This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Barrett, in Washington Manor, Washington Park, Norfolk, Virginia, this 14th day of September, 1931, in accordance with request made by those present. These individuals came together for the purpose of forming a group to study the information received through the psychic forces of Edgar Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie Barrett, C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Helena Storey, Hannah Miller, Florence Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, Mrs. A. F. Black, Mrs. F. M. Freeman, Mrs. T. P. W. Morrow, C. W. Rosborough, Mrs. C. W. Rosborough, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Davis.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered in this room, who desire - as a group - to be guided through these forces as to how they may best be a channel in presenting to the world the truth and light needed. You will answer the questions which this group will ask.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group - as a group - as gathered here, seeking to be a channel that they, as a group, as individuals, may be - and give - the light to the waiting world.
3. As each have gathered here - as each gathered here has been associated in their various experiences in the earth, as each has prepared themselves for a channel through these experiences - so may they, as a group, combine their efforts in a cooperative manner to give to the individual, the group, the classes, the masses, that as they receive, as they have gained in this experience. [See 262-3, Par. 18-A, 19-A.]
4. To some are given to be teachers, to some are given to be healers, to some are given to be interpreters. Let each, then, do THEIR job and their part WELL, IN the manner as is given TO them, knowing - in the forces as manifest through them - they become, then, a light in THEIR own respective action and field of endeavor. As the forces manifest in their various ways and manners, to some will be given those of prophecy, to some will be given those of teaching, to some will be given those of ministration, to some as ministers. Then, in the ways as they present themselves; for, as has been given, he that receives shall give, he that cometh together in that name that will give, even as has been promised, "as I have given and am IN the Father, so in ME may YE do as I have done, and GREATER things than I have done shall ye do, for I go TO the Father, and ye in me, as ye ask in my name, so shall it be DONE unto you!"
5. Then, as there cometh in the minds, hearts, souls of each, so will there be given - in that selfsame hour - THAT as YE shall do!
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) Outline for us the steps which we must take that we may become more of one mind, that we may be of the greatest influence for good.
   (A) As should be for each to learn that first LESSON as should be given unto others: Let all dwell together in mind as of one purpose, one aim; or, FIRST learn cooperation! Learn what that means in a WAITING, in a WATCHFUL, in a world SEEKING TO know, TO see, a sign. There, as has been given, will only BE the sign GIVEN TO those that have drunk of the cup that MAKES for cooperation in EVERY SENSE of enlightening a seeking desiring world. Cast not pearls before swine, neither be thou over-anxious for the moment. WAIT ye on the Lord; for, as has been promised, he that SEEKS shall find, and ye WILL receive - each of you - powers from on high. USE that in a constructive, in a manner as befits that desire of the group, of each. Think not of thine OWN desire, but let that mind be in you as was in Him, as may be in all those SEEKING the way.
8. (Q) If it be acceptable to the [higher or universal] forces, direct us as to how we may best prepare a course of lessons for this and similar groups.
   (A) First let each prepare themselves and receive that as will be given unto each in THEIR RESPECTIVE sphere of development, of desire, of ability. The first LESSON - as has been given - learn what it means to cooperate in ONE mind, in GOD'S way; for, as each would prepare themselves, in meditating day and night, in "What wilt thou have ME do, O Lord?" and the ANSWER WILL be DEFINITE, clear, to each as are gathered here, will they seek in His name; for He is AMONG you in this present hour, for all as SEEK are in that attitude of prayer. Pray YE, that ye may be ACCEPTABLE to Him in thy going ins and coming outs; for holy is he that seeks to be a light to his brother; and faints not in the trials nor the temptations, for He tempts NONE beyond that they are ABLE to bear. Bear ye one another's burdens, in that each fills his OWN heart - as is GIVEN, ANSWER when He calls - "Here am I, send me."
9. (Q) What would be the best subject for the first lesson?
   (A) Cooperation. Let each seek for that as will be THEIR part in this lesson, and IT will be given each as THEY ask for for same. [See affirmation for the lesson given in 262-3.]
10. We are through for the present.

    Copy to File
    Copy to Ass'n
    Copy to L. B. Cayce
    [Copy in lesson form (for loose-leaf book) to each individual present. Extra copy to Hannah Miller to send to her husband, Capt. Noah Miller. Copy to Minnie Wood Miller, 1/18/36. For the first year or two copies were sent to various absent A.R.E. members who expressed an interest in studying the readings.]

BACKGROUND

1. Background recapitulated by GD: In February 1931 the Cayce Hospital closed. A Norfolk group had been coming every Sunday afternoon to lectures at the Cayce Hospital. They continued to visit Mr. Cayce off and on during that spring and summer. When interesting people would come to see Mr. Cayce we would sometimes phone the group to come out and meet them. For instance, Dr. Sunker A. Bisey came and talked to the group in the Cayce home in late summer of 1931. Lecturers came to Norfolk and the group would turn out in a body to hear them. William Dudley Pelley held a course of lectures and studies early that fall; the group went to hear him.
   As I remember it, Florence Edmonds was among the first to question Mr. Cayce about starting a group to study his work. He agreed and said he would be glad to give the group a reading to outline ways to study his work, or to explain the work to the group.
2. 8/20/31 Edith Edmonds' letter to EC: "Am sending these questions which the group discussed at the meeting Monday night. Mrs. Black asked me to send them to you: This group offers itself as a whole for service. If there is any definite work for any individual please state it and give names of individuals. Name the ones best qualified for the leader of this group at this time. In what way could we as a group best serve God, our fellow man, and assist in the development of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc? Give a name that is best suited for this particular group."
3. On 9/09/31, a Wednesday, at 8 o'clock P.M., the group met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Barrett and discussed questions to be presented for the first reading.
4. See Source File Key #262 for Hannah Miller's minutes 4/27/31 through 8/09/32, plus all current reports, supplements and commentaries re 262-100.
5. 9/14/31, Monday, 8:00 o'clock P.M., Group #1 had its first reading, #262-1, which is printed in the HANDBOOK FOR GROUP STUDY [See Source File Key #262 re 262-100].
   About twenty people were present at some of the first readings; fifteen to eighteen stayed with the group and some dropped out along the way. When A SEARCH FOR GOD, Book I was published in 1942 there were twelve individuals in Group #1. [3/03/76 See 262-1, Par. R2.]
   Original members of Group #1
   C. A. Barrett (Died 3/17/65) Minnie Barrett (Died 8/05/65) Mary Louise Black (Died in 1950) *Edgar Cayce (Died 1/03/45) *Gertude Cayce (Died 4/01/45) *Hugh Lynn Cayce (Died 7/04/82) *Gladys Davis (Died 2/12/86) Mildred Davis Edith Edmonds (Died 1/09/39) *Florence Edmonds (Died 2/29/56) *Helen Ellington Fannie M. Freeman (Died 1950?) H. H. Jones (Died - date unknown) *Ruth LeNoir (Died 3/11/81) *Hannah Miller (Died 10/10/65) *Noah Miller (Died 11/18/67) *Frances Y. Morrow (Died 3/06/70) Eloise Potter (?) C. W. Rosborough (Died 8/15/60) Mary Leona Rosborough (Died 5/04/64) *Helen Storey (Died 1/23/63) *Esther Wynne (Died 6/23/59)
   * (Twelve who remained in 1942 when SFG Book I was published)
   The following individuals were chosen by lot method to make up the 12 as original members of Group #1 died.
   Eula Allen - replaced Edgar Cayce - (Died 3/06/78) Ruth Denney - replaced Gertude Cayce - (Died 2/18/59) Marsden Godfrey - replaced Florence Edmonds - (Died 2/28/67) Harold G. Allen - replaced Helen Storey Helen Love - replaced Esther Wynne Virginia Kerr - replaced Hannah Miller Frank Adams - replaced Noah Miller
   When Frances Y. Morrow died in 1970, no one was chosen, as Group #1 disbanded.

REPORTS

1. 9/15/31 See EC's dream interpretation reading 294-127, Par. 5-A indicating that a prayer group should be a part of Group #1. See 262-3 commenting further on this, and subsequent readings in the [262] series and the [281] series.
2. 3/03/76 GDT to Nell Clairmonte:
   Early members of Group #1 who withdrew before the lessons were completed:
   Mrs. [69] and husband withdrew in 1934 during the lesson DESIRE. She had begun to question CROSS & CROWN, not being able to accept karma. She started her own healing group. She thought to believe in Christ was enough; you did not have to suffer. [She died of cancer in 1965, her husband having died earlier the same year.]
   Mrs. [115] withdrew in 1932, her last attendance being during the lesson PATIENCE. She was an ardent Theosophist and could not grasp the emphasis the readings put on Jesus, the Christ. She looked on Him just as another "master." [She died in 1950 after a cerebral hemorrhage and subsequent long stay in a nursing home, clear-minded at times at others not.]
   Mrs. [295] withdrew in 1935 [during the lesson DESTINY] to return to her home in another State, saying she felt that her invalid mother needed her. She later married and had two daughters. She recently lost her husband. All these years she has remained active in the Baptist denomination. She says she is interested in the Edgar Cayce work as a whole, but she has not been active in a week to week Study Group until recently.
   Miss [560] was active until her death in 1939 [during the lesson SPIRIT], being the first sec'ty of the A.R.E. Prayer Group.
   Mrs. [2112] withdrew in 1932 with her friend Mrs. [115]. She, too, was a Theosophist. We heard in 1953 she had moved to Mass. some years before to live with her daughter.
   Mr. [311] moved from the area in 1933. He was interested in the overall program of A.R.E. but did not become active in SFG Groups, although his mother and sisters did - Alabama. We recently heard from him, still expressing great interest in what A.R.E. is doing.
   Mrs. [2673] was a member of Group #1 for a few months in 1932, until she moved away. In 1949 she wrote expressing interest in attending an A.R.E. conference.
   Mr. [2124] and Mrs. [2125], husband and wife, withdrew from the group late in 1932, during the lesson IN HIS PRESENCE. Mr. [2124] became intensely interested in spirit communication and spirit "phenomena." So he and his wife [2125] became active in the Spiritualist Church. They could not accept reincarnation. 8/14/60 Mr. [2124] died at the age of 83 yrs. 5/04/64 Mrs. [2125] died at the age of 94 years.

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