This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va, this 30th day of June, 1935, in accordance with request made by those present at the final meeting of the Fourth Annual Congress of the Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Florence & Edith Edmonds, Esther Wynne, Lillian Barclay, Abbie Kemp, Edith Fox, Josephine L. B. MacSherry, Alice Harris, Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Frances Y. & Frances Margaret Morrow, Louvenia & O. J. Benthall, Annie F. Chase, Margaret Wilkins, Ruth LeNoir, Helen Ellington, Myrtle Demaio, Elsie Jeffery, Anna E. Hendley, L. B. & Hugh Lynn Cayce & others, including Beth Graves, Mae Smith, Edna B. Harrell.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the interest of this group, present in this room, in aiding in bringing spiritual enlightenment to others, and the way opened through presenting the psychic work of Edgar Cayce through the Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc. You will give a discourse on how we may best present these truths to others, and will answer the questions that may be asked:
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals; and their interest in how they may be of aid or help to their fellow man.
3. In giving that as might be helpful to each, in presenting the truths of a spiritual nature as come through the channel here of Edgar Cayce, this might be answered in the one sentence, "As ye have received, so give." If that which has been thine experience has brought thee to a closer understanding of the Divine within, whether from the physical, the mental or the spiritual approach to this work, then of the abundance of thine own experience give out to those that seek; that they, too, may be filled in their own way and manner.
4. For He has promised, and His promises are sure, "What ye ask in my name, BELIEVING, ye shall receive."
5. Many are the channels, as are the minds, of those gathered here. Many make their approach in the manner in which they as individuals have heard, have experienced, have received.
6. Then all with one purpose, one aim, one desire, yet in their own WAY and manner, should present that they have received. And though someone may laugh or scoff at what ye say, BE not dismayed; for so did they at thy Lord.
7. As to manners or ways as a collective group: What ye FIND to do, with willing hands DO ye. This may to thine own mind, then, appear to be very indefinite, intangible. Yet is there not set in the experience of each that through some specific office, through some specific group as a part OF a working unit, there is specific work set for that unit?
8. As an individual, then, do THY part; REALIZING that each and every chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Thou art a portion. Hast thou fulfilled, WILT thou fulfill, that as is shown thee by thine own EXPERIENCE with same?
9. What IS the manner, the way that thou shouldst choose? As He has given, and as ye would ever hear and know, if and when ye love one another even as He hath loved you, then thou wilt be, thou hast been, thou art shown the way. Not that any dictum is set! For He hath made thee to choose; and has said, "When ye call, I will hear - when ye are my children I will be thy God."
10. So, as the work goes about in its various phases and channels to give help, aid, to this or that phase of its activities, and thou as an individual art called, or thou as an individual art impressed or feel that thou art called, then ACT! Act as thy conscience and thy heart dictate; as thou hast received, so give.
11. THUS may ye accomplish that which is set before you as a group, as an organization, as an individual.
12. For unless thy heart, thine mind, is in that ye would do, naught can come to thine efforts. For THIS is the law; as ye sow, so shall ye reap. For man may make ALL efforts, all activity, but only the Spirit of Truth, only God may give the increase, the result. For He IS the life, He IS Truth. As ye give expression of same in thine experiences, in those channels, in those promises, in those places of thine DAILY activity, the results only then can and will and do become manifested in the lives and experiences and expressions of those ye contact, as an activative and motivative influence.
13. For remember ever, the little leavening that ye do day by day leavens the whole lot.
14. So, let thine mind, thine heart, thine body, be given in THAT manner in which ye have received; so give ye to thy fellow man.
15. Ready for questions.
16. (Q) What should be the central purpose, the central ideal in presenting the work?
    (A) The Truth that shall make you free in body, in mind, and ONE WITH the living force that may express itself in INDIVIDUAL lives.
    Where there is illness of body, then give that which may make it free from those adaptings of itself TO that which has bound it in this material expression.
    Where there are those troubled in mind, with many cares, if they are seeking for the SPIRITUAL way, they - too - may find HOW in their OWN experience they may give the greater expression in THEIR application of that they have in hand.
    Where there are those who seek for the channel in which they may be the greater expression in this material plane in the present experience, they - too - may find their own selves and THEIR relationships to the holy within.
    THESE should be the central themes. As to the choice of this or that manner to be used, follow the manners which have been set through which individual groups here and there may receive enlightenment or aid in a better understanding or concept of what such information is that may be supplied through such a channel, and how it is of help. These are being opened.
    Those that are seeking for channels to aid those who in body have become under the bond of this or that affliction, this or that ill or ailment, may stress this particular line of endeavor in their activity. And some who are already aiding in such directions will soon seek the concept of some that are here. Give expression in mind. As ye have received, give out.
    You who feel that you are of little help here or there, or in manner of giving expression in thy words of mouth, then so live that ye have received that the Spirit of Truth - NOT of any body but of Truth, or Christ - may be manifested. And those seeing - though ye struggle with the cares of earth, the cares of life - will, too, take hope and find in thine effort, in thine endeavor - though stumbling it may be - HOPE, and find the face of Him who has set a way for all who will enter in, who will sit at last upon that judgement within thine self. For, "As ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me."
17. (Q) Should we try to inform or teach children about spiritual enlightenment, or merely show the way by example?
    (A) By precept AND example. More and more will there be that preparation. For in the present, as we have given, the more oft is the mind of the young trained to the material rather than to the spiritual! But in thine training do not say one thing and live another!
18. (Q) How should we present the work to one in orthodox faith?
    (A) COME and SEE! In THAT manner. Not as imposing, not as impelling, but to all, "Come and see." For only those that are in need of the answering of something within will heed. If they are satisfied in their own mire, or their own vomit, then DO NOT disturb. For only the FATHER may quicken. But so live in thine OWN life, in thine own associations; not finding fault. For if thy Father, God, had found fault with every idle word or every unkind act in thine experiences, what opportunity would YE have had in this experience?
    If ye would find and know mercy before Him, be merciful and kind to those in whatever faith or whatever group ye may find them.
    Oft ye will find, if ye so live, that others may say, "What has caused you to do this or that?" Not as a crank, not as one bereft of this or that. Live even as He, in thine social life, in thine home life, in thine business life, in thine own expressions everywhere, in such a way and manner as to bespeak that which thou would have thy God, thy Christ, to do or to be to thee.
19. (Q) What should be the approach to one who has become interested in cults, isms, etc.?
    (A) In that same manner; for what is the difference? As He has given, it will ever be found that Truth - whether in this or that schism or ism or cult - is of the One source. Are there not trees of oak, of ash, of pine? There are the needs of these for meeting this or that experience. Hast thou chosen any one of these to be the ALL in thine usages in thine own life?
    Then, all will fill their place. Find not fault with ANY, but rather show forth as to just how good a pine, or ash, or oak, or VINE, thou art!
20. (Q) How should we present it to one who has lost faith in Creative Force?
    (A) Live it! For that in the material world is the manner in which each soul, whether in this or that thought, takes cognizance of that about it. In so doing, as He has said, ye heap upon the head of him who has denied faith, who has denied the Lord, that which will make a call or desire for a change; and THEN ye may point the way that has been helpful, hopeful to thee.
    Be not overcome with those things that make for discouragements, for HE will supply the strength. Lean upon the arm of the DIVINE within thee, giving not place to thoughts of vengeance or discouragements. Give not vent to those things that create prejudice. And, most of all, be UNSELFISH! For selfishness is sin, before first thine self, then thine neighbor and thy God.
    Love ye one another. Give as ye have received.
21. We are through for the present. COME, my children! Bow thine heads! For I would BLESS thee in thine choice!

REPORTS

1. June 27-30, 1935 Congress Programme -
   PROGRAMME FOURTH ANNUAL CONGRESS ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INCORPORATED Virginia Beach, Virginia
   June 27, 28, 29, and 30, 1935
   Thursday Evening, June 27, 8 p.m. - Southland Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia.
   Musical Prelude Opening Remarks......................L. B. Cayce, President Welcome..............................Helen Ellington The Year's Report....................Manager Observations and Analyses of Physical Readings.................Dr. Frank Dobbins My Work With the Association.........Edgar Cayce [See 254-87, Par. R2] The Scope of the Association's Activities..........Chairman of the Board
   Friday Morning, June 28, 10:30 a.m. - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
   The Life Readings - Discussion Led by Hugh Lynn Cayce Psychic Reading Through Edgar Cayce - Subject to be Selected [See 5747-2 on Child Training, Delinquency]
   Friday Afternoon, June 28, 2 p.m. - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
   Glad Helpers Program (Spiritual Healing) - Florence Edmonds Presiding.
   Friday Evening, June 28, 8 p.m. - Southland Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia.
   Musical Prelude Eastern Thought for Western Minds....Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind
   Saturday Morning, June 29, 10:30 a.m. - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
   The Association's Research Studies - Discussion Led by Manager Psychic Reading Through Edgar Cayce - Subject to be Selected [See 281-24 on Spiritual Healing]
   Saturday Noon, June 29, 12 o'clock - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
   Meeting of the Board of Trustees Saturday Afternoon, June 29, 2 p.m. - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.
   Study Group Work - Round Table Discussion Led by Esther Wynne, assisted by Elsie Jeffery
   Saturday Evening, June 29, 8 p.m. - Southland Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia
   Musical Prelude Recent Developments in Psychical Research................Dr. Hereward Carrington
   Sunday Afternoon, June 30, 3 p.m. - Home of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Virginia [See 254-87 Congress rdg. for mbrs.]
   Reports from Representatives Address..............................Edgar Cayce Social Hour - Refreshments - Norfolk Study Groups Entertaining
   (Note: Morning and Afternoon Meetings are Open to Members only. The public is invited to the evening sessions.)
2. 6/27/35 Lecture by Edgar Cayce, 8:00 P.M., Southland Hotel, Norfolk, Va., at the opening meeting of the Fourth Annual Congress of A.R.E. [See used in the July 1935 BULLETIN of the Association, edited by Hugh Lynn Cayce], under the heading ASSOCIATION NEWS ITEMS.:
   MY WORK WITH THE ASSOCIATION
   By Edgar Cayce
   Many have asked me, "Why do you have an Association? What is its value? What does it have to do with your work?"
   The Association has nothing whatsoever to do with my work, save making it possible for the individual to have the information which comes through me as a channel. How? Through COOPERATION! Those who have studied the lessons prepared by our Norfolk Group No. 1, know what cooperation means. COOPERATION! When individuals work together towards something worth while, we have strength.
   I feel that my work in relation to the Association can be compared to a portion of the history in the Old Testament. When the children of Israel organized themselves under the direction of their leader, with individuals who were to act as the interpreters, two individuals - Nadab and Abihu - did not cooperate. They were destroyed. It is the same with a work of this nature. Unless the application is in sincerity it will destroy the individual tampering with it. The Association may honestly correlate the individual findings which have been good and present them to others; thus assisting the individuals who seek through this source not only to aid themselves but to aid others in gaining an understanding for themselves.
   Do not get the idea that the Association is trying to revolutionize the world; or that it is entirely different from or better than that which anyone else has. As I understand the purpose of the Association, it is like this:
   If ONE individual during the past year has been aided in finding his relationship to God, then indeed the Association has been a marvellous success. On the other hand, if this has not been done, then, it has been a failure - no matter how many members it may have or how great an outward show it may make.
   THE ASSOCIATION STANDS ON THE RESULTS INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE. The results speak for themselves, and also for the Association.
   Last month I sent out a letter to each member of the Association, asking the question, "Has the Association meant anything to you during the past year? If it has, say so. If it has not, say so." We received a great many answers. One of them reads something like this: "I received some literature from the Association when I was ready to destroy myself. The help that has come through you and the Association, not only for myself but for my little girl, has meant everything to me. And most of all I have again found my God".
   That is my affiliation with the Association. My mission, if I know it at all, is to help individuals find their relationship to the Creator. If it is necessary for some to find Him through the cure of physical ills, then we must work towards that. For, as the Great Teacher said, "Whether it is easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?"
   The cause of illness is sin. Anything which separates us from that within which makes us alive is sin. So, all forms of healing - whether through physicians of the various schools, or through spiritual healing direct from the One Source - are to enable us to find our relationship to Life itself; that is, God.
   One individual in seeking information through a reading sometime ago was given something like this: "To help you to physical strength without enabling you to find yourself would, with your frame of mind, cause you to be worse off than you now are; because you have cursed your God, because you do swear against everything that is holy."
   So, unless we can get to the seat of the matter and help an individual to change his mental attitude towards his One Source of supply, little aid may come - regardless of what channel he uses.
   For, "Many will say in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." What does He mean?
   Unless we are sincere with ourselves, with our associates, we are building such a barrier in our consciousness as to keep us trotting back to this earth plane for ages and ages to come!
   Then, my connection with the Association is to enable me to cooperate with those who sincerely seek to find the best that is within themselves, and their relationship to the Creative Forces that are alive within and about us everywhere.
   That is our whole purpose, aim and desire. You who are members of this organization, and who have read the article on our Ideal and Purposes, are finding this true.
   Not to the hordes and masses do we present this work; it never has been so with a work of this nature and never will be - only to those who seek. Here a little, there a little; line upon line, precept upon precept - it is the only way.
   Let us not worry about what others are doing, apparently in opposition to our purpose; but let us look rather to what we ourselves are doing in relation to our purpose. If we fulfil our purpose to the best of our ability, then others - seeing - will take hope also.
   Life in abundance is ours; if we will only take hold on it.
3. 8/02/35 EC sent copy of 254-87 to Miss [813] saying: "It seems that all present had an unusual experience during this rdg. I had one myself."
4. 6/85 GD's ltr. to A.R.E. members in re the Readings Preservation and Computerization Project to which they had contributed:
   EDGAR CAYCE ORGANIZATIONS P.O. Box 595 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451 Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. Edgar Cayce Foundation Atlantic University
   Dear Friend:
   Your contribution to the Readings Preservation and Computerization Project is deeply appreciated. You have joined hands with thousands of others who are helping to make this dream a reality.
   Enclosed is a special copy of a reading [254-87], suitable for framing, as a token of our appreciation. I selected this particular reading because it seems to offer appropriate words of wisdom for our time.
   With gratitude and best wishes, I am
   Sincerely yours, [signed] Gladys
   Gladys Davis Turner National Chairman

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