(Q) Memberships: It has been suggested that the Associate
Membership be raised from $20 to $50 and include: a. one
first physical reading and all check readings during the year
that are needed; b. or one Life Reading and one check life
during the year. On this yearly membership further readings
for self or other members of the family would be $20.
(A) It has been given again and again, and we would refer
those to that as was given when the memberships were last
referred to or built up. There has not been that conforming
to those rules and regulations as respecting the Active
Memberships, as to their contributions or their regular
notifications of their dues where they have not been kept.
But to increase memberships or to increase prices in this or
that manner is to become money-minded, is to become rather
with those inclinations for the considering of the material
above the spiritual and the mental.
As has been given, when there is the conviction in the heart
of those that have received aid through these sources, these
channels, and there is sought and there is given the
opportunity to such for their contributions for the up-keep,
the developing of all phases, this should come of itself;
and not by a price set on a piece of paper that may be
nothing or life itself!
The increase should come as of God's work, and NOT of man's
building up! For when it is put by price into such a
position as to cause ANY to feel it is only for those who
have been given something of this world's means, then ye are
defeating thine own purpose and you have run away with the
PHYSICAL without considering the mental and spiritual body
of thine organization!
This ye can see from the observation of an individual as a
human being. If the body-mental, the body-physical and the
body-spiritual COORDINATE, ye have a body that increases in
wisdom, in stature, in the growth of material things - and
well-balanced! These are the results of keeping each portion
throughout some experience cooperating and coordinating.
What is thy first lesson? COOPERATION!
Then let each member, Active or Associate, cooperate. And if
ye choose to make others, make them of a different character
and not with a price upon those who are afraid, those who are
seeking help, bodily, mentally, or even physically! Do not
set prices!
(Q) Would you advise then leaving the memberships as they
are at present?
(A) As they are set up, but we would at least be consistent
with that ye would teach and do something about your Active
Membership!
For ye have an Active Membership that if ye would give them
the opportunity to do that even you have had them promise,
you wouldn't be worrying about so much of the realm of that
activity for carrying on! And if you would create for those
who are interested, those who find help, those that may seek
for places, conditions that may give them an opportunity to
put this world's goods to active service - impress upon thine
associates and thy Associate Membership that the
contributions to same may be subtracted from their tax.
And if ye would then set yourself as making free from tax to
contributors, would ye tax the poor fellow that hasn't the
means to meet the daily needs? God loves him as well as
those who have the millions. For each is as precious in His
sight! But how readest thou the law? That thou hast
promised, FULFIL - or it becomes a sin!
(Q) Would it be wise to allow members of Active Study Groups
to have the privilege of securing readings at lower fees than
the Active and Associate members? The group unit membership
with sponsored readings has not been successful. Please
discuss.
(A) Much of this lies in the fact that so oft those seekers,
or that seek, are looking for a new coin, a new something to
be handled, or handed them.
It should never be that anyone that really seeks or desires
is hindered by the price or by the payment of any fee. What
said the Master to those that saw the poor widow cast in
threepence? "She has given more than them all." But what?
Let those that seek, where they are sponsored, not seek
because they are ill or because it may be a miracle. The
miracle must be in the individual seeking, not in those that
bring same! Was Andrew raised above Peter because he brought
Peter to the Christ? or did the bringing raise Andrew to
that of being that upon which Peter continued to lean?
So the MIRACLE that happens happens in the seeker, not the
one that leads him to this.
Then, the study groups or any portions of the activities
that have failed to prepare the individual who has come have
failed - rather than the individual that has come!
(Q) Realizing that a number of charity and research
readings must always be given, would it be better to
provide a research member blank for such individuals to sign
and leave them free to continue as they are able to the
general work of the organization, or would it be better to
establish a more rigid policy of sponsored readings on some
Active or Associate Membership? Please discuss.
(A) Ye have so many irons in your fire that ye lose sight -
in the study of it - as to what the first principles are that
have been set forth. If ye will conform to those principles
in the considering of all those that seek, or those that
undertake such activities, ye will find an easy way - as it
were.
As this: Groups, societies, organizations, are continually
being founded that are called in some groups as clinical
cases. They are the ones that are studied, they are the ones
upon whom experimentations are made.
Ye have in your own organization societies, colleges, such
organizations. Ask THEM then to finance, ask them then to
study, ask them to supply to the indigent ones not only the
payment for your information but for that which applied in
their experience may bring life and hope, spiritually,
mentally and physically, into the experience of individuals.
Hence it becomes then more and more the rigid sponsorship.
For to have knowledge (as has been given again and again) and
to do nothing about it, to all it becomes sin!
(Q) How can we avoid making too great a distinction between
the Active and Associate members? On our present plan and
the proposed one, we give the Active Member more for less
fees.
(A) This is because there has not been the carrying out of
the purpose and the ways that have been described.
First then study very carefully, very prayerfully, that as
has been presented. Set the purposes and the ideals in
line with that ye have proclaimed and thine ideals; thy
memberships, thy fees, thy publications, thy activities as
ye call "for charity". But do not hinder ANY soul.
We are through for the present.
Three copies to Hugh Lynn Cayce
Copy to Ass'n file
REPORTS
12/36 HLC sent this ltr. with the Nov. 1936 Bulletin to the
members. In the Nov. and Dec. Bulletin he quoted from EC's
lectures MY SOUL [Given
11/17/29 at the Cayce Hospital], FATE
[Given
3/01/31], WHAT IS SOUL POWER? [Given
2/03/35], and
quoted the entire Work Rdg. 254-92:
To the Members of the Association:
At this season of the year many of us are stirred more than
usual by feelings of peace and good-will toward our
fellowmen. Though we realize that in many places
throughout the world men are destroying one another and that
poverty and desolation are not banished from our very door
steps, the spirit of joy and gladness of this season gives
us new hope and stimulates new desires for service.
Whatever your belief or creed we are sure that you will
respect the ideal and principle which have been the
foundation of the work of Edgar Cayce. Many of you have
never met him, except through his readings and letters.
Those of you who know him intimately will agree with us that
he strives to live in accord with the great spiritual law of
the universe so often mentioned in his psychic readings in
varying terms: "Spiritual growth results not from studying
and learning cosmic laws, but from daily application of that
known."
This Bulletin brings you a series of extracts from Mr. Edgar
Cayce's talks which we believe will help you to know the man
and his purposes a little better. The simplicity of his
words flows from a deep spiritual understanding born of
experience. His "philosophy" is expressed in his daily
services. His power is born of undying faith.
Thus we send you the season's greetings and best wishes for
the coming year.
Sincerely,
THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.
1/08/37 Hugh Lynn Cayce to Study Groups:
Dear Friends:
We stand on the threshold of a new year. As individuals it
is a time for checking up on activities of the past year and
for setting new goals for the year ahead, so in the group
work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment,
Incorporated, it comes time for modifications in our program
and the establishment of definite objectives for 1937.
Some phases of the group activity that have proven
unsatisfactory are being discarded, while other parts of our
program that have proven helpful need strengthening. We are
able to look back over 1936, knowing that marked progress has
been made and upon the firm foundation of results build
toward a fuller, more helpful program for the coming year a
program that we hope you will help to carry forward.
Before outlining briefly some of the new developments in the
group work let us reaffirm the major purpose of all group
activity as sponsored by the Association. The sole purpose
of group work is for individual soul development through a
study and PRACTICAL APPLICATION of the spiritual laws of the
Universe. Stress is placed upon the need for INDIVIDUAL work
which is necessary for any true realization of the existence
and power of the human soul.
A few definite changes have been made in the group programs
in which you will be interested. Distribution of the work
has been a keynote in the new plans.
1. Groups should not be allowed to increase beyond twelve
members.
2. Every member should thoroughly understand and be in
agreement with the Ideal and Purposes of the Group.
3. Organization
A. Chairman - Conducts meetings and handles the
business.
B. Secretary-Treasurer - Keeps minutes of meetings and
handles finances.
C. Leader of Lesson Discussion - Leads the 30 minute
discussion of the regular lessons.
D. Leader of Bible Discussion - The following passages of
scripture have been recommended in readings for careful study
in Groups. Ten minutes of each meeting should be devoted to
reading and discussing a short selection.
Deuteronomy
31-34
Life of Joshua
Psalms 1; 2; 24; 91; 23; 67; 150.
John
14-17
Jude
Revelation
E. Leader of Research Study (Notes will be furnished). -
Leads a 20 minute discussion for three months on one of the
following selected topics. For each of those topics thorough
outlines with references will be furnished.
[Hugh Lynn Cayce]
