Edgar Cayce Readings, 254-55

Time: 11:30 A. M. Eastern Standard Time.

TEXT

GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of Edgar Cayce, present in this room, the phenomena that manifests itself through this body, also all the conditions and circumstances that surround this body and the phenomena itself. You will tell us what is the proper and correct method to proceed under the existing circumstances and conditions, answering questions for those so vitally interested, as they, themselves, have asked them, answering the questions to each, individually, as I ask them.
EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, Edgar Cayce, present in this room, the phenomena that manifests through this body, the associations, relations, individuals - these we have had before.
Many are the questions that arise in the minds of individuals that contact, that are interested in the various phases of the phenomena, as it - the phenomena - interests or influences the lives of individuals in their varied manners of contacting same.
In the manners to proceed, then - much has been given as respecting same. Some definite actions have been taken as respecting same. The first consideration each individual takes, as they seek either information or association with same, should be the validity of the information - and as to whether or not they themselves are willing, irrespective of comment from without, to stand by same, or to LIVE by same wholly, or in another line. Is the information in keeping with the ideal that has been set by such an individual? Is it in keeping with that they (the individual) would live by, or die with? Or, to put in another manner - is the informa tion such that IT (the information) GIVES the individual AN ideal, NOT just an idea? Or is the information IDEAL, or JUST an idea?
As to how each individual is to reach such conclusions, then - as has been outlined - there is seen that first there must be within the information that may be obtained that which corresponds, or which awakens a chord WITHIN each individual, and that rings true to the individual's own plan, own spiritual desire; for the SPIRIT is alive, the FLESH is weak. The carnal desire must sooner or later, as in nature, BURN itself out; so, as has been given, "all things are tried so as by fire". THIS, to SOME, will give a new meaning to MANY of the words of old.
In considering individuals' approach, again there must be CREDENCE given to the acts and activities OF the information as it contacts individuals' lives. Does the information not make of individuals better husbands, better wives, better sons, better daughters, better citizens, then there is some fault with same. What is to be the comparison, then, is asked, as to whether an individual is a better son, daughter, husband, wife, or citizen? That which makes for a continuity of life is the answer; for as one views all forms of life in the earth's plane there is within that that has crystallized INTO form the seed for the propagation of that life. So in deeds of men, or in the acts or thoughts, or ideals of man - however they may be made accessible to the mental being - does same make for that which is life, light, understanding. Then it bears the seed and the stamp of divine privilege, divine understanding; for GOD IS life, light, and immortality. So must be the information that would BUILD in the lives, hearts and MINDS of those that contact same. As to whether such information that comes through these channels, this body, this individual, is of THIS character or not is the question in each individual that contacts same; for, as of old, God calls on every individual to act FOR THEMSELVES; even as of old, "there is set before thee good and evil. Choose THOU". Not that the response comes from any source save FROM within.
As to how an individual may present same - that is, the information - the awakening from within of that received through such channels, that they themselves or the phenomena itself may not be evil spoken of - ask and ye SHALL receive. As to how each shall present that knowledge - how does an individual tell of the finding in self of that love for an individual that they choose as their mate in the material world? that the fusing of their bodies, their minds, may propagate or give to the world the material things of the world that they desire TO be their representatives in the world? They declare themselves before the laws of the land, before the laws of society, before the laws of individual thought; and in the same manner may an individual that receives any phase of that they would see propagated, dispersed, dispensed, in the hearts, the souls, the minds, of men - in the same manner declare themselves. That the phenomena, the ideal, the idea, will be spoken evil of is apparent, but those that declare themselves must know in what, whom, how, they themselves HAVE believed. BELIEVING, ACT - in faith - in the manner as befitteth and befits that which WOULD be propagated. So in each individual's touch, each individual's contact, they that seek such things for an interest that is wholly of the earth-EARTHY may only find such. They that seek for those that bring a whole, well rounded life, may find such. "What WILL ye do with this man?" Ready for questions.
(Q) Questions by Gray Salter: How best might Gray Salter give his service in helping this work?
(A) In the varied manners in which the abilities of self lie, so use those abilities that they may in the lives of those seeking aid in the various forms RECEIVE that in no UNCERTAIN manner; for each is dependent upon the other.
(Q) Am I fitted and the one to take charge of the mechanical appliances and medicines at present?
(A) One that may take charge of mechanical appliances, and for the PRESENT prepare such of medicinal properties as may be given in thy charge - for each to their various spheres. MUCH may be added unto self of material knowledge concerning the various applications, or the various appliances, that will aid others seeking for physical or material aid through these channels. He that will serve is able, and when faltering ASK - and the strength necessary will be given in that direction. Remember, no man is BIGGER than that which makes him lose his temper.
(Q) What would be the best way to carry on the department of the batteries and medicines at this time?
(A) That will depend upon the manner in which the managerial forces are set for their dispensing or dispersing, or distributing of same. Take conditions as they arise. Do not pre-suppose. Do today every act NECESSARY to have TODAY'S influence in the lives of those that seek, that the credence each individual may find is in the position to be fulfilled, and use that IN hand - not that thou might wish for; but as that as is HAD is USED, that as is NECESSARY WILL be attained and given.
(Q) I believe that this department can be made to expand to become self-supporting and of great benefit to mankind. How is the best and most proper way to begin this?
(A) As has been outlined oft as concerning this, this begins in a SMALL way - to be sure, but each department of the EXPERIENCING OF the benefits MUST be, WILL be, self-supporting if the LIFE and truth lies within - as HAS been FULLY outlined. Meet the needs of each day, building as to prepare the way - for the day is at hand!
(Q) How might I go about preparing myself to better and expand this department?
(A) Study some of the material things pertaining to electrical vibratory rates of chemistry in its minor, or in its beginning, and the combinations of the various elements as HAS been outlined. WHY each has a different effect. Then prepare that as is necessary to fill in the inter-between of that as has been the findings of others, for in the organization - which, as we find, should be as National, or Association of Research AND Enlightenment - would carry WITH same the offices of every department in the various phases of a research and of an enlightenment to those that seek. Only those that seek find.
(Q) Questions of Hugh Lynn Cayce: In organizing the department of research and distribution of data, we wish to put it on a basis whereby it will maintain and pay for itself financially -
(A) (Interrupting) This, as we find, as has OFT been given, is not ONLY plausible, possible and FEASIBLE, but - to be sure - if - IF - IF it is found to be worth while - done in a systematic and in an ORDERLY manner. First put the information that has been gained, or had, in an ORDERLY manner, so that any phase of human experience may be had FROM that ALREADY given. Then choose from among those that are gifted in the putting together of data so obtained into scientific manners, in those of story, verse or fiction, and let same then be given to the hundreds of CHANNELS of outlets for same; and, as has been given, there IS the seeking for such information, such data, and this will be self-supporting; not only self-supporting but will be enlightening, as is indicated from the very NAME itself - and let it be known that that being dispensed comes from such sources, as is verified by those who have found in their lives the answer to THEIR problems - and such becomes then more and more WORTH while to the readers of, whether it be Snappy Stories or those of the Sunday School lessons themselves; for who was the greatest? He that made the worlds or He that washed His disciples' feet?
(Q) I suggest the following as a means of preparing the readings for work upon them. Please comment and give suggestions for the improvement of this system.
(A) (Interrupting) Whatever system as may be chosen, be able to - at a glance, from whatever phase of HUMAN experience - have the words of the information IN the setting it WAS presented TO THAT individual! whether it be pertaining to the marital relations, the approach to the altars of the Most High, or whether in digging or separating the silt from the gold, or whether it be in adding to a body that vibration necessary to alter the very fires of nature within the individual itself, or adding to the system that which takes from same the drosses of the body forces - enabling the life fluid within same to resuscitate the disabled members of a physical body, or whether that which awakens the imagination of the mind itself to the storehouses of the knowledge of the inner mind. All of these need their presentations in their proper settings. Do not attempt to cast pearls before swine, nor to give to those who read such as of the fiction of the day that of the fourth dimension of the subconscious forces of the intricacies of life itself, but each in their respective spheres - for all have NOT developed properly, but in each sphere these as are gathered from their settings may be given in a proper manner.
(Q) Questions of T. J. Sugrue: Is the entity, Thomas J. Sugrue, of proper ideas and ideals, and competent, to undertake the labor of studying, editing, and compiling, the data other than medical, connected with the work?
(A) With study, with consecration, the body can, will, so fit self - once choosing that upon which it may build its life; for, as has been given, the abilities to so correlate the experiences of individuals in such a manner as to aid them to see themselves are GIVEN the body, to write in sonnet, verse, ballad, prose and line, that that will enable an individual, groups, peoples, to SEE themselves. The IDEALS must be set IN the LIVING God. The IDEAS will be altered as the work progresses. Be not hasty, but first consecrate self and self's abilities, purging the mind of that that would easily beset, or that would prevent from making for EVERY man that of HIS ability in HIS place to approach the LIVING God; for ALL men, everywhere, are called to harken to that DIVINE FROM within, and WHOSOEVER WILL let him come, for the bride and the church are willing.
(Q) Would it be well that the entity be thus employed as a student, then as a writer and compiler, finally as a lecturer and authority on the work?
(A) To become an authority one MUST be the student, the investigator, the interpreter - and FIRST of all credence within thine own experience of the reason for the purposes from WITHIN of the activities from without. Yes, would be well.
(Q) Along what lines should the entity begin his study?
(A) Finding the credence in the lives, FIRST of self, and in the lives of others.
(Q) Will it be possible to achieve the entity's ideal of purging Christianity of its theological errors and persuading organized religion and science to accept the truth as revealed through this psychic source?
(A) That will depend upon the application of the entity's own abilities. WILL the desire remain in the hands of the living God, rather than to be pushed as of old through powers that enforge and forge for men bonds that break down, possible - but will the entity make it, as of old, through might and force rather than through the love of God, then it would fail.
(Q) Questions of [Rev.] F. H. Scattergood: How best may I be of service?
(A) In choosing, as of old, in the manner in which each individual that QUESTIONS same in the presence of SHOULD approach the phenomena. Then guide them into that channel for THEIR individual contact. This not only clarifies or CLEARS the skirts OF the entity or body, but offers to each the opportunity for THEIR OWN reaction to that in which the body HAS made, or seeks to make ITS approach - see? First let every individual, as had been given, satisfy themselves of WHAT credence, WHAT manner of approach. All may not be approached through the same channel, for to SOME are given to be laborers in the field, to some fruits of the flock, to others those secular things of life; yet LIFE is OF God Himself, in WHATEVER form it may present itself!
(Q) How may we overcome the spirit of misunderstanding pronounced in the minds of those outside?
(A) Only that of the ministry of, tolerance with all conditions. Weep with those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn, and ever present the same attitude as has been outlined, that IF the life is not within itself, then there is no propagation.
We are through.
Copy to File
Extra copy

REPORTS

3/23/31 See EC's letter to Mrs. [264] re. Sunday afternoon talks being held in Sunday School room at Presbyterian Church also living room at Newcastle Hotel through spring and summer, "until we have a place of our own."
3/28/31 Pre-organization meeting of A.R.E. was held all day in EC's home on 35th Street. [See 254-56 reading at 6:40 P.M. following the meeting.]
EDGAR CAYCE:
Let us each one bow our heads for just a few moments of silent prayer, each one praying in his own way. (Everybody bowed)
Friends, I hardly know how to express myself at seeing each one of you here this afternoon. While we come together for a very definite purpose, I believe you will say when you have left the meeting that it was an unusual meeting. It is not that we may know HOW to carry on the work, but as you all know, that I have been doing and you have been interested in, but as to whether we SHALL carry on the work. Each one of you have signified by your coming here that it will be carried on, that it must be carried on. I believe that you will agree with me that if this be God's work, the way will be shown us. To be sure, we are in a material world. Most of us consider everything in a material way. Practically all of us are material-minded to a greater or lesser degree.
Now, I have invited possibly 75 or 80 people. These we see here represent themselves and possibly many others. I have many letters here from all parts of the world, from people who could not be here. I wish that we had time to read you something from each and every one of those letters. We haven't. There are one or two that we do want to read. You know the purpose of this gathering from the letters that were sent out with the readings [254-52, 254-53, 254-54]. There has been, or was, an organization [A.N.I.] which was proposed to carry on the research work, that has been ordered disbanded, or disorganized. I was the individual around whom most of that was built. Now, as to whether that is to be carried on and as to what purposes and what aims shall be set are the questions before you.
I don't have to try to describe the work to you, for possibly to every one of you it means something different. We cannot keep personalities from entering in to our lives. I had a wire this afternoon from someone that I think a very great deal of. Now let me tell those of you who don't know this individual some of the circumstances and then think well of how this lady has expressed herself. She has known of the work for possibly 15 years. Last summer she brought her husband [5473] here to the Hospital. He died at the Hospital, one of the two deaths that we had here. I sent her a letter. It must mean something for her to wire this:
"Readings splendid. Heartily endorse suggestions. Favor progress in definite helpful manner. Experience permits me an expression of deepest appreciation and years of happiness and benefit...[310]"
Think what that means to a woman who lost her husband, depending upon the information. Now, I am trying to put this in just the hardest way we may put it, if it is possible.
Consider this from a young man who, in a portion of his letter received just a minute ago, says:
"You have expressed in a personal letter that possibly my work has taken something from my religion, or has taken me away from my religion, but I want to say it has given me my religion, though I was raised in the Catholic Church, and I am asking you after this - may God take me for what I am...I do not come as the ... worshiper, the incense burning charlatan, the pious hypocrite, but as the lusty lover of life...ready to defend He who is my Father...[849]"
To some other friends that I wrote far and near, I received letters of encouragement to continue the work.
Now I would like for you all to select a chairman and let me sit down and listen to what you have to say about the phenomena. I would like to have an expression from you all, every one of you that feels moved to speak.
Before we appoint or elect or select a chairman, would you wish to hear those readings again as to what we are going to do? There has been one other obtained since those were sent out. That one I would like for you to hear anyway [254-55].
We have three nominations. I know nothing in the world about parliamentary law. If you go around all over this country and you speak of Dave Kahn, somebody will be apt to ask you about Edgar Cayce. There are very few people in the business world who do not know Dave Kahn. All right, Mr. Kahn.
DAVID E. KAHN:
When I left New York, the last thing I said was that I was going to put business in the background and sit and listen. I say to continue the work, and we never have stopped. We are sometimes retarded, but we just push further ahead and gain greater speed. As I was sitting and looking out into space, it seemed that we should have a very sunshiny day. When you will allow yourself to think, or shall I say not to think, thoughts do come to you. When Mordecai sat at the outer gates in sackcloth and ashes, waiting to seek admittance into the gates of the palace to plead his cause, and while sitting there on this dark, desolate day in sackcloth and ashes, and in this condition on account of the humbleness of approach, the king listened, and from that day on came the sunshine.
It is so much like the things we are doing here today. We haven't come in pomp and glory, but we have come here with only one thought, but certainly in the name of the Creator. I feel that because of the humbleness with which we approach this subject today we are going to ask and receive help which will lead us on to things that we aspired to accomplish when we came to Virginia Beach five years ago.
We are going to ask a few of our number to step into the next room and briefly in sentences give us a dozen lines of what the purposes and aims of this organization should be, according to these readings. [Here Gertrude Cayce read aloud EC readings 254-52 and 254-55.]
I might further add that after we have discussed the various ways and means and ideas, and the committee has acted and brought in their report, if someone would suggest it, I think that Mr. Cayce would be very glad to give us a reading this afternoon upon the findings of the committee. I think it would be very interesting and we can see what guidance we can obtain from there.
Now I am going to suggest that we begin and go around the room, and on account of there being so many, I am going to ask that you limit your speech to 3 minutes. We will begin with Miss Cayce: Tell us if it means enough from past experiences to go on with the work.
ANNIE CAYCE:
Well, it means so much to me that when the Hospital was closed, I was all at sea as to what to do, as my heart was in the work and I had contacted so many sick souls and sick bodies. We had a reading and I asked if I should take a house and take care of the ones that have been begging to come. The house is small, but the best I could obtain at this time. I have in the house two patients who were anxious and waiting to come and I am taking care of them as well as I can. It means much to contact my brother daily, and he is a consecrated Christian man.
L. B. CAYCE:
Friends, I didn't intend to say anything this afternoon. Mr. Kahn is beginning to make the request. I have been connected with the work, as you may judge, for quite a long while and have had quite a bit of experience with it and feel very proud that I am permitted to sit day by day and listen to the readings, both life readings and physical. Being with it so long, I feel that I understand quite a bit of it. Now, I feel that a very important part of the work is helping those who suffer bodily affliction, by the readings that are given day by day. Those readings that are on hand now, I feel, are a big part of the work and I feel that they should be given out to the people in the best way possible. When the work is started again, I hope one of the first things done will be the compiling and the giving out of the readings in published form.
SARAH HESSON:
The physical readings that I have obtained - I believe that without them I would not be here today. I think that we should continue, as was started, with the Hospital. I think the physical work is the most important.
WALLACE H. McCHESNEY, D.C.:
There has much been said about the physical work. There is a greater work here than the physical side of life. That is only the shadow of the greater thing. I believe that, Mr. Cayce. I think anyone could well take a life reading for study. I know I have had one, which I believe has made my own soul growth something real that was heretofore intangible and practically impossible to demonstrate to other people. Simply the realization that you are that which you are, and part of the eternal scheme of life, that you are everlasting and perpetual and will never die, is tremendous. That alone, if nothing else could enter into this work, would be very well worthwhile. I think those on the physical side of life lean too much upon someone else. We desire to help those that are sick, true enough, to help those that are feeble, but we must build around good, clear thinking.
LU HESSON:
I think that we should go ahead just as we planned to do. I want to help as much as I can.
PROFESSOR FRANCIS H. GREENE:
I feel from my own experience, and the experiences my family have had, that we have all been materially helped with Mr. Cayce's work and the Hospital. Yes, I agree that the physical side is important, and that we should provide Mr. Cayce with the place and means to carry on. We owe Mr. Cayce and the Hospital for saving the life of our boy whom we brought to him in a very critical condition. A. C. PRESTON:
Briefly, I have been interested in the work for several years, and happened to be here today, and I think that we should follow out the suggestions that have been given by the information to the best of our ability. I am quite sure the work will continue as it has been and at the same time the other phases of it will grow as we proceed.
H. H. JONES:
I am very much in accord with Dr. McChesney's ideas on this line, that the spiritual is very much greater that the physical, but in the physical you have something you can show in a tangible form, and I heartily agree that the Hospital work should go on as in the past.
LINDEN SHROYER:
My experience with the work covers a period of about eight years. I have had readings. As for myself, I will say that I have been made better spiritually, physically, and materially, through the readings. My thought has been to help others physically through the Hospital, mentally and spiritually through the information that is to be spread through publications and lectures.
MINA KERR:
Most of my life I have been interested in the people active in psychic research. My best friend through many years has been Secretary of the American Society for Psychic Research. So, of course, I have the attitude of interest always in the research, in finding new truths. That always lures my mind and lures my thought and interest. In the next place, like others who have come to Virginia Beach for the first time this year, I have come because of a very liberal, very forward-looking program, set for the bringing into existence of an institution, and that program practically stressed intellectual and spiritual interests and activities and, of course, that makes its appeal to me [Atlantic University].
From childhood I have had more or less touch with the Quakers, so I have always learned to think of the inner light and all in terms of the universal. So many times we quote, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I like to turn it to "Where there is vision, the people live."
JAMES R. PARKER, M.D.:
My experience with this work has been somewhat limited, but the experiences that I have had I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have seen some wonderful manifestations of the work. GENA CREWS, D.O.:
My work all the way through has been extremely interesting and to me unexplainable. It is the gift of God. I have enjoyed the work here. Being a physician, of course I feel that the way to a man's soul and spirit and mind is through the physical. I would like to see the work go on and I feel that a Hospital and through the readings and the contracts made with the institution would be the better way.
FRANCES Y. MORROW:
Well, I have contacted the readings for the past two years and I have been extremely interested in both the physical and metaphysical, and feel that I have been very much helped.
ESTHER WYNNE:
Well, if my people at home were here they would say "Now, you have a chance to talk about the Hospital, so talk!" I was induced to go down to Virginia Beach to the Hospital when I didn't know a thing about it. I had a reading and for two years I didn't go back to teaching. I threw myself here in the hands of those that are propagating this work and want to know more about the work that you have introduced to me. The physical is important. Our Lord and Master recognized that Himself, and the Hospital is a means whereby a great mass of people may be reached. The mental and spiritual growth will come also in its own good time.
MARY L. BLACK:
I was drawn to Mr. Cayce and obtained a life reading. I have been thoroughly convinced of reincarnation and that to know the truth will make one free. I always agree with the treatment of the physical. The physical can be healed, because personally I was healed. If we know the truth the truth will make us free, and of course, eventually, there will be no death. As for the Hospital, I have never seen it closed - it is just temporarily discontinued. To make manifest our love for God and man was our aim and I think it is still our aim. The more we do for humanity, being part of humanity, the more we do for ourselves, and I feel that two years from now we will all have a vision beyond anything we can express now. I know that it will be manifested and that Virginia Beach will come to be known the world over as a point of health, happiness and peace.
EDITH EDMONDS:
I am deeply interested and anything I can do I will be very glad to do. FLORENCE EDMONDS:
About two years ago a group of us came down and Dr. House showed us through the Hospital. We each had a life reading. We feel that this great light will be a light for the world. That is how the work here will develop.
MINNIE BARRETT:
I believe that the work should go on as it has in the past and we should have some place that the readings should be demonstrated. I feel that I am a channel, and I must be a channel whether I want to be or not, through which some of this good may flow. As my friend said, two years ago we saw this little place on the hill. I said, "Let's go up", and Dr. House met us at the door. We are all interested in the work and I am willing to do anything that I can.
HANNAH MILLER:
I think most everything has been said. We should manifest our love for God and man. I have four children and I go back and try to tell them. While it is slow, I know it is sure. If there is anything I can do in any way, I will do it. I will talk it anyway.
GRAY SALTER:
Well, I have been connected with the work since the Hospital opened. I have seen cases come in there that other doctors said were absolutely incurable. I have seen those same cases go out absolutely well. Even before this I have come in contact with the work. I have seen the good it has done. Anybody that has seen it, that has been close to it, must see it continue.
It has also been my good luck to be of help in this work by taking charge of the appliances. I have worked with them since the Hospital opened, even after the 16th of October, after I was let out. Many another young fellow would want to go and find something else. I could not feel that way. I stayed and worked up until the Hospital closed. From there I came here, and I have been carrying on and doing the best I could for it.
It is my idea that the Hospital should be started again. Even though the spiritual is important, I will say it is a greater part of it, the most important part even, at the same time unless there is something established to draw people to it I don't believe that it will have as great a power to bring people in and give them the spiritual ideas as it would to have something physical in it. People coming into the Hospital cannot help but contact the spiritual and become influenced by it. I hope to see the Hospital reestablished and carried on in a greater way than it has ever been carried on.
C. A. BARRETT:
I think it has been covered very clearly here this afternoon what the definite steps are, etc., but I will say that I am at your command.
RUDOLPH C. ADY:
I would like to say that I have been connected with this kind of work for 16 years, inactive and active. I think I know and feel that we have a very honest instrument that will even give us more than is given if we give him the proper help. The instrument should not have any cares or worries as long as he is doing psychic work. So he needs somebody to lead, as a guide in any way, shape or manner helpful.
REV. FRANK H. SCATTERGOOD:
Any other movement with which we may associate ourselves here in Virginia Beach will also be benefitted by this work of Edgar Cayce.
VIRGINIA BOGGS:
Mr. Chairman: I haven't been associated with work very long, but I don't think it means anything to others that it does to me. I have a boy 12-1/2 years of age, for whom we had done everything - New York and Boston, etc. Most of the doctors gave no hope, and Mr. Cayce gave the reading and it gave us the first hope we had.
I know several others who were absolutely pleased, and say their readings are very hopeful. One mother was down here this week and had a girl 22 years old who had a breakdown 20 years ago. Now Mr. Cayce's readings say that if the readings are carried out help will come. I want it all to be centered right around Mr. Cayce.
MAE T. BORUM:
I am a Methodist and always was a Methodist until I came into this way of thinking. It has helped and has given me everything. I have lost nothing. I feel like Dr. McChesney said, "Consider the spiritual first." As you all know, I am connected with an institution in Norfolk, and I feel that the spiritual plays a great part in healing suffering, and this work has helped me a lot in helping those who are ill. There is one patient there who always asks me to "Be sure and tell me everything that Mr. Cayce said." We know that God is with us. FANNIE FREEMAN:
I feel very grateful for having the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cayce and having a life reading.
SARA ATKINSON:
I have been interested in the work ever since the Hospital started and I became Secretary up there. I want to take this occasion to voice my appreciation for the kindness shown a member of my family when he passed on. I want to do anything I can for the work, to be used in any way.
PAUL KAUFMAN:
Well, Mr. Chairman, it seems presumptuous for me to speak in the midst of those who have had such an intimate and vital contact with this work. I fear to make suggestions for fear I should be naive in the sight of those who know the breadth and depth and vast extent that the visions revealed in these thousands of readings. I have been a little disappointed as the circle has narrowed down here not to hear suggestions for revisions and policies. Well, I certainly don't deserve even three minutes -
(Mr. Kahn: Take as much time as you want.)
I can simply second what has been said to me by the young man in the second generation of the Cayce family, a young man whom I esteem so highly and who has given me practically all of the insight I have in this work. Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce has said to me on a number of occasions recently, "What the organization needs is brains. What we need now is minds." That, Mr. Chairman, is what runs through my thought at the present time. Of course, mere intellectual activity cannot possibly be a stimulant for spiritual forces. I am not suggesting that at all. But I think we need a material and physical organization, something concrete. We certainly must have the best possible thought, and that means a thought just as practical and just as large in its real construction of the work in its four-fold phases.
I certainly think that a committee on codification or plans should come out of this meeting today. Again I hesitate to make suggestions as the readings speak of a pre-organization, but I am just showing what I understand to be your request. Aside from that suggestion I won't say anything further now, Mr. Chairman, except to express my own approval as to the soundness of this work. My word may carry some weight since I am an academic man with training for scholarly ideals at stake. I accept the endless possibilities of this. There is no limit, and if it were not for my belief in that I certainly would not take my time to meet these good friends here today. A. T. ELLINGTON:
Mrs. Ellington will speak for both of us.
HELEN ELLINGTON:
There is just one thing that has been running through my mind, an expression "What and where is God?" The one thing that I remember from the work is that God is only where His instrument manifests Him. Well, talking of this work, it seems to me that it has made some wonderful improvements in my soul. I really feel that it has helped to make life easier, and to live, and to me the contact has made death more easy to receive. I don't look on death as I used to at all. I think that most everybody here knows about how the Edgar Cayce work has given us a new outlook on life and how to live it.
DAVID E. KAHN:
We know there is always some one person who has to stand the brunt of everything. If it is in the business world, I think that must be the credit man. In this particular situation it isn't just the credit man. I know what it means to back up this kind of work - the days of trial and criticism and worries - and one person here has been connected with the work through it all. She will tell us how she would like to see it carried on.
(Mrs. Cayce, as Mr. Kahn proceeds to call her from another room, says that Hugh Lynn will talk for both, saying, "Dave, we had agreed that Hugh Lynn will talk." Mr. Kahn here insisted still that she speak and tell how the work should be carried on in her estimation, and she replied, "Carried on just as we have carried it on.")
We are going to have a committee meeting. Just give us an idea of just what you think should be given to carry it on. How many fields should we touch? Any special stress on any phase?
GERTRUDE CAYCE:
All of them. Naturally we have been more interested in the physical in establishing the Hospital; but I do think that should be carried on. I think that we have to reach as many people as we can.
DAVID E. KAHN:
I can't tell you how important it is to get these readings down right. There are many words that you and I and Mr. Cayce never heard of before. That is another very important factor, taking down the readings in the very way in which they are given, from the religious and moral standpoint. I am going to ask Miss Gladys Davis to tell us what her ideals are in regard to this work.
GLADYS DAVIS:
It was 7 years ago that I first came in contact with this work, and since that time I have taken down all the readings except a few, and it seems that all of my life up until that time I was waiting for just such an opportunity. I hope to give the rest of my life in the same manner.
DAVID E. KAHN:
Now, the reason that I have left Hugh Lynn for the very last is that he has one big opportunity for us all. He knows, has lived this work, and it is up to him to be a connecting link between the old and the new. Now I want Hugh Lynn to tell us about the work and what he thinks we should do.
HUGH LYNN CAYCE:
You all must know, each and everyone of you, what an occasion this is in the lives of those who contact, who have contacted this work closely. Now, I want you to forget for a moment that I am the son of Edgar Cayce. I am just a soul hunting for something, going somewhere - most of us don't know where - looking, searching, for something. By the very presence of each of you here, by the words that you have spoken, you have manifested an interest in something that will make others' lives more worth while. Each of us as we have contacted this man, just a man - a highly developed man it is true, but just a man - are here, each and every one of us, to promote and carry out the information, to give to the world the information that comes through this man. If to me, to you, it is worth while, as each of us gets a glimpse of the life, of the understanding we are to carry on to the others, then each of us is going to get what we are looking for. Our lives are going to represent the ideals and purposes that we believe in. We are the representation to the world of this work. Now, let us all get together. Let us think together. Let us be of one mind. Let us try to give to the world a little of life, of understanding, of truth. Let us try to help each individual that we contact to realize the Spirit of the Creator that is within each and every one of us. This man's work is but to emphasize, to bring out, in each individual, that understanding, that knowledge of the Divine which is within.
Now, all of these things that are spoken of we must include, for we get exactly what we ask for in these readings, the physical, the spiritual, the mental. Or, let's get all of these together. Let us give to every man what that man is seeking. Let us be able to approach the laborer in the street and give him what he needs to realize his connection with his God. Let us be able to approach the college professor and give to that man or that woman that which he or she needs to know and understand a little more of his connection with his God. Light: - we have each just a little bit. Let us pass on the results of the work, the truth, the truths that we gain through this man.
I am just as I have been for thousands and thousands of years: ready, willing, to do my part, whatever it may be.
DAVID E. KAHN:
Now, I am going to ask that a few of us, as a committee, will work as quickly as possible. If we can get 10 to 12 line suggestions on what we would like to see develop here. I am going to ask these names that I have written here to act upon this committee.
NAMES OF COMMITTEE:
Paul Kaufman, Chairman; Rudolph C. Ady; H. H. Jones; Mina Kerr; Frank H. Scattergood; Hugh Lynn Cayce; Linden Shroyer (to listen); Gladys Davis to act as Secretary.
HUGH LYNN CAYCE:
I would suggest that you take the suggestions for names of the organization and manager.
NAMES SUGGESTED FOR ORGANIZATION:
National Association of Research & Enlightenment - Gray Salter Universal Brotherhood - Mary L. Black Seekers of Divine Truth - Esther Wynne Cayce Sanatarium for Psychic Research - Gena Crews Life Society, Inc. - Ralph M. Taylor Cayce Research Society, Inc. - (?)
NAMES SUGGESTED FOR MANAGER:
Job Taylor; H. H. Jones; F. F. Bradley; Linden Shroyer; Rudolph C. Ady; Chester Robinson.
(After discussion by Mr. Kahn and Dr. McChesney, as to the problem of relieving Mr. Cayce of petty worries and annoyances, Mr. Cayce stood up to reply.)
EDGAR CAYCE: Don't get the idea that I, or the Manager of this work, can ever become an institution. You know the only example we have we can take from the Book itself. We can start from the beginning: the first man, he walked with God. So with each individual that ever accomplished anything. Jim Jones can't call up and tell John James to tell Cayce to give him a reading. Every individual has to come to the source himself. I can never be relieved of that responsibility. Each individual has to seek for himself. That has been the hardest thing in the world for me to get into Mr. Kahn's mind, that whoever it was that wanted information had to ask for himself.
We know, as has been given, when God spoke to Moses, or through Moses, when he was deserting or leaving his people, don't think that you are going somewhere else to find God. You have to seek yourself. If this work, this phenomena, which manifests through me, is of God, the individual has to seek. Now, if we are going to put it on the basis where anyone can come along and ask that somebody will ask someone else to ask, personality will enter into it. God is not an institution. He is not a personality. We are manifestations of Him, and if we minister we are ministers for God. You can't do much for anyone else unless they seek. You can always be willing, and you very smile, your very expression, gives the person the opportunity to ask for aid and help. Did you ever see anybody who had a frown on that you were willing to go up and speak anything to? One of the things I think most of about the chiropractors is that their motto is "Keep Smiling". You know, when we look for light, we have to turn our face toward the sunlight. Don't turn your back on it. And it is the same way with people sick.
I want to be free, of course. Not free that I may enjoy anything for myself - I don't mean that. I want to be free that I may be the better channel for the manifestation of the way in which I have heard it expressed.
You don't know, you can't possibly know, what this meeting has meant to me. To hear so many people express themselves about the work being something glorious! And there is one more thing: there are few men who live to be a hero to their own children. To see the love that has been expressed by that boy this evening, to know what the work has meant in his life, has made my life more worth while. I often remember, as many of you have often heard before, what Sam Jones said. He was a very, very wonderful man - a very droll man in many ways. He often expressed it in this manner: - "If you want to know whether a man has any religion or not, or if there is any stability in him, or what he professes, ask his cook, or ask his boy, and you will find out." I feel very much the same way. I just wish that you could all receive these letters from people from all walks of life. Like the one from a man that Mr. Kahn and I have known a good many years. Unless you have been through it and know something of the roughness that we see in the oil fields, you won't know how to appreciate it; but you take an individual that has strength, just physical strength, and put him in that environment and you can imagine what it makes out of him. This man was strong enough to have with one blow felled Mr. Kahn or me, either one, but he had heard something of the readings and Mr. Kahn suggested to him, "Cecil [Cecil Ringle], would you be satisfied to let the information decide?" "Sure", he said. A letter has come from that man, and he expresses himself as to how much the work has meant. He, of all people, asks that each one here impress more and more the spiritual side of life - "to impress on every individual the spiritual side". The physical was needed, as his wife was here a long while; but, as he said and as she has said, "Most of all, we have found some light that has meant more than anything else in our lives."
Also, I don't want to be relieved of your coming to me with all your burdens and your troubles. Don't think that I will be too busy. I don't say that I will answer all of them, but I am ready and willing to be used in any way that I can be of help. That is God's use, and I still insist that if this is not God's work there is no place for it and it has not part in our lives in any way, shape, form or fashion. Because we lose faith in individuals, we loosen contact with the very things we have held as ideal. Don't let's get the wrong slant on what it is all about. Know that we are not asked to drink of a cup bitterer than we are able to bear. We are not asked to bear burdens more heavy than we are able to bear. Let us be willing to answer. If I may be a channel to help you appreciate that, I pray God that I will always be so, and worthy of that I have heard expressed this evening.
DR. W. H. McCHESNEY:
I think Mr. Cayce is a little afraid of what we may have in mind. Far be it from anyone to take anything from you. It is just that we are trying to put some protection around you to keep you and to save you and make you more immune from worry. When I said I would take the telephone out of your house, it was not to keep people from approaching you but to keep people from stealing your energy by coming here and talking to you about things.
3/28/31 6:40 P.M. Following above [Par. R2] comments, Edgar Cayce gave the next reading on the work. See 254-56.
5/29/74 GD's note: On 3/21/31 Reading 254-55, Par. 12-A volunteered the name Assoc. OF Research and Enlightenment. Thomas Sugrue later suggested that it be Assoc. FOR Research and Enlightenment. On June 6, 1931 the application for State Charter went in for that name. Certificate of Incorporation was granted July 7, 1931. In Thomas Sugrue's book, [1942] THERE IS A RIVER, p. 273 of the paperback, he gives Dr. William Moseley Brown credit for naming the A.R.E. at a pre-organization meeting on June 6, 1931. I think this was a meeting just prior to the signing of the application for charter by the first trustees. It was perhaps at this meeting that the name was changed from OF to FOR, so that officially the name could be listed that way in the charter granted.
See Source File Key #254 for all current reports, supplements and professional commentaries re 254-55 which includes a complete copy of 11/02/59 Remington Rand report on first readings project to make the readings anonymous and provide a public copy for the A.R.E. Library.
7/31/96 JT's note: On this date Harold (Hal) Kelly retired as Supervisor of the Computerization and Preservation of the Readings Project. Hired June 16, 1986, Hal supervised the following eight individuals: Katherine (Cathy) Christman (8/18/86), Frances Owen* (8/26/86), Dianne Morrone (9/01/86), Robert Grant* (9/05/86), Beth Steindler (11/17/86), Sue McRae* (6/01/87), Sue Ellen Dockery (2/01/88), and Alan Smith* (9/06/88). The asterisk designates those individuals who were working at the completion of the project. All other individuals who worked part time, who were temporary or volunteered are listed in archival records.
In August of 1986 the Board reviewed and approved the newly formatted copy of the readings, and guidelines for punctuation were reviewed and approved by the Spiritual Integrity Committee. The data entry phase of the project initiated September 2, 1986 was completed on November 20, 1991.
Printing and placement of the new copy of the readings in the A.R.E. Library (approximately 11 cases of Xerox paper) was completed on June 4, 1992. At the direction of Ed Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of the A.R.E./E.C.F., work on the CD-ROM (DOS version) was initiated September 15, 1992. Ed Karn was the CD-ROM Project coordinator. The first copy of the CD-ROM (DOS) was shown to the staff on February 23, 1993 and was shortly thereafter available for sale through the A.R.E. Press. The Edgar Cayce readings, both the DOS CD-ROM and microfiche, were copyrighted February 22, 1993, changing the original copyright status of the collection from unpublished oral deliveries to published. The Macintosh edition of the CD followed in December of 1994, and the Windows version in May of 1995. Hal Kelly began the review of all four parts of the readings (Index, Background, Text, and Reports) for spelling and format discrepancies on March 8, 1993. He completed the review of all readings documents in the Master Database at 10:30 A.M. 4/03/96.
Hal Kelly's ten years of service to this body of information has been consistently characterized by the highest standards of excellence. A reading by Mr. Cayce would surely have said of Hal's work, "and the entity gained."