This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia, this 2nd day of April, 1933, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie and C. A. Barrett; Esther Wynne; Florence and Edith Mildred Edmonds; Frances Y. Morrow; Hugh Lynn Cayce; Mildred Mary Davis.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the Norfolk Study Group, #1, members of which are present in this room, and their work on the lesson, The Lord Thy God Is One, a copy of which I hold in my hand. You will give such counsel and further treatment of the lesson as the group needs at this time to continue the work on this lesson. You will answer the questions which will be asked by individuals and by the group as a whole.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals, and the work of the group on the lesson.
3. In giving that as may be helpful, beneficial to the various members of the group in preparing data, as given, it is well that the lesson, the preparation be in self rather than in advice or counsel.
4. But, that there may be the impulse for further consideration, for application in the experience of each, there should be the sincere attempt on the part of each to put into practice or application that that is known.
5. Does each individual understand that as was given, one must give account of every idle word spoken? that this is in reference to the oneness of purpose in an individual? that the mind, the body, the aptitude of the soul is under surveillance through such activity?
6. And, as given, as the body, the mind, the soul is one, so is God in the manifestations in power, might and glory in the earth.
7. That, then, should illustrate as to why there should be joyousness, gladness in the heart, in the speech, in the magnifying of the activities of each individual.
8. For, if the hate, grudge or selfishness has created such an influence as to separate self from a friend, a foe, any activity that has made for the loss of self's own respect of its abilities or its relationship to its Maker, how CAN such a soul be one in Him?
9. Then, let each test self; and it will be found that the ability to so illustrate in or from self's own experience will aid in lighting the way for others that seek to know The Lord Thy God Is One.
10. How sincere IS the DESIRE on the part of each TO know The Lord Thy God Is One? Sufficient to be active rather than just passive in the statement?
11. For, he that would gain the concept must believe that He is; and that He rewards those who seek to do His biddings.
12. Then, let each be active; up and doing, with a heart that is singing the joyous message that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. It IS within! I AM the brother! I AM the associate with the Son, in the relationships to the Father!
13. And the life will mean more! For, has it not been given that the earth IS the Lord's and the fullness thereof? True, many within themselves stumble over that which, even, has not been comprehended; in that there is the mental body, the physical body, the spiritual body. They are one!
14. In analyzing, then, do not let the analysis become the object; but the body in the Lord, the oneness in PURPOSE, that is gained through the knowledge that the mental - the consciousness, IS the builder. And that the oneness of purpose is in Him AS one doth clarify the conditions that are to be met.
15. When there is seemingly the slighting on the part of another, evidences in the material mind that conditions or activities are as stumbling blocks not compatible with thine OWN ideal, then know that all activity is a manifestation of ONE power - and IS the ATTEMPT of the individual to assert either the power and glory of GOD, or of self!
16. WHERE IS thine OWN will? One with HIS, or to the glorifying of thine own desires - thine own selfish interests?
17. The way is not long, nor is the cross more grievous than ye may bear - if the trust will be in Him, that "I will not leave thee comfortless, I will come and abide with thee."
18. But we are so constituted, by that builded within ourselves, that He does not come without the invitation that He abide with us.
19. For, with that power of will are we the sons of God - capable of being equal WITH Him in the glory that He would share with us. As He gave, "I and the Father are One, and ye in me, I in the Father - "
20. These, then, should aid all in making that contribution that enables all to WANT, to DESIRE, to be on fire with that desire, to MANIFEST the Oneness of the Father in Life.
21. For, as Hs is Life - we in Life may make manifest that our desires, our hearts, our minds, our souls, are ONE with Him in bringing to the knowledge of one - ANYONE - EVERYONE - that the power of God, through the Christ, is able to save; even unto the utmost.
22. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-42 is - "Study Group #1".

REPORTS

1. 5/27/70 GD's note: Often I have been asked who is the author "S.I.G." who wrote the poem at the beginning of the chapter of A SEARCH FOR GOD Book I, The Lord Thy God is One.
   At this late date I am inclined to think that this was written by Esther Wynne, chief compiler of the lesson material for the book. She often wrote poetry and rarely signed her name to it. Perhaps in turning the material over to the typist (also a member of Group #1) she just put a little "sig." meaning to sign it later.
   I can not find any of the words in Bartlett's FAMILIAR QUOTATIONS, so it must not have been an old, well known poem. If Esther Wynne did not write it herself, I can only think that it was done by someone visiting her who knew of our work on that particular lesson.

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