Alcoholics Anonymous ---- THE UNBELIEVER ~ Henry G. Parkhurst
Channel: AA - Recovered - Alcoholics Anonymous - AA100011
Date: 2021-04-11

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SOURCE / CREDIT --- https://www.bigbookpodcast.com



Henry G. Parkhurst
“The Unbeliever”
(1895 – 1954)

Henry Giffen Parkhurst was born March 13, 1895 in Marion, Iowa.
Hank had once been the Assistant General Sales Manager for Standard Oil
of New Jersey and had been fired for his drinking. 

Bill found him in September of 1935 in the Town’s Hospital and offered him the solution that had worked for him, Doctor Bob, Bill Dotson and Ernie Galbraith.

Hank, who had been treated numerous times previously at Town’s and was
an avowed atheist, reluctantly accepted the “spiritual” solution. His story,
“The Unbeliever” was published in the 1st edition of the big book
Alcoholics Anonymous.

Hank is first mentioned in “The Doctor's Opinion” on page xxix of the Big
Book. Doctor Silkworth describes his case in detail:

“He has lost everything worthwhile in life and was only living, one might say, to drink. He frankly admitted and believed that for him there was no hope.
Following the elimination of alcohol, there was found to be no permanent brain injury. 

He accepted the plan outlined in this book. One year later he called to
see me, and I experienced a very strange sensation. I knew the man by name, and partly recognized his features, but there all resemblance ended. 

From a trembling, despairing, nervous wreck, had emerged a man brimming over with self-reliance and contentment. I talked with him for some time, but was notable to bring myself to feel that I had known him before. To me he was a stranger, and so he left me. A long time has passed with no return to alcohol.”


He is considered to be A.A. #2 in the NewYork contingent of “Alcoholics Anonymous”and was Bill’s first “sponsee.” Henry (Hank) was from Teaneck, New Jersey and is considered to be the fifth* member of A.A. New Jersey A.A. can trace its roots to Hank.



SURRENDER
SHARING
AMENDS
GUIDANCE

HONESTY
PURITY
UNSELFISHNESS
LOVE

TRUST GOD
CLEAN HOUSE
HELP OTHERS


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