This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., this 29th day of July, 1934, Norfolk, Va., in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Florence and Edith Edmonds, Frances Y. Morrow, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey and Ruth LeNoir.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room. We seek, from the Sources through which we have been called, a "checking up", as it were, as to just where we stand. Also if it be in keeping at this time, we desire information, advice and guidance as to our individual and group calling.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals, and those influences in the experience of each; also that whereunto the group as a group and as individuals have been called.
3. In giving that which may be helpful at this time to the group, let each take that given as applying to their individual selves. For if there is the cooperation, if there is the understanding, if there is the enlightening to the minds and hearts and souls of those that seek to be a channel of blessing, their purposes, their object, are one.
4. That there is through the natural tend or bent of individual activity the negative influence, or that which may be termed as egotistical activity in the actions of some, this is not as a fault; rather as the warning. Let the object of the activities of the group in service for others, in the preparation of that which may be applied in the experience of others that may study same, that may read same, that may apply the information which is supplied by the activities of the group, be rather that there may be presented the love of the Father that is manifested in the lives and the hearts of all through the Son and HIS advent into the earth, and His promises that are sure in the lives of those who may so apply themselves from their own selfish interests or motives as to make of themselves an object for SERVICE in His name.
5. For, all that have been called in this service, in these activities as a group, as individuals, have responded with their very souls. Some have been discouraged. Some have been faint-hearted. These are not faults. Rather use that which THOU knowest has been thine individual weakness in the service, in the light, in the understanding that thou hast had in thine activities as individuals, as a group; the stepping-stones for those things that may make for a greater service, a greater activity in behalf of thy fellow man, without thought of self, without thought of satisfying, of glorifying, other than that desire which is in the spiritual activity of the soul that seeks to magnify Christ in the lives, the hearts of all. Not desiring to give a law, to give a precept as to how this, that or the other individual may use or as to what they should do with their lives. Rather, as the calling has been, present that thou hast tested in thine own experience and hast been found in thine lives to be that which has answered for those troubled periods, those times when darkness or shadow, doubt or fear assailed thee. For, each soul must know Him as He is. Then, let each soul, each individual, rededicate their lives, their hearts, their bodies, to the service of thy brother, thy neighbor, that there may come in the earth that which will make for, "That Thou gavest me, Lord, have I used to the best of my ability. Thou, O Lord, must give the increase."
6. Faint not when there are discouraging activities in the hearts, in the souls even of those that may falter here and there; for GOD looketh on the heart, thou only seest the outward appearances. Look to thine own self that thine own skirts, thine own mind, thine own body, are kept wholly in the way that He has called thee. When there comes fear or doubt, look to Him; arouse in thyself that consciousness of His presence abiding with thee, and He will quell the storm within thine own life. He abides with thee, wilt thou keep Him, His precepts, "Love ye one another."
7. Ready for questions.
8. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-68 - "Study Group #1".
2. Emergency call caused members to give over the period originally set for Group #1 lesson on Desire, to seek physical counsel for acute condition of a member of another group. Many seemed 'let-down' to have to give up the reading. Diagnosis and treatment was given rather fast [See 555-1]; when finished, EC said: "We are through with this reading," at which time GC gave the suggestion for the Group #1 reading which had previously been planned. The following 262-68 was the result. All seemed elated over it.

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