This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. & Ocean, Va. Beach, Va., this 6th day of February, 1932, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [257].

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

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [257], who is now at the Grove Park Inn, at Asheville, N.C. You will answer the questions which he has submitted regarding his mental and material affairs.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [257] - this we have had before, and many of those conditions mentally and materially that affect, or are being affected by, the activities and associations of the body. Ready for questions.
3. (Q) Please advise me how to keep present interests with Lauterstein, without jeopardizing the Zerozone future or the Pittsburgh Chemical Corp., and yet have no other relations with him.
   (A) There should be due considerations given as respecting the interest that is held by Lauterstein. Where there have been safeguards made that protect the body [257]'s interests, these may be easily handled by the proper considerations given, acting ever in the manner as you would be done by.
   In the Pittsburgh Chemical Corporation, these are not so easily defined; yet there may be an amicable agreement reached, once there is sufficient capital interested by [257] that may make of same a firm financial basis for the operation of the corporation. Still, consideration must be given Lauterstein for work done - but let the agreements be such as to safeguard any interference by him or his associates in the activities of the corporation in the future. The best deals as possible will have to be made. As to what these will be, how they will come about, to be sure depends upon the attitudes that are held by all concerned when agreements are being reached. Do not jeopardize self or self's associates with any slipshod or promise of agreement, but have a definite understanding as respecting same.
4. (Q) Will the severing of this relation bring better associations from my friends who long advised the separation?
   (A) Provided the separation is made definite, and that the body does not give the impressions - by intimation, by effect or by act - that the associations are other than entirely separate. That the association has been well, is dependent - as has oft been given - upon the body [257]'s USING those lessons that have been learned in the proper way and manner. As given, learn or gain from the association the lesson of sagacity, tenacity, of quiet working - but DO NOT learn those of the UNDERHANDED manner - as some transactions have in indicated. Do not attempt to cover up; for, as has been given, that that has been done in secret will be shouted from the housetop. Remember many of the lessons as were taught thee in the distribution of those products to state institutions in the old store, and keep thine own skirts not only APPARENTLY CLEAN - but FRESH, and well ironed by the spirit of truth. [GD's note: Referring to his early experiences in his father's grocery store?]
5. (Q) Have I overcome sufficient karma (as suggested by the Forces) to now proceed on my journey on this plane without Lauterstein? [See 257-10, etc.]
   (A) If the lesson has been learned well, to more often keep the mouth shut. THINK, but don't talk too much!
6. (Q) What relation has karma to my present development, and how can I overcome karma?
   (A) This possibly to the entity, to the body-consciousness of [257], would require a whole dissertation in itself. The body little understands the MEANING of karma - but to answer same in a few words: That depends upon whether the ACTUAL of the innate forces are kept in accord with that not as HEARSAY, but as to that KNOWN by the body to be GOD'S way! Karma is, then, that that has been in the past builded as INDIFFERENCE to that KNOWN to be right! Taking chances, as it were - "will do better tomorrow - this suits my purpose today - I'll do better tomorrow." Karma is that; making that correction.
7. (Q) What is the present development of the mind and soul, as compared with two or three years ago?
   (A) That would depend upon from what VISION this was taken, and the comparison as the standard, or the standard of comparison. The DESIRE is much more along the lines of spirituality. The ACTIVITIES are much perturbed by that which is being felt, or being awakened within the inner man. The ability to USE the knowledge as being obtained is still yet JUST blossoming. Be WILLING to be led; not by SPIRITS, but by the SPIRIT of God - Good - Right!
8. (Q) How can I still further advance into the perfection I seek to attain in the Father's eyes and the fellowman's?
   (A) Put into practice day by day that as IS known. Not some great deed or act, or speech, but line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. Not as sounding of trumpets as to what is being accomplished, but in the quiet of thine own conscience lay the plans for that that may be accomplished, and in the acts day by day so build that as conforms to HIS way; for, as He has given, those that seek to know the Lord and do His biddings shall not go empty-handed; neither shall his seed beg bread.
9. (Q) In view of the attitude of the Blumenthal brothers and associates, in spreading propaganda at Virginia Beach, should any of my associates refute their statements - or will the Forces look after the situation?
   (A) The Lord helps him who helps himself! [See 254-61 Reports.]
10. (Q) How can I now reach the material success in 1932 to be able to better carry out my ideals?
    (A) So act that thine ideals are in accord with HIS will. Let the success, let the bounty or the little, be in HIS hands. THAT the better way.
11. (Q) Should I personally endorse bond, as suggested by Lester Parsons in Norfolk, to dissolve Ass'n of Nat'l Investigators?
    (A) That should be an answer of own self. NOT from here.
12. (Q) Will the Blumenthal present method of receptions and newspapers injure the work of Edgar Cayce or the Association?
    (A) Let that take care of itself.
13. (Q) Regarding the answer to Par. 9-A [257-78], "The Lord helps those who help themselves", please explain what is meant.
    (A) Just what is said! Do as the dictates of thine own conscience! With and after prayerful consideration about same, then act?
14. (Q) Should I suggest to [437] that his friends take over or build a new hospital, or just carry on the work as now being conducted?
    (A) Let THAT be also from the dictates of their own conscience. There must come to each individual that contacts same, that concept individually of the needs for the propagation of such work, such phenomena. In unison of cooperation, let those then act as IS the action of their OWN dictates - See? Each must see the needs, the necessities, that are PRESENT in such undertakings. Then, as these are builded in the lives of those that contact same, so let them act as seemeth good in the light of that THEY have received; for he that is ungrateful BEARETH the greater sin.
15. (Q) How can I improve my ability to handle Carolina Wood Products Corp. alone, or without aid of Lauterstein?
    (A) This, as is seen, is necessary for cooperative associations with those who see the policies and the undertakings of the association IN the undertaking. As is seen, these may be handled WITH those who are considering, who have, who HOLD the interest in same - see?
16. (Q) Which of the two groups at Asheville with me now should I work out proposition with?
    (A) That one that is more in accord with the ideas of the superintendent of the Asheville operations.
17. (Q) Can I have full confidence in Louis Francis, Superintendent of the Carolina Wood Products Co., in spite of break with Ben Lauterstein?
    (A) If word is given, you can!
18. (Q) How long an option to purchase factory should I ask for?
    (A) Five years.
19. (Q) What basis, and what price?
    (A) That should be worked out, or agreed upon, as a sliding scale.
20. (Q) What kind of contract should I ask for to protect myself, and what should it contain?
    (A) As given, a sliding scale, according to the needs and to the understandings and the conditions as surround the thing at the present time.
21. (Q) Should I join in partnership with E. J. Tree of Chicago, now in Asheville?
    (A) That depends a great deal upon conditions and what the determinations are as to what is to be done with same.
22. (Q) With whom should I consult for advice on the general deal, for my protection?
    (A) Those who have been given as the legal advisors, as respecting the associations of self in many connections and relations.
23. (Q) When and where best place to consummate deal?
    (A) It may be done in the present, though there will be the necessity of making those Chicago connections as respecting the group that is satisfactory.
24. (Q) Is it necessary to consider Federal Wood Products Corp. in the deal?
    (A) Not absolutely necessary, but leaves an outlet - as is understood.
25. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self (2 copies - one to Asheville special delivery, and one to home)
    Copy to File
    Copy to Ass'n

BACKGROUND

1. 12/30/31 P.M. He obtained 257-77.
2. 2/04/32 He submitted further questions.

REPORTS

1. 2/06/32 He wired: "Have advised Parsons bond obtained."
2. 2/12/32 See 437-3, Par. 19-A--21-A in re future ass'n of self and and [257] with Pittsburgh Chemical Co.
3. 2/15/32 He wrote:
   I want to thank you very much for Mother's reading [325-40] and also for my own. Both of them were splendid readings and both were a great help to me.
   I have definitely determined to follow the reading and to cut off all past associations with parties mentioned. They have been eating my lungs out of late and there is no point in my having them associated because I am compelled to sit in the meetings with them anyway, and make the decisions, so why not have my friends with me instead?
   They have offered to replace me in the Chemical Co. without any stock of any kind left in my possession so you see, they do not mean to be fair. Their agreement was with me that they would get 50-50 of the stock for financing the Company. I gave Lauterstein 32%, Boskey 16%, so you see they got approximately 50%. Now they want to go and get the finances to run the business and want me to get out of the Company, when they really are only doing what they promised to do in the beginning, so I therefore will remain in the business and insist upon them living up to their contact.
   (2) I certainly shall remember every statement made to me in not forgetting their interest and I will do the fair and square thing at all times.
   I believe that the present management, as the reading said, want me to remain with them so I will keep you informed from time to time as to our movements.
4. 2/26/32 He obtained 257-79.

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