. (16) Matthew 7:21-29 [“Not every one that saith unto me ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (17) Matthew 8:15 [“he cast out the spirits with his word.”] (18) Matthew 8:26 [“O ye of little faith”] (19) Matthew 9:10-12 [“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (20) Matthew 9:29 [“According to your faith be it unto you.”] (21) Matthew 9:36-38 [“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”] (22) Matthew 10:7-8 [“And as ye go, preach, saying ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (23) Matthew 10:22 [“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (24) Matthew 10:31-39. (25) Matthew 10:28-30 [“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”] (26) Matthew 12. (27) Matthew 13 [the Parable of the Sower] (27) Matthew 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 [All verses emphasized with the written notation “Unforgiveness –causes illnesses” (28) Matthew 19:26 [“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”] (28) Matthew 20:25-28 [“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”—a favorite quote of Dr. Bob’s] (29) Matthew 21:22 [“And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”] (30) Matthew 22:35-39 [the two great commandments—love God, love your neighbor.] (31) Matthew 23, 24. (32) Matthew 25:41 [“Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”] (33) Matthew 26:39-42 [“nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. . . . thy will be done.”] (34) Matthew 28 [the so-called “great commission”].
Mark: (1) Mark 7:21-23 [“For from within, out o the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All theses evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (2) Mark 8:34 [“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”] (3) Mark 9:17-30 [the healing o the man with a dumb spirit – “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”]. (4) Mark 11:23 [“whosever shall say unto this mountain Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea: and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”] (5) Mark 12:28-34 [the two great commandments]. (6) Mark 13:22 [“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”] (7) Mark 16:15-20 [“Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. . . And these signs shall follow them that believe”]
Luke: (1) Luke 11:7-13 [“Ask, and it shall be given you:”] (2) Luke 11:24 {the unclean spirit that is gone, walketh through dry places, and returns, and brings back seven other spirits more wicked”]. (3) Luke 12:34 [“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”] (4) Luke 15::10 [“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and het that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (5) Luke 24:47 [“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”].
John: (1) John 3 [the entire chapter on the new birth, John 3:16, and other familiar verses on believing on Jesus.]. (2) John 10 [Jesus as the Door, with Clarence’s notation “Bible qualifications for being a Shepherd.”]. (3) John 24:1-6 [“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by me.” Clarence penned the note, “Prayer for healing. Learn word of God.”] (4) John 15:7. (5) John 17 – all of the chapter. (6) John 20:21 [“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”]
Acts: (1) Acts 1 3 [“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”] (2) Acts 2:47 [“Praising God, having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”] (3) Acts 3:6-8 [“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”] (4) Acts 6:2-3 [“It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”] (5) Acts 10:44-48 [Clarence wrote: “Peter. The household of Cornelius received Baptism of the Holy Spirit before water baptism. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. . . on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”] (6) Acts 16:30-31 [(the keeper of the prison said) “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”].
Romans: (1) Romans 1:21 [“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”] (2) Romans 6:23 [“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”]. (3) Romans 8 [The entire chapter is checked twice, underlined in red, and Clarence wrote in red, “Praise God it was pre-ordained.” Romans 8:28 was bracketed and underlined in blue: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”] (4) Romans 12 [The entire chapter is bracketed].
1 Corinthians: (1) 1 Corinthians 2:26-28 [“how that many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”] (2) 1 Corinthians 3:16 [“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”] (3) 1 Corinthians 5:9 [“ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators.” Clarence wrote in red ink, “This Epistle was apparently lost.”] (4) 1 Corinthians 11:23 [“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread” This is part of the “communion” verses. (5) 1 Corinthians 12:13 [“For by one Spirit are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”. (6) 1 Corinthians 13 [The entire chapter is checked.].
2 Corinthians: (1) Chapter 10 [The entire chapter is checked. Clarence wrote in red ink, “Do not be critical of another man’s ministry.” (2) 2 Corinthians10:5 – “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”] (3) 2 Corinthians 11:4 [“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (4) 2 Corinthians 11:11-15 [“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (5) 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [All these verses are checked in red, underlined in red, and bracketed in red.
Galatians: (1) Galatians 2:19-21 [“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”]
Ephesians: (1) The beginning pages of this chapter are ringed with red ink comments by Clarence [These are the remarks: “1976 is the church year.” “Once the word gets into your heart there is no power on earth that can keep it from coming to pass.” “Every Scripture has the power in it to bring itself to pass.” “But will never bring itself to pass without we learn it in our heart.” (2) Ephesians 3:20 [“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or thin, according to the power that worketh in us.”]. (3) Ephesians 5:26 [“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”].
Philippians: There is an penciled notation at the top that I cannot read..
1 Timothy: (1) 1 Timothy 1:15 [“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.”] (2) 1 Timothy 2:1-2 [“I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: For kings, and for all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” In red ink, Clarence wrote: “Pray for those in government and authority.” (3) 1 Timothy 5 [The entire chapter is bracketed and underlined in red.”]. (4) 1 Timothy 6:10 [“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”].
Titus: Titus (1) 1:2-5 [“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. That aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”] (2) Titus 3:1 [“Put them in mind to be subject to the principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.”]
Hebrews: (1) Hebrews 3:9 [“When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”] (2) Hebrews 7:5-9 [Verses on tithing] (3) Hebrews 11:6 [“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”]
James: (1) James 1:22 [“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”]. (2) James 1:26 [“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”]. (3) James 2 [This chapter is heavily marked. It deals with avoiding respect of persons]. (4) James 1:10: [“For whosever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”] (5) James 2:14: [“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man that he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him.” (6) James 2:16-26: The many verses illustrating the meaning of faith without works is dead] (7) James 4:17 [“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”]
1 Peter: (1) The book begins with a red ink date of 5/5/76. (2) 1 Peter 1:1-8 [This chapter is checked in red, and the first 8 verses are bracketed in red and also in blue.]. (3) 1 Peter 2:13-17 [“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme. . .”] (4) 1 Peter 4:12-19 [“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (5) 1 Peter 2:24 [“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”].
1 John: (1) 1 John 1:8 [“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”] (2) 1 John 2:15-17 [“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”]
Revelation: (1) Revelation 3:20 [“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”] (2) Revelation 4:11 [“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”] (3) Revelation 21:8 [“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and *****mongers, and sorcerers and idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”].
Some Tentative Personal Observations
In the last twenty years, I have spent a good deal of time in the company of two of Clarence’s sponsees and their wives. I also spent a good deal of time with Grace Snyder before she died. Also, conversing with Mitch K. and Danny W. (who was sponsored by Grace). And, in the process of listening to their comments about Clarence and looking at their writing, I came to several conclusions which this Bible fortifies.
First, Clarence was a professing and practicing Christian from his earliest years. His many markings of John 3 and the verses about believing on Jesus indicate this. Clarence also believed in God, and his marking of Hebrews 11:6 supported this conviction.
Second, Clarence believed strongly in healing by the power of God. Several of his sponsees declared they were healed of serious problems as Clarence and Grace prayed for their recovery.
Third, Clarence believed in the integrity of the Word of God and in the importance of learning it and obeying it. This certainly included his underlining the verses specifying sinful conduct.
Fourth, he was an advocate of the power of prayer and the importance of doing it.
Fifth, like Dr. Bob and the Akron pioneers, he placed great emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. He marked the very verses which formed the foundation for such Step ideas as “Thy will be done;” the personal inventory; confession; conviction; conversion; restitution; witnessing; and practicing Christian principles.
Sixth, he placed great store in the redemption that Christ’s sacrifice made available to believers.
Seventh, he also pointed specifically to the importance of the Ten Commandments; the two Great Commandments; and the sayings in the Beatitude.
Eighth, he stressed the power of God.
There is more, and more will be covered as study continues. I sincerely wish that other AAs were given the opportunity to review carefully Dr. Bob’s Bible, Anne Smith’s Bible, and T. Henry’s Bible. I had this privilege as to Anne Smith’s actual journal and other original documents such as the Amos reports, Bill Wilson’s actual manuscripts at Stepping Stones. And there is no substitute for the truth that can be found in the actual writings of the founders and pioneers.
Gloria Deo
dickb@dickb.com
:195:
Dick B.
© 2009. Anonymous
[Preliminary acknowledgement and comments about the source of this Bible: First, my son Ken and I have been working with Ken R., an AA from Alabama, in reviewing and editing the introduction to his forthcoming “Holy Grail”—the actual Printers Manuscript of the Big Book which Ken purchased at auction for almost a million dollars. Second, during our editing work, Ken purchased the Clarence Snyder Bible from a dealer; and the dealer had acquired it from Ohio Old-timer Ed Andy who had the Bible in his museum in Lorain, Ohio. Ed Andy was a good friend of Clarence’s, one of the early AAs, and established what Ed called “the first” A.A. museum. I personally participated in a phone conversation with Ed in which he confirmed that early AAs were required to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour before they could belong to the pioneer Akron A.A. Christian Fellowship founded on June 10, 1935. We were told Ed served as a consultant in the filming of the Bill W. story a few years ago. We were also told the Bible was given to Ed at the time of Clarence’s death. Finally, learning of my own extensive involvement with the history, activities, papers, and retreats of the venerable A.A. old-timer Clarence H. Snyder, Ken graciously sent to the Bible to me for review and such purpose as I might see fit. Now, that review has been completed in this draft form; and the Bible is being returned to Ken, its rightful owner. This preliminary note expresses great appreciation to Ken for acquiring the Bible, sending it to professionals for preservation work, and then allowing us to have it in our possession for this work of review. His generous sharing will come as a boon to hundreds, if not thousands, who want to know more about Clarence H. Snyder, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio. Also about Clarence’s being a Christian from birth, being a long-time Bible student, and one who used the Bible, the Oxford Group 4 Absolutes, the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps to make early A.A. sing and grow in Cleveland beginning in May, 1939 just after the Big Book was published.]
The Bible Itself
The first page of the Bible contains these inscriptions:
This Bible was presented to Clarence Henry Snyder by His Mother on His Sixth Birthday which is today the 26th day of December 1908 at 1280 E. 89th St. Cleveland Ohio.
Clarence Henry was Baptised with Water of the River of Jordan by Rev. Charles Bayard Mitchell of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Euclid Avenue Cleveland O. at 1280 E. 89th on Sunday Jan’y Fourth, 1903.
The title page states it is “The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, appointed to be read in churches.” (New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons). It contains two inscriptions. One is in blue ink and states “Acts 16-31 (You & house).” The second is in red ink and states “Satan’s Rebellion Isaiah 14 Ezekiel 28. On the reverse side, there are a number of remarks and citations which include the following: (1) “Confess Repent Cast Out Obey.” (2) “Malachi 3 – 10” [In the Bible on page 598 in the Book of Malachi, Clarence wrote in Red ink: “Read 5/7/76 I shall pour you out a blessing!”]. (3) Luke 24 – 47 [the verse is checked in the Bible]. (4) Acts 2:38 [the verse is underlined in red in the Bible]. (5) Ps. Chapt. 32 & 51. (6) Some of the page is torn, but the legible inscriptions are these: (7) “Mark 11:23 [This is the ‘faith to move mountains’ verse, and is checked in the verse itself]. (8) “Break the curse Quote the Word to the illness or Satan.” (9) Luke 4 -18, John 20 - 21 [The entire chapter is checked and so is verse 21 - ‘Peace be unto you’]. (10) Mark 16 – 14, 15, 16 [the verses are checked in the Bible]. (11) Matthew 28 – 19, 20. (12) “Praise God. Ps. 149-150” [Both chapters are marked in the Bible]. (13) “John 15 – 7 [‘Abide in me’].
The general contents: (1) The names and order of the books of the Old and New Testament. (2) The Books of the Old Testament – with center column references. (3) “The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (4) “The Concise Bible Dictionary. . . Together with A New Concordance to the Authorized and Revised Versions, Combined with a Subject-Index and Pronouncing Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names and A New Indexed Bible Atlas” (5) A last cover page which has been removed. (6) A back cover containing a gold sticker stating “Edward R. Andy 1146 W. 9th St., Lorain, OH 44052.”
The Check Marks, Brackets, Underlining, and Occasional Comments
Throughout the Bible, various verses have a check mark next to them. Also, a number of chapters have a check mark next to them. Occasionally entire segments are surrounded by brackets. Occasionally entire verses or groups of verses are surrounded by brackets. And, from time to time, there are inscribed remarks by Clarence. The check marks, brackets, underlining, and remarks are in a number of different writing forms—sometimes red, sometimes black, and sometimes other colors.
Authenticating Personal Helps
Over the last twenty years of researching, interviewing, traveling, collecting, questioning, analyzing, writing, and publishing the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been blessed to have a good many personal connections with those persons, writers, collectors, and sponsees who knew Clarence H. Snyder best. As a consequence, from Clarence’s own writings which I have seen, from the foregoing people themselves, and in the process of writing and reviewing or editing three separate books on Clarence, I have been able to piece together a firm foundation and familiarity with what the Bible meant to Clarence Snyder. This information came from my own knowledge of A.A. history, remarks and writings by Clarence and others, the documents themselves, my familiarity with how the Bible was regarded, studied, and used by the Akron pioneers—Dr. Bob, Anne Smith, Henrietta Seiberling, T. Henry and Clarace Williams, Clarence and his first wife Dorothy—and my own analysis of the role of the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.
Here are some personal sources that have made the Clarence Snyder Bible come alive for me as an aid to understanding the early A.A. program, its Christian Fellowship, its stress on the Bible, its simple principles and practices, its literature and devotionals, and ultimately such of the ideas as found their way into the Big Book and Twelve Steps.
First, I have come to know personally and well the following sponsees of Clarence Snyder (and in many cases their spouses): Grace Snyder, Dale Morfitt, Steve Foreman, Jack Rapp, Berry W., and Mitchell K. Also, those close to Clarence that I met at or communicated with through the Snyder retreats where I spoke: Dick S., John S., Cathy, Danny W., Grace’s son Duke, Clarence’s son Dick, and Clarence’s long-time friend Ed Andy. I have heard many of them tell me about what Clarence did and believed. I have listened to and seen Clarence Snyder video talks. I have reviewed almost all of the Clarence Snyder papers that were given to Mitchell K. by Grace Snyder after Clarence’s death. And the end result is a pretty solid knowledge of how Clarence used, spoke about, taught about, studied, and believed throughout his life about our Creator, His son Jesus Christ, and the Bible. It is therefore in that backdrop that I found this actual Bible—over 100 years old--so interesting and challenging. Particularly since I now know how Dr. Bob and Anne and Henrietta regarded the Bible, the Book of James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13.
Second, the seven principal sources as to what Clarence did with his Bible are these:
DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. When Niles Peebles was gathering material for this A.A. book, Niles interviewed Clarence and Dorothy, as well as the Smith children. And Niles quotes Clarence extensively in this “Conference-approved” book. Even more important, I have now acquired the manuscript copy of the Peebles pre-publication manuscript which contains a good deal of material that has been omitted in the official publication and yet contains a mound of data.
How It Worked, by Mitchell K. Mitch was sponsored by Clarence, is a Christian and Bible student, and a long-time A.A. When Clarence died, Mitch obtained all of Clarence’s papers from the widow Grace Snyder. He promised a biography of Clarence; and after many years, the work was complete. And it is filled with facts about Clarence and A.A. I saw Mitch’s Clarence Snyder papers and assisted in editing Mitch’s book.
That Amazing Grace, by Dick B. After meeting and getting to know Clarence’s third wife Grace at several Snyder retreats, I was blessed to be invited to her home in Florida. My son Ken and I spent a week interviewing her and reviewing such papers and recollections as she had. The resultant Amazing Grace book contains a great deal of information about Clarence, his Christian beliefs, his Bible knowledge, his teaching, and how he took AAs through the Twelve Steps and Big Book throughout the years.
In Florida, Clarence sponsored four men who called themselves the Four Horsemen. They were Steve F., Dick S., Jack R., and John S. All have participated extensively in the Snyder retreats before and after Clarence died. And finally, these men gathered together from Clarence himself materials he had written and views he had expressed. And they published two booklets, Going Through the Steps” and My Higher Power the Light Bulb” The material was approved by Clarence. These two classic Clarence pieces are still available through Steve F. in Winter Park, Florida.
Finally, about 2005, three of Clarence’s sponsees—men who had served as shepherds of
his retreats, been blessed by his inspiration, and been taught Clarence’s views as to how to meld the Bible, the Four Absolutes, the Big Book, and the Twelve Steps into a continuing force for helping the alcoholic who still suffered—undertook a lasting task. The men—Dale Morfitt, Steve F., and Jack Rapp—worked for more than a year sharing what they had learned from Clarence, presenting the way that Clarence had taken folks through the Steps, and memorializing his beliefs and his method of conducting spiritual retreats. These retreats still gather in all parts of the United States and Great Britain today. Their book is Our A.A. Legacy to the Faith Community: A Twelve-Step Guide for Those Who Want to Believe, by Three Clarence Snyder Sponsee Old-timers and Their Wives, Compiled and Edited by Dick B.
And now we have this Clarence Snyder Bible which truly highlights the ideas and beliefs that Clarence held about “Divine Aid” for the alcoholic who suffers. It documents the ideas that others have stated and written about his efforts.
Finally, the spiritual retreats for AAs and their families continue and grow to this day. It was at these retreats that I was asked and honored to speak about our history. It was at these retreats that I met scores of devoted AAs and their family members who gathered together at their respective area retreats about twice a year. There I met many Clarence Snyder sponsees and their families. There I met Grace Snyder. And there I saw the Clarence Snyder approaches still effective and in action.
A Brief Look at the Books that Arrested Clarence’s Greatest Attention
[Note: I have summarized the materials, partly quoted some of the marked verses, and quoted the inked writings of Clarence. I believe the following cover almost every item that Clarence marked.]
Genesis: “Tithes” and tithing verses were often marked
Leviticus: Tithing verses again.
Numbers: Tithing verses again.
Deuteronomy: (1) The commandments in Chapter 5 are bracketed. (2) Tithe verses in Chapter 12, 14, 26, 28. (3) The feasts of the unleavened bread, weeks, and tabernacles. (4) A penciled notation above Chapter 28 about the head of the house.
2 Chronicles: Chapter 31 is specially checked, and the parts dealing with the breaking down of images and groves, and the giving of tithes.
Nehemiah: A tithing verse.
The Book of Psalms [heavily marked, underlined, and annotated]: (1) Psalm 23 [“The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.”]. (2) Psalm 27 [“The LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear.” (3) Psalm 46 [“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”]. (4) Psalm 51 [“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness.”]. (5) Psalm 62 [“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.”] (6) Psalm 73. (7) Psalm 91 [“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”]. (8) Psalm 105:37 [“. . . and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”] (9) Psalm 116:9. (10) Psalm 149 [“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of the saints.”] (11) Psalm 150 [“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.”].
The Proverbs: [This book is the most annotated and marked and underlined book thus far]. It begins with an inked reference to John 15:7 and the statement “Principal of Submission – Proverbs 4:20, 21, 22.” There is also a heavily marked reference to these underlined verses with the notation: “Prayer for healing. Memorize.” (1) Proverbs 1. (2) Proverbs 4: “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
(3) Proverbs 5:19 [“A false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren.”]. (4) Almost every verse is marked or checked in Proverbs Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.
The Book of the Prophet Isaiah: (1) Isaiah 9:6-7 [“For unto us a child is born. . . Wonderful, Counsellor. . .” (2) Isaiah 19:18. (3) Isaiah 40:21 [“Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning?” referring to the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth.]. (4) Isaiah 44:22 [“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return to me: for I have redeemed thee.”]. (5) Isaiah 51:11 [“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion.”]. (6) Isaiah 53:5 [“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him: and with his stripes we are healed.”].
The Book of Daniel: 2:21 [“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he given wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”]
Malachi: In red ink Clarence wrote: “READ 5/6/76. I shall pour you out a blessing!.
Matthew: [Clarence seemed to dive into this Gospel in many ways: green highlights, red check marks, black ink check marks, annotation comments—with particular attention to the Sermon on the Mount—Matthew 5, 6, 7]. (1) Matthew 3:16-17 [“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightaway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (2) Matthew 4:17-18 [“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”]. (3) Matthew 5:1-11 [all the Beatitudes are checked]. (4) Matthew 5:16-20 [“Let your light so shine. . . whosoever shall do and teach them [one of the commandments] the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”] (5) Matthew 5:23 [condemning anger]. (6) Matthew 5:23-26 [the verses that provided a foundation for the restitution Steps 8 and 9]. (7) Matthew 5:29-30 [the verses that formed the foundation of the “absolute” of purity.] (8) Matthew 5:38-44 [“Love your enemies.”] (9) Matthew 6:1-8 [the so-called “anonymity” comments about praying in secret, giving alms in secret, etc.]. (10) Matthew 6:-9-13 [the “Lord’s Prayer” specially marked (11) Matthew 6:19-34 [“seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”. . . . the verses which Dr. Bob explained to Clarence were the foundation for the slogans “First things first” and “Easy does it.”] (12) Matthew 7:1-5 [looking for the log in your own eye—the verses that formed the foundation for Step 4] (13) Matthew 7:-11 [“Ask and ye shall receive”] (14) Matthew 7:12 [the “golden rule”]. (15) Matthew 7:15-20 [“by their fruits ye shall know them”]. (16) Matthew 7:21-29 [“Not every one that saith unto me ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (17) Matthew 8:15 [“he cast out the spirits with his word.”] (18) Matthew 8:26 [“O ye of little faith”] (19) Matthew 9:10-12 [“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” (20) Matthew 9:29 [“According to your faith be it unto you.”] (21) Matthew 9:36-38 [“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.”] (22) Matthew 10:7-8 [“And as ye go, preach, saying ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (23) Matthew 10:22 [“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (24) Matthew 10:31-39. (25) Matthew 10:28-30 [“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”] (26) Matthew 12. (27) Matthew 13 [the Parable of the Sower] (27) Matthew 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 [All verses emphasized with the written notation “Unforgiveness –causes illnesses” (28) Matthew 19:26 [“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”] (28) Matthew 20:25-28 [“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”—a favorite quote of Dr. Bob’s] (29) Matthew 21:22 [“And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”] (30) Matthew 22:35-39 [the two great commandments—love God, love your neighbor.] (31) Matthew 23, 24. (32) Matthew 25:41 [“Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”] (33) Matthew 26:39-42 [“nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. . . . thy will be done.”] (34) Matthew 28 [the so-called “great commission”].
Mark: (1) Mark 7:21-23 [“For from within, out o the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All theses evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (2) Mark 8:34 [“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”] (3) Mark 9:17-30 [the healing o the man with a dumb spirit – “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”]. (4) Mark 11:23 [“whosever shall say unto this mountain Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea: and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”] (5) Mark 12:28-34 [the two great commandments]. (6) Mark 13:22 [“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”] (7) Mark 16:15-20 [“Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. . . And these signs shall follow them that believe”]
Luke: (1) Luke 11:7-13 [“Ask, and it shall be given you:”] (2) Luke 11:24 {the unclean spirit that is gone, walketh through dry places, and returns, and brings back seven other spirits more wicked”]. (3) Luke 12:34 [“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”] (4) Luke 15::10 [“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and het that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (5) Luke 24:47 [“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”].
John: (1) John 3 [the entire chapter on the new birth, John 3:16, and other familiar verses on believing on Jesus.]. (2) John 10 [Jesus as the Door, with Clarence’s notation “Bible qualifications for being a Shepherd.”]. (3) John 24:1-6 [“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by me.” Clarence penned the note, “Prayer for healing. Learn word of God.”] (4) John 15:7. (5) John 17 – all of the chapter. (6) John 20:21 [“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”]
Acts: (1) Acts 1 3 [“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God”] (2) Acts 2:47 [“Praising God, having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”] (3) Acts 3:6-8 [“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”] (4) Acts 6:2-3 [“It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”] (5) Acts 10:44-48 [Clarence wrote: “Peter. The household of Cornelius received Baptism of the Holy Spirit before water baptism. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. . . on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.”] (6) Acts 16:30-31 [(the keeper of the prison said) “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”].
Romans: (1) Romans 1:21 [“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”] (2) Romans 6:23 [“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”]. (3) Romans 8 [The entire chapter is checked twice, underlined in red, and Clarence wrote in red, “Praise God it was pre-ordained.” Romans 8:28 was bracketed and underlined in blue: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”] (4) Romans 12 [The entire chapter is bracketed].
1 Corinthians: (1) 1 Corinthians 2:26-28 [“how that many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.”] (2) 1 Corinthians 3:16 [“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”] (3) 1 Corinthians 5:9 [“ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators.” Clarence wrote in red ink, “This Epistle was apparently lost.”] (4) 1 Corinthians 11:23 [“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread” This is part of the “communion” verses. (5) 1 Corinthians 12:13 [“For by one Spirit are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”. (6) 1 Corinthians 13 [The entire chapter is checked.].
2 Corinthians: (1) Chapter 10 [The entire chapter is checked. Clarence wrote in red ink, “Do not be critical of another man’s ministry.” (2) 2 Corinthians10:5 – “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”] (3) 2 Corinthians 11:4 [“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (4) 2 Corinthians 11:11-15 [“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (5) 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 [All these verses are checked in red, underlined in red, and bracketed in red.
Galatians: (1) Galatians 2:19-21 [“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”]
Ephesians: (1) The beginning pages of this chapter are ringed with red ink comments by Clarence [These are the remarks: “1976 is the church year.” “Once the word gets into your heart there is no power on earth that can keep it from coming to pass.” “Every Scripture has the power in it to bring itself to pass.” “But will never bring itself to pass without we learn it in our heart.” (2) Ephesians 3:20 [“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or thin, according to the power that worketh in us.”]. (3) Ephesians 5:26 [“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”].
Philippians: There is an penciled notation at the top that I cannot read..
1 Timothy: (1) 1 Timothy 1:15 [“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.”] (2) 1 Timothy 2:1-2 [“I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: For kings, and for all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” In red ink, Clarence wrote: “Pray for those in government and authority.” (3) 1 Timothy 5 [The entire chapter is bracketed and underlined in red.”]. (4) 1 Timothy 6:10 [“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”].
Titus: Titus (1) 1:2-5 [“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. That aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.”] (2) Titus 3:1 [“Put them in mind to be subject to the principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work.”]
Hebrews: (1) Hebrews 3:9 [“When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”] (2) Hebrews 7:5-9 [Verses on tithing] (3) Hebrews 11:6 [“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”]
James: (1) James 1:22 [“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”]. (2) James 1:26 [“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”]. (3) James 2 [This chapter is heavily marked. It deals with avoiding respect of persons]. (4) James 1:10: [“For whosever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”] (5) James 2:14: [“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man that he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him.” (6) James 2:16-26: The many verses illustrating the meaning of faith without works is dead] (7) James 4:17 [“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”]
1 Peter: (1) The book begins with a red ink date of 5/5/76. (2) 1 Peter 1:1-8 [This chapter is checked in red, and the first 8 verses are bracketed in red and also in blue.]. (3) 1 Peter 2:13-17 [“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme. . .”] (4) 1 Peter 4:12-19 [“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings: that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (5) 1 Peter 2:24 [“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”].
1 John: (1) 1 John 1:8 [“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”] (2) 1 John 2:15-17 [“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”]
Revelation: (1) Revelation 3:20 [“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”] (2) Revelation 4:11 [“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”] (3) Revelation 21:8 [“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and *****mongers, and sorcerers and idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”].
Some Tentative Personal Observations
In the last twenty years, I have spent a good deal of time in the company of two of Clarence’s sponsees and their wives. I also spent a good deal of time with Grace Snyder before she died. Also, conversing with Mitch K. and Danny W. (who was sponsored by Grace). And, in the process of listening to their comments about Clarence and looking at their writing, I came to several conclusions which this Bible fortifies.
First, Clarence was a professing and practicing Christian from his earliest years. His many markings of John 3 and the verses about believing on Jesus indicate this. Clarence also believed in God, and his marking of Hebrews 11:6 supported this conviction.
Second, Clarence believed strongly in healing by the power of God. Several of his sponsees declared they were healed of serious problems as Clarence and Grace prayed for their recovery.
Third, Clarence believed in the integrity of the Word of God and in the importance of learning it and obeying it. This certainly included his underlining the verses specifying sinful conduct.
Fourth, he was an advocate of the power of prayer and the importance of doing it.
Fifth, like Dr. Bob and the Akron pioneers, he placed great emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and the Book of James. He marked the very verses which formed the foundation for such Step ideas as “Thy will be done;” the personal inventory; confession; conviction; conversion; restitution; witnessing; and practicing Christian principles.
Sixth, he placed great store in the redemption that Christ’s sacrifice made available to believers.
Seventh, he also pointed specifically to the importance of the Ten Commandments; the two Great Commandments; and the sayings in the Beatitude.
Eighth, he stressed the power of God.
There is more, and more will be covered as study continues. I sincerely wish that other AAs were given the opportunity to review carefully Dr. Bob’s Bible, Anne Smith’s Bible, and T. Henry’s Bible. I had this privilege as to Anne Smith’s actual journal and other original documents such as the Amos reports, Bill Wilson’s actual manuscripts at Stepping Stones. And there is no substitute for the truth that can be found in the actual writings of the founders and pioneers.
Gloria Deo
dickb@dickb.com
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