This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 9th day of May, 1934, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the possibilities, plans, arrangements, speakers who have consented and may consent to take part, and those handling the arrangements for the Third Annual Congress of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., to be held June 28, 29, 30 and July 1. You will give us such information and counsel at this time as will enable us to make this Congress of the greatest possible interest and help to our members. You will answer the questions which will be presented regarding it.
2. EC: Yes. We have much of that contemplated by those in charge of arrangements for the Annual Congress of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Incorporated.
3. As we find, there are many problems that will present themselves at this meeting that will be of an unusual nature, for the Congress and for those interested in and who are contemplating the activities.
4. But this, as we find, should be something of the attitude of those in charge of the arrangements:
5. First there should be chosen, from the local or Norfolk groups, the active groups in the arrangements. Also the Manager or Chairman should act in the capacity of the leader of all Committees that might be appointed for reception arrangements, program and the like. And this should be done in order that all emergencies may be met as they arise.
6. Those that have consented to act in the capacity of speakers, as we find, are very well chosen as to the time and as to subjects that may be chosen by the speakers at the times that will be allotted to each of these. However, there should be an active part taken by Committees on each evening or afternoon that the various periods are assigned for the varied activities. And not a speaker only, yet not such as to make for interference, but music and entertainment and such arrangements should be made for each meeting that would be in keeping with the IDEALS of the members of the Association in reference to the subjects treated by those at such periods.
7. As to what subjects would be allotted to the speakers, these should be - as indicated - rather the choice of the speakers, when there is presented to them that the organization in its inception is a research organization, but certainly in itself has ideals that should limit what would be spoken by such speakers.
8. As to which of those accepted should be the first, that should again be considered by one in charge or chairman or Manager as to what is in keeping or in store for those who give of themselves for this particular period of activity. And not according to subject matter or the approach. For this may be well broken by the other activities during a given period. Yet those that require a full allotted time would be broken only by that which has been indicated.
9. As to the type of subjects that would be used as the basis for information through the psychic channel that the Association is presenting at this particular time, these should be rather on this nature, to be chosen by those present or by the Program Committee or those that are allotting the time for the activities of the various subjects:
10. THE SOURCE, OR SOURCES, OF PSYCHIC INFORMATION. (That's one!)
11. WHAT IS PSYCHIC INFORMATION, AND WHAT IS THE RELIABILITY OF SUCH INFORMATION? (That isn't worded properly, but make it so.) Another:
12. HOW IS THE SUBJECT OF PSYCHISM AND SPIRITUALISM AKIN? Another:
13. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AN ORGANIZATION FOR RESEARCH INTO SUCH SUBJECTS AS PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, SPIRITUALISM OR SPIRITISM?
14. Such subjects as these, with the type of speakers, the character of those that may be present at such meetings, should meet with the minds of most of those; answering many subjects.
15. Another might be: THE CHURCH AND SPIRITUALISM, or THE CHURCH AND SPIRITISM. Either of these subjects might also be presented for consideration, and take a vote as to which one; so it will not be a prearranged affair. Don't make any prearrangements, for your subjects, or many will think you are curious anyhow - don't be any more curious than you can help!
16. For, that which may be given through ANY channel either IS or ISN'T worth while. Invite the LOCAL organization known as the Spiritualists to be on the program. Invite the ministers, whether they accept or reject, to be on the program. Let them cuss it out all they wish!¹ Be OPEN with that thou doest, for ye seek to do good to thy fellow man. Invite those of the profession; that is, the medical, osteopathic, or any of these that may be chosen, see? Invite those of your LOCAL organization, as should be formed by that period, to be among those. Hold the evening services (or meetings, if you choose to call them such) in Norfolk. The readings should be held in the place of your medium (if you choose to call him such.)
17. Have the last meeting at the Beach; that's the group organization work, in the Sunday afternoon meeting, see?
18. Ready for questions.
19. (Q) Is the plan to obtain subscriptions for Congress funds the best way to handle the financial arrangements?
    (A) The better way would be to take a free will offering at each meeting. Don't advertise; only take it as a free will offering; that is, at the meetings in Norfolk.
    There should be, other than in the data of the organization, an invitation to every member - Associate and Active - to be present. This will go for one cent. Even if it's on a post card.
20. (Q) Should stress be placed on any particular phase of the work which we have overlooked in arranging this program?
    (A) As we have outlined, cover all phases of same.
21. (Q) Which of F. Homer Curtiss' suggested lectures would be the best to give on Saturday evening June 30 - Personal Survival with Physical Proof or Thought Power and How to Use It.
    (A) The physical proof. Personal Survival.
22. (Q) Do you find that our plans for handling the meeting of Active Members for election of Trustees on Saturday afternoon June 30 are satisfactory?
    (A) Satisfactory.
23. (Q) Any advice regarding the handling of publicity for the Congress?
    (A) As indicated, be well that there be obtained from the principal speakers a photograph or a cut; use this in the

    local or Norfolk papers - and a notice may be given in the local paper. Be well that at least one of the last speakers at the last Congress be asked to be on the program. Have continuity of activity, see?
24. (Q) Which one of these would be the best?
    (A) Either one.
25. (Q) Any other suggestions, counsel or advice at this time?
    (A) Be sincere. Be consistent, yet be persistent. These are not mere terms or words. The activity that is sought in a meeting, as indicated when first given that such should be the annual program, either has a place or it hasn't. Then, in the notification to each member, indicate it is felt by the Program Committee that this meeting has a place, and WHY that member asked should be present.
    This gives (if presented properly) the purposes and aims, and WHY such an organization has a place in the affairs of a well-balanced, sincere seeker for truth. Not, as has been given, because it is presenting any particular line of thought, but that all character of thought is presented for the consideration of individuals, and that the Association itself does not stand as sponsoring any individual's ideas on the subjects that may be presented, but is presenting them to the public for the consideration in the light of their own experience.
26. (Q) Give such advice and counsel as might be best at this time in meeting the obstacles that will arise?
    (A) As has been pointed out, that is the job of the various committees.
27. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Work book
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [GC said during above reading she heard whispering in her ear.]

REPORTS

1. 4/09/93 See Source File Key #254 for Wall Street Journal article (Review & Outlook section) "A Visit From Miss Maclaine" re 254-74.

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