When Man Listens by Cecil Rose - 1st Printing from 1936
This book is titled When Man Listens by Cecil Rose. This book is a First Printing which was originally published by The Epworth Press in London in 1936.
The First American Printing by Oxford University Press in New York wasn’t published until 1937 which makes this English printing a TRUE First Printing! This is a paperback book with a blue cover, the American Printings feature a red paperback cover.
"When Man Listens" has often been referred to as "a simple version of the Alcoholics Anonymous Book". This books gives straightforward, practical advice on spiritual matters, addressing readers in a direct and simple style that aims to make the principles of the Oxford Group accessible and actionable for everyone. It continues to be read by those interested in Christian spiritual growth and the historical roots of modern spiritual movements like Alcoholics Anonymous.
In the Preface Cecil Rose writes:
“Meeting the Oxford Group has meant for me not only a new release and power in my own life, but the birth in me of a new hope for the world. Ideals which seemed to recede further with every year, are being brought within reach through men and women who have faced such a personal revolution that God is, through them, bringing about a revolution in society.”
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"When Man Listens" by Cecil Rose is a seminal book discussing the principles and spiritual practices of the Oxford Group, a Christian movement that focused on personal transformation and societal change through living out Christian ideals in everyday life. Written in the 1930s, the book is intended to convey the practical aspects of spiritual living, emphasizing the power of God to change lives when individuals truly listen to Him.
Cecil Rose outlines several key concepts in the book:
1. The importance of quiet time: Rose stresses the significance of dedicating time for prayer and meditation, where individuals can listen for God's guidance.
2. Surrender and obedience: The book advocates for a complete surrender to God's will and obedience to His guidance as essential steps toward spiritual renewal.
3. Personal moral inventory: Similar to practices later adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous, Rose encourages readers to conduct a thorough moral self-examination, confessing their faults to themselves, to God, and to another person.
4. Restitution: The author insists on the necessity of making amends for past wrongs as part of the process of spiritual healing and reconciliation.
5. Evangelism and witnessing: Rose emphasizes the role of sharing one's spiritual experiences with others as a way of spreading the message and helping others find the path to spiritual growth.