This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 25th day August, 1926, in accordance with request made by Edgar Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Dr. and Mrs. T. B. House, and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the psychic work as has been done, and is being done, by Edgar Cayce, whose body is present here in this room; also the information as regarding the work in relation to locating at Virginia Beach, Va., also the information as respecting individuals, as individuals, and as associated with one another respecting the work. You will tell us what progress, if any, is being made - if the work is being kept in the correct way and manner, what associations and connections have been made that will prove beneficial, giving the name of each, and how same may best serve. You will answer any other questions regarding these conditions or associations with the work.
2. EC: Yes, we have the work here. This we have had here before. Also those associations with the work, as individuals, and that manner in which each may serve the better. In this respect, we have many various phases and conditions that are to be considered.
3. First, as the individual, Edgar Cayce, and the locating at Virginia Beach - in this regards, we find this an advance, and the results and interest in same shows in the material way that this is in keeping with the better service as may be rendered others through the individual efforts of the body.
4. In respecting individual association with the psychic work, we find this as varied as individuals, yet each, that is already or may become associated with same, will find those words of the apostle to the Master - that each may present their bodies a living sacrifice, which is a reasonable service. To some there has been given the ability to serve as prophets; some as teachers; some as ministers; some in one manner, some in another; which are spiritual gifts, and of the same source, when applied in that manner that brings service to then fellow man; for in sending the Son into the world, as flesh, becoming the Son of Man, man's service to God becomes then fellow service to fellow man, and through same exemplifying God's gift to the world.
5. In the associations, then, as individuals, there is seen, in connection with information as has been given respecting the psychic phenomena as manifested through an individual - who becomes to the group that are so interested in serving man as the exhorter or teacher; to others as the explainer, or speaking in tongues; to others as counsellor, and to others as minister to the BODILY ills of man - each, then, may serve in that way and manner as is suited to their station, position, and gifts of the Creator, through the way and manner each have applied same in the flesh.
6. In that of progress as has been made, there is seen progress has been made - first in the position from which better service may be rendered; again in the numbers and the desire of those increased who would serve through such channels. Then, there is needs that this may be kept up, and the service in way and manner be given better impetus, through the abilities of those who would join in to cooperate - not only with individuals, as individuals, but to those forces through and by whom such cooperation is given; for, as has been given, the results speak for themselves.
7. In the MANNER of conducting such work, there is seen there have been times when there seems to have been evil done that good might come from same. Oft will it be learned, by the study of phenomena of people's actions, that seemingly all forces in the Universe are used to bring about that which is good, for it has been said, "I will harden the heart of Pharoah, that he will not let my children go." Through this same seed came the Son of Man, and through these same trials that the forefathers passed the burdens and sins of the world was laid upon that Son.
8. Then, through the trials, the temptations, the besetters of evil from within and from without, may any work that is His (God's) to be expected to grow, and in that manner become polished bright, and a shining light unto the world; yet were He the Son, He learned obedience through the things which He suffered.
9. In the individual association, then, we find there are many already associated, in one direction or another. Each have their individual work with same to accomplish - some as teachers, some as ministers, some as directors, some in one channel, some in another.
10. Ready for questions.
11. (Q) Should the Institute be begun on a small scale at first?
    (A) From acorns great oaks grow. The Son of Man was the Babe in the Manger. The beginning of all great institutions, of all great things, begin first in the mind of individuals who are in touch with infinite forces. "The silver and the gold is mine," saith the Lord. Begin - as was given to the prophet of old - "What hast thou in hand?" and this same rod, cast before Pharoah, brought the plagues to the nation. The same spread over the sea divided same. The same brought consternation when smiting the rock, and said, "Shall I (not shall God) give this stubborn and stiff-necked people?"
    Then, use that thou hast in hand, in the direction in which same may be applied in that same way and manner, that the great aid, succor, and help, may be given to the mental and the body deficiency, and that the ways of the wicked may be pointed out, and that many may find the Lord - for He is not afar off, but dwells within thine own heart. "This day I have set before thee good and evil. Choose thou" whom thy peoples, thy mind, thy body, will serve; for, as has been given, "I present my body a living sacrifice, which is a reasonable service."
12. (Q) Would it be to the best interest of the work for Edgar Cayce to make the trip to Florida to obtain finances for the Institute?
    (A) There has been given - even as reference has been made here - that seemingly, ofttimes the wicked are used to further good. Through these channels the first large amounts may be obtained for the beginning of such work. The condition to be considered, rather, are those individuals to whom such finances would be committed for expenditure - in that way and manner of serving mankind, through and in that channel as been said shall be the criterion of every individual seeking to serve through such a way and manner. Some as have been chosen, or spoken of, are. Others are not - yet their WILLINGNESS to serve is as the beginning of wisdom for many.
    In the numbers, we would give such as these should be the ones to serve:
    [900] should direct that that shall be given as a message to the world, and to individuals.
    Edgar Cayce should direct that manner of the approach to each individuals place of service in such an institution, through the same sources that this information is given - choosing, then, NO ONE, without first consulting, as it were, those forces.
    As given, Thomas Burr House may direct that manner of applying to the physical body physical conditions for the benefit of the benefit of the physical functioning of that body.
    Others may be chosen in the same way and manner.
13. (Q) Outline the way and manner in which the finances may be obtained for the beginning of the Institute.
    (A) As has oft been given, ask and you shall receive. From those who have received benefits should first come that nucleus, about which there would be many that would add thereto. As credence is gained, as the material benefits are derived, then that as is necessary for the material portion will be supplied, PROVIDED all is done in the way and manner as here given, and has oft been given. Let each work in this manner: "May the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart, the deeds of my hands, the thoughts and expression of my mind, be acceptable in thy sight, my Lord, my redeemer."
    In the first, as has been given, the individual or initial sum may be obtained through the Florida connection. Much more may be gained through New York connection - as Lauterstein, Levy, Bergeson (?), Kraus, Bernstein (?) [See pp. 51-52 Stearn's book, A DOOR TO THE FUTURE], and March. [See GD's note 1/79 - 254-31, Par. R1.]
14. (Q) Who would be the one to approach these?
    (A) Edgar Cayce.
15. (Q) Who would be the best one to take charge of the finances for the Institute?
    (A) Edgar Cayce.
16. (Q) When would be the best time for Edgar Cayce to make the trip to Florida or New York?
    (A) When the men ask to see him, and to come.
17. (Q) You will give any general advice to those associated with the work that will assist them in any way.
    (A) Each - each - each - shall approach that source of advice in their own concept of service desired to be rendered. Not that the individual should give another individual their concept of what the other thinks, or how desires the other to serve God. Let this mind be in each that would associate, or that would serve: This is MY work in a manner as attempting to better serve my fellow man, in understanding the issues of life, and my association, my brother's association and relation to his Creator.
18. (Q) About what time may the Institute be started.
    (A) About the time that this is asked for.
19. (Q) What course should Edgar Cayce pursue to bring [900] and Mr. [953] to cooperate better regarding the work?
    (A) Let each ask that they may serve together, in better cooperation, and there will be given, through these sources, the way, the manner, the position, each would serve the better. There has been given to each that they, each, as individuals, have a portion, a part, a service to render. Let each desire to cooperate in such service, for each may be sure that each man is held responsible or accountable for the deeds and the thoughts done in the body.
    The same may be said of each individual who already would serve. Let each seek to serve, and the position, the conditions surrounding same, will be given, and these may be very sure.
20. (Q) Would Mr. Van Patten of Virginia Beach be the correct one for the secretary of the Institute?
    (A) Correct, if he will apply himself to those same conditions as have been given, for the abilities of the body lies within self to be made compatible to those things as have been set forth. Association, socially, financially, and mentally, of the individual are peculiarly fitted for same, will he apply them.
21. (Q) What other individuals in Virginia Beach or Norfolk should be approached by Edgar Cayce?
    (A) As has been given, individuals must first seek that they be of service. Service rarely seeks individuals. God has given every man his abilities. Man seeks to apply same to God's service. This is God's work.
22. That is all the questions.
23. There may be much said respecting individuals, and associations and cooperation, and as to how each, AS INDIVIDUALS, or as cooperating individuals, may apply themselves.
24. Then, seek more often that counsel as may be received through Him that would give all unto those who serve.
25. We are through.

REPORTS

1. 1/11/79 GD's note in re 254-31, Par. 13-A mention of name Berstein. This was a man known to Morton Blumenthal at the time, NOT Morey Bernstein who entered the picture in 1956, 30 yrs. later.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation