This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office in Pinewood on Lake Drive, Va. Beach, Va., this 3rd day of April, 1932, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence & Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. Y. Morrow, C. W. & M. L. Rosborough, Annie, L. B. & H. L. Cayce, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Sarah & Lu Hesson, S. E. McPherson and Anne Penn.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here, and their work on the lessons which they are preparing. Please give us at this time that we need in continuing work on the lesson on FAITH and answer the questions which will be asked:
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals, and the work and preparation as the group, and as each have contributed, do contribute, to the lesson.
3. As has been given, in the exercising of the faith does there come to each that as may be given another for their enlightenment.
4. In the preparations of self, as individuals, as a group, these are of the exercising of that talent or ability as is the heritage of each, plus that as may be gained by the cooperation of one with another in the light of that as is seen in self through that as chosen as the ideal of individual, of the group.
5. In the manner of presenting same, that as has been chosen that comes through the concerted action of self in response to those surrounding environs, and the seeking of self for that knowledge as will enable self to give expression to that as is experienced within the individual in responding to those opportunities as are presented from day to day to put that as is the experience into active thought, active being; activating, then, one with another, toward that as may be given out to others to enlighten them as respecting their relationships with the creative forces, with their fellow man.
6. As is seen by those of the first of the lessons, these are builded step by step, that there may be seen that which may become a living truth in the lives of individuals, known and seen of those who may come in contact either with the life of the individuals so applying same, or that as may be given by the group as a whole.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) [993]: In passing through the test that has come with the sign that was promised, has my faith been sufficient? Would appreciate more light regarding same, and how I should act.
   (A) As has been promised, "My grace is sufficient", and "Take no thought of what ye shall say in the hour of trial or test, for it will be given thee that as is necessary for the renewing of that spirit that makes for the understanding of 'His Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit.'" Then, meet each step as is shown thee, remembering that He has promised, "I am with thee always, even unto the end of the world. I will not leave thee comfortless, but will come to thee, and he that takes my cross shall not bear it alone."
9. (Q) [560]: Could the entity receive a message at this time that her faith may be strengthened?
   (A) Add unto thy faith works, that showeth forth those attributes that are expressions of His Spirit in the world. So shall it, the faith, become the evidence of things not seen, and His grace, His mercies, will abide with you whithersoever thou goest. Peace be with thee! Not as the world gives peace; rather as that that has lost self, self's personality, in Him.
10. (Q) [[69]'s husband]: Please explain what was meant in reading of March 6th, by "Use that thou hast in hand, for the ground whereon thou standest is holy!"? [262-13, Par. 8-A.]
    (A) As each individual uses that knowledge and understanding as pertains to the attributes of the spirit of truth, life, light and understanding, so does there come that growth, even as brought the worlds into being; and being, places, things, spots, that are brought into being through such activity of an entity, self, is indeed holy. There is that, then, in the self, in the entity, seeking that may find, and may come to know the closer relationships with the holy activating forces in a material world.
11. (Q) We present the outline on FAITH, which I hold in my hand. Please suggest any further headings which should be added.
    (A) Rather would we fill those that have been outlined with that as may be furnished as experiences of individuals, as to the tests whether of faith or confidence, according to that held as the ideal; and, as given, whether it partakes of the physical conscious sense or that of the spiritual intuitive forces as comes from close communion with the Holy Spirit, the promised Comforter, the consciousness of the Christ.
12. (Q) When in the meditation of FAITH, we are told to pray, "Create in me a pure heart, O God". Does the word "heart" refer to the subconscious mind? Please give some light on the word "heart".
    (A) As in the physical body the heart considered the seat, or the source of that which impels life to all portions of the body. In that sense, then, in creating in me a pure heart, a pure soul, a pure purpose, that in all forces, all circumstance, all conditions, in all the active forces of the body, in mind or in physical contact, may bring as life, light, understanding, to those contacted - as does the heart to the body. This as an attribute, or a representation then, as is used to signify that purpose, that intent, that life, that characterization, of the active forces of an entity, a body, a mind, the imaginative forces, the conscious forces, the subconscious or soul forces. Not as of the subconscious alone; rather that that illustrates, as of the seat, the source, the activating forces that IMPEL those as would do His biddings. As: "Create within me a pure heart, O God, and RENEW a right, righteous, holy spirit within me."
13. (Q) Please give some information as to how we come to have faith; is it a gift of God and developed through the use of it?
    (A) As there is brought into creation, as in the beginning, there are the attributes of every force, power, as it may be magnified in whatever source of creation as is exemplified in the act. In man given that as of will, and the soul, with that as is the attribute to keep those forces in a line with that that takes of the source of its emanation, and in faith - then - grows (the will) to be one with; or going away from, by the exercising of same in another direction. So does the soul, or that as separates an entity from the whole, grow in whatever direction the exercising of the attribute, as gift, as a force, as power, magnified in the creation of forces in the beginnings. So does it show forth in individuals according to that as the manner or way in which it, the faith, is used as respecting those attributes of individuals as related to the Creative Force, or God himself.
14. (Q) Please explain by illustration (Reading March 20th) "Most say they believe, and yet begin at once to explain as to how this means in the mental rather in the material source". [262-14, Par. 19-A.]
    (A) As has just been outlined as to how faith, as an attribute that came into being as the Son - in which the faith is magnified as to make those active forces in will, and the growth of the soul. So, as is seen in individuals as would say, "Yes, I believe - but" "but" meaning there is that doubt, that by the comparison of some individual, individuals or circumstances in their experience, when, where, or how, that individuals spoke yet acted in a manner as if that did not exist! Then, creating that doubt for self, applying to self, brings about that as is the opposite of faith, or else partakes of that within the conscious mind that begins with the lessons that must be answered by the attributes of the physical consciousness, that seek for a demonstration through those senses of the body that makes for an awareness to the physical being; yet, as is seen, these are the manners in which the variations to individuals reach those various conditions or circumstances in their experience.
15. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of 262-15 - "Study Group #1".

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