For Groupers Only by B.C. Plowright - 1933
For Groupers Only by B.C. Plowright. - 1932
Being a Judgment concerning the Oxford Groups and contained in letters to Duncan Hyde, Undergraduate, sometime Joyous Pagan and a recent convert at a House-Party.
This is a Third Printing of this book from January 1933 which was only one month after the first printing was first released in December 1932. The book was printed with an almost paperback type cover which is a flimsy card stock cover with a dust jacket adhered on top. The cover has experienced edge wear. There is handwriting on the first page in the book. There are small coffee stains and pencil markings on several pages in the book.
About the book from the front flap of the dust jacket:
”The Movement known to its numerous friends and adherents in this country as the Oxford Groups, to its enemies as the Buchmanites, and in America as the First Century Christian Fellowship, has become a definite force in the religious life of the country, and it is high time that it received the critical attention which its present position merits."
- The New Statesman and Nation
“The Author of this reasoned yet kindly valuation writes from First-hand knowledge of the Groups, and presents in this little volume a lively discussion of both the aims and methods of this remarkable movement”
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"For Groupers Only," while not a widely documented book, is based on the teachings and practices of the Oxford Group, which revolved around core concepts such as Quiet Time, Surrender, and guidance. These principles were integral to the Oxford Group’s method of spiritual renewal and personal transformation.
Quiet Time: This is a period dedicated each day to silence and meditation, intended for personal reflection and listening to God. During Quiet Time, members of the Oxford Group would read scripture, pray, and wait in silence to receive personal guidance from God. The action step for Quiet Time involves setting aside a specific, undisturbed time each day, typically in the morning, to focus solely on spiritual reflection.
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Surrender: This concept involves a total yielding of one's life to the will of God. Surrender is considered the foundational step in achieving a personal transformation. It requires acknowledging one’s weaknesses and errors, asking for forgiveness, and committing to live according to God’s direction. The action step here is a conscious decision to relinquish control over one’s life to God, accompanied by a willingness to follow His lead without reservation.
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Guidance: The Oxford Group emphasized the importance of divine guidance in everyday decisions, big and small. This guidance is believed to come during moments of Quiet Time or through interactions with other group members. To actively seek and follow guidance, members are encouraged to be open to God’s direction and to verify it by ensuring it aligns with the nature of God (as understood in Christian teachings) and the advice of fellow group members. The action step involves not only seeking such guidance daily but also discussing it with others to confirm its validity and righteousness.
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Sharing and Confession: Members were encouraged to be honest about their faults and to share their experiences and challenges with others. This practice was seen as a way to heal oneself and help others. The action step here includes regularly attending group meetings where personal stories, challenges, and victories are shared openly.
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Restitution: Making amends for past wrongs was another crucial aspect. This involves reaching out to those one has wronged in the past to apologize and, where possible, to rectify the situation. The action step requires making a list of all persons harmed and then taking concrete steps to make amends.
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Evangelism: Spreading the principles of the Oxford Group was considered a duty of all members. This involves sharing the message of personal transformation through spiritual means with others and inviting them to join the group. The action step is actively seeking opportunities to discuss these principles with others and to demonstrate the change in one’s own life as an example.
These steps form a cycle of continual spiritual growth and outreach, aimed at both personal betterment and societal improvement. Each step is interlinked, supporting and reinforcing the others, creating a comprehensive approach to living what the Oxford Group considered a God-guided life.
Here are some of the key Oxford Group principles that were incorporated into AA:
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Admission of Defeat: Similar to the Oxford Group's emphasis on surrender, the first step of AA involves admitting one's powerlessness over alcohol—that one's life has become unmanageable. This parallels the Oxford Group's teaching about acknowledging one’s inability to control one’s life and needing divine help.
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Confession: This Oxford Group practice influenced AA's steps that involve taking a moral inventory and admitting the nature of one's wrongs to oneself, to God, and to another person. This is reflected in Steps 4 and 5 of the 12 Steps.
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Restitution: Just as the Oxford Group advocated for making amends for past harms, AA includes steps specifically dedicated to making amends to those who have been harmed, unless doing so would cause them or others injury (Steps 8 and 9).
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Guidance and Meditation: The practice of Quiet Time in the Oxford Group is mirrored in AA’s suggestions for prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with God, as understood by the individual (Step 11). This step is about seeking knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out.
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Evangelism: Similar to the Oxford Group's practice of sharing their message with others, AA's 12th Step involves carrying the message of recovery to other alcoholics and practicing the principles in all one's affairs.