This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 29th day of July, 1927, in accordance with request made by self - [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of [257], of ... Co., ... Avenue, New York City. Also the Association of National Investigators, Inc., with its officers and trustees, and its ideal and purpose. You will answer the questions which I will ask you regarding this individual and his association with these.
2. EC: We have the body and enquiring mind of [257]. This we have had before. We also have the Association of National Investigators, Inc., with the ideal and purpose of such an association.
3. In considering the association of ANY individual with the ideas and purposes of such an association - and we find that this individual is numbered among those of the officers and trustees - if such an individual's ideas and purposes are NOT compatible with the ideal and purpose of such an organization, then that individual should NOT be associated in ANY manner, shape or form, with such - and as to how much one's purpose and ideal DOES compare with the purposes of association, then to that extent should such an individual lend self in every way and manner to further such lessons; for we find the Association is organized, formed, for a definite purpose: To study psychic phenomena in all its phases, and to gain lessons from same that these lessons may be applied in the lives of individuals as respecting their health and the educational purposes of same, see? When other ideals or other purposes are first and foremost in the mind of any individual as respecting the purpose of such an organization, then the ideals and purposes of that individual are not in keeping with the ideals of that being attempted. The INDIVIDUAL is ACCOUNTABLE IN SELF as to what its ideas, purposes or ideals are, and is NOT to be dominated or persuaded, or forced, through any condition, to give even a purpose, or word, toward other than its INDIVIDUAL ideal and purpose concerning same for, as has been given, God created man in His own image, and gave, "I have set before thee - this day - good and evil. Choose THOU whom thou will serve, whether the ideals as are set in His way and Spirit, or the desires of the flesh."
4. Ready for questions.
5. (Q) What is the attitude of [257] and his association with members and officers of the Association, etc., for the development of the association of National Investigators?
   (A) As given, this should be answerable, and ANSWERED, within self - and if the ideas and ideal of Association is compatible, or the entity or body mind desires to make self compatible to those ideas and ideals, study to show THYSELF approved UNTO the ideal! for the answer MUST COME FROM WITHIN as to whether the desire is to make self one WITH that universal force or not.
6. (Q) What benefit will the work derive from the association of [257] with the work?
   (A) That as [257] administers and spends as toward the purpose and ideal of the Association. Think not to do evil that GOOD may arise from same and that the evil will not rise within thine own heart.
7. (Q) Has [257] been sincere in his efforts to assist the work and family of Edgar Cayce?
   (A) This is answerable within self, and the fruits and results of same show for themselves. Let the fruits speak, for the tree that beareth fruit is the living ensample of the efforts put forth. Those conditions as arise from the efforts of the entity toward being of assistance are proof beyond question of what the sincere desire or the intent and purpose of the body [257] has been towards such phenomena.
8. (Q) Will [257] be able to aid in the upbuilding of the hospital and kindred works?
   (A) If [257] desires to he may - for, as has oft been given the body and the mind of [257], the body is of the chosen people that may draw nigh unto Him that is the giver of all good and perfect gifts - and in making self one with those purposes as are set in Him, and as the purposes of the Association are compatible WITH the ideals of the individual and are made one, think not that the service of the body, or mind, is to be governed other than by that ideal as must be set in the oneness of the purpose of the Association to make the Association and its teachings, and its tenets, and its educational forces, and powers, and its benefits to individuals through the application of information as obtained, or the regaining of health and strength and knowledge - and that in this ALONE - and in this service alone, IRRESPECTIVE of other INDIVIDUALS' ideas or ideals! As was said of old, set this within thine own heart: "Let OTHERS do as they may, but for ME and MY HOUSE, we will SERVE that purpose as is compatible with those truths as have been set, and as are gained from the DIVINE, and NOT as an ideal or purpose of any individual associated or connected with same! Let thine OWN heart speak, and NOT the word of another - for UNTO the purposes as are set from on high is the body accountable unto the divine forces for that as is enacted in the flesh, body or mind! Make thine HEART right and one with Him, and set that ideal as above ALL.
9. (Q) Why does a seeming antipathy exist between this body and the President of the Association, [900]?
   (A) For the ideas of each are viewed from a different angle. Both being right and both being in error. Set thine OWN house in order, and through the results of that obtained by SETTING thine house in order, let thy WORKS constrain thine BROTHER to do likewise!
10. (Q) Should any member joining the Association be told if he does not donate he cannot be a trustee?
    (A) These - and such kindred questions - are not even compatible with the ideas and ideals!
11. (Q) What should be the attitude of the officers in seeking donations to the Institute?
    (A) Attitude of service to man, and through same - as has oft been given - is the highest service to the Creator.
12. (Q) Can [257] receive donations from people he has introduced during the past years?
    (A) Provided [257] presents same as a SERVICE to mankind, and not as "I accomplish so much for so much." Let the body-mind, the body-consciousness, gain this lesson: That "I must be made one with the I AM," rather than the I made to appear as the representative of the I AM, see? for let that mind be in YOU which was in Him as gave those lessons as were written upon the tables of stone - for this begins with the first and the greatest commandment of all: Set not SELF in seeking or in obtaining, or in any manner set self beyond or a JUDGE of ANY man's, or of any INDIVIDUAL'S, or of any ideas above or beyond that first set, "Thou salt love the Lord thine God with all thine heart, thine MIND, and THINE BODY!" Act, talk, and BE as that as set first, see? Not position, not in power, not in might - for He that makes HIMSELF of no ESTATE may become through same the greatest of all - for, as has been given, "Though He were the Son, yet learned He OBEDIENCE through the things He suffered."
    Set not self's opinion, set not self's position as being of aught - "but that I may be USED as the channel of BLESSINGS TO OTHERS! Not as to how may I GAIN blessings from service to others, but how may I be used as the CHANNEL of blessings to others."
    In the ideas, in the purposes, as are set forth in this Association, these are as the tentative ideas of SERVICE. Wilt thou apply, and let thine mind, thine heart, thine body, be used as a channel of blessings to others? Answer - ANSWER - from within!
13. (Q) Advise [257] just what his duties are as trustee and as to the capacities designated.
    (A) In applying self in the ways and manners as has been designated for any officer or trustee, or anyone to whom there is given this OPPORTUNITY - not a burden, not a tax, not as a labor - but as an opportunity to be a channel through which others may gain an idea and a manner of closer approach to the thrones of grace - mercy, peace, joy - as come from service to man, and from keeping the precepts of the Creator.
14. (Q) Give a detailed plan by which this body is to work for the best interests of the Association.
    (A) This has been given. Work the plan! Work SELF well first - for the body, the mind, the heart must first be compatible with the purposes and the ideals as are set forth for the enlightenment of those who would seek to know more of their associations with God and man - for same may be applied, same may be gained, through these sources - for God is Spirit, and seeks such to worship Him, in mind, in heart, in body.
15. (Q) Should the body invest in the lots adjoining the hospital?
    (A) As has been given, this is well to be done. The entity must answer for self as to whether this MAY be done or not. It has been given that through this means MONEYS may be made for individuals. Individuals must answer within themselves as to their conduct towards such. These, as we see here, would be well - from the material standpoint. What will be DONE with the material gain is the answer that the INDIVIDUAL must make first.
16. (Q) What has the body accomplished for the good of the work and welfare of Edgar Cayce during the past ten or twelve years?
    (A) As has been given, the results speak for themselves - and, as is seen, the entity, the body, the mind of [257], should become conscious of this one fact: Each individual gains its concept of how much or how little has been gained by the entity as respecting the phenomena, the work, or the body individual, according to its knowledge, its concept of the purpose and intent for which such labors, or such ideals, are directed towards such conditions. See?
17. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. 6/06/27 He obtained Business Rdg. 257-19, Par. 6-A of which pertained to the Edgar Cayce work and possible investment in property near the Cayce Hospital or the Cavalier Hotel in Va. Beach.
2. 7/26/27 He submitted further questions, saying: "I told [900]...he said he, [195] and [953] objected to buying you any interest at all, but every dollar should go to the hospital and you should arrange to live on your salary only [GD's note: $200 a month] until at least the proposition pays. So far that is entirely up to you and to [900], but when he informs me that if I can afford to buy an interest in the lots, I should not do that, but I should give it to the hospital instead, that is a different thing and I so told him ...He has been the only one so far to make money out of it his new business, the purchase of his stock seat, the stocks he has played, all are on his 'dreams' and readings explaining them. So he should put up more money while he has it and await others who will do the same. He states that he, [195] and [953] have made up their minds that I'll pay quick or get out..."

REPORTS

1. 8/04/27 He wrote: "It is a wonderful rdg. and it deserves a lot of consideration which I will certainly give it."
2. 8/11/27 See 900-331, Par. 4-A, 5-A in re allowing [257] to obtain rdgs.
3. 8/13/27 He wrote reporting on 257-19, then said: "You cannot get away from it. The information is Par. 4-A, and they will all learn that there is no 'I am's' as the reading said. No one person can dictate to the forces. We all get what is coming to us, good or bad and I always conduct myself in such a way as to be able to expect the biggest 'portion of good'."
4. 8/15/27 He referred Mrs. [4598].
5. 8/18/27 He referred Mr. [4639].
6. 8/19/27 See 900-336 indicating that neither [900] nor [257] had heeded the greater lesson given in the rdgs.
7. 8/22/27 He referred Miss [2071] and Miss [212].
8. 9/09/27 He referred Mr. [5540] and Mr. [4485].
9. 9/14/27 Wife [903]'s letter: "I'm certain that [900] and [257] can only become reconciled through your presence. They are so alike in temperament and if you continue to show the tact and diplomacy you have in the past week, ever keeping the ideals of the organization in the foreground, I'm sure you will succeed in bringing about a 'reunion'."
10. 9/22/27 He phoned for 903-4 for his wife.
11. 10/23/27 He obtained Business Rdg. 257-21, and Dream Rdg. 257-22, Par. 6-A, 7-A as re [900].
12. 11/02/27 He sent EC a chair for his living room.
13. 11/23/27 He wrote: "This is the first payment on my life membership...For your information, [900] and I have an appointment for sometime next week."
14. 9/18/28 See correspondence under 900-406 Reports in re [257]'s attitude toward EC work, etc.
15. 12/03/28 See 900-417, Par. 2-A interpreting [195]'s dream in re [257]'s attitude toward EC work.
16. 5/07/29 Mr. [257] wrote EC: "Please take up with me at the next meeting the advisability of making business rdgs. and dream interpretation rdgs. the same price. This is just a memo for your file." [GD's note: Notice rivalry and jealousy always on the part of Messrs. [257] and [900] in re their respective attention from EC.]
17. 7/21/30 See 257-59, Par. 32-A, 33-A indicating [257]'s choice of another broker.
18. 8/27/30 See his ltr. under 900-465 Reports.

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