This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 23rd day of September, 1934, in accordance with request by those present.

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

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present here, and their work on the lesson, "Desire." You will advise us in completing this lesson and answer the questions which will be asked.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals; and their work on the lesson, Desire.
3. In the completing of same, we find the greater portion of that which has been given has been well selected. The contributions from individuals as to their study, their application, their meditation and their experiences respecting same are very good.
4. Well chosen in the manner of separation. Only necessary, then, here and there, as it is re-edited, that some words, some phrases, be altered to better make the terminology in keeping with each phase of that being presented.
5. Ready for questions.
6. (Q) We present the lesson as a whole, a copy of which I hold in my hand. Any suggestions as to changes or additions that will make this lesson more effective?
   (A) Use it as given.
7. (Q) Please explain, so that we may all understand, just what was meant in the last reading, as to the help to be given on the lessons, what we should do, what our approach should be. [Also see 12/06/75 HLC's memo as 262-56, Reports in re Halaliel. See 262-71 in re Halaliel.]
   (A) Whether that which has been given as lessons to others is to be lived and exemplified in the lives of the members of the group or not, individually, is a choice in the individual - not as a group. This first, as given, must be determined to the best of THEIR ability. They, as individuals, as members of the group seeking to be a channel of blessing to someone else, will - with the help of those sources through which they have received inspiration, help, aid - live their own lives in that way and manner as they have asked others to do. Not of themselves; for, as given of old, no soul can say that Christ is come of God SAVE the Holy Spirit convict him of that statement. And should one say such and not live the LIFE that would exemplify that, then such an one is condemning self already.
   So, in the experiences that have been given by the varied members of such a study group, have given that they as individuals WILL accord their fellow members and their fellow man day by day.
   This chosen, this desired, as has been manifested on the part of those - some, to be sure, have been shirkers, some have been jerkers; yet all have manifested that which is their own state, phase or period of development. And now, as the lessons may change to a more informative nature, the help may be that - with the living of that they as individuals have given or have accepted. Say not, "I didn't contribute that, so I don't have to live it!" Thou art a portion of the whole, and what is thy first lesson? What is thine last lesson? Do these not work one with another? Has not a full cycle been completed? Be not as those that seek farther as curious, or as wantonly. Remember Er [?], Uzzah and Malchus [?], how their curiosity brought to them that period of night when that they had builded must be accounted for.
   Then, when ye are ready, SAY so!
8. (Q) [307]: Please explain more fully what was meant in the last reading by "and this is under the law of mercy; hence ever may thy prayer be, Mercy, Lord, not sacrifice." [See 262-71, Par. 16-A.]
   (A) This is plain to thee. For as the law of sacrifice as committed unto men bespoke the coming of the law of mercy that was and is demonstrated in the life of the man Jesus, thy Christ, who offered Himself as the sacrifice once for all, entering into the Holy of Holies where He may meet thee day by day, thou art then indeed - as many as have named the Name - come under the law of mercy, NOT of sacrifice. That is not in the term that no man offers sacrifice, for the life of every soul that seeks in the material world to demonstrate the spiritual life is a life of sacrifice FROM the material angle; but to such that have passed from death unto life, in that law of mercy in naming Him as thine God, thine brother, thine Savior, who has paid, who has offered Himself, thou art passed from death unto life - and the sacrifice is as MERCY from thy God to thy brother. Hence he that would despitefully use thee, a kind word is as mercy. As ye would have mercy, show mercy. THOU knowest in thine heart.
9. (Q) [560]: May I have a message from the highest forces that I can reach that will help me at this time?
   (A) Let thine mind, thine heart and thine purposes be as upon the altar of love to Him whom ye would serve, thy Master, thy God. For He is mindful ever of those that seek to know His ways; for His ways are not past finding out. For to those that have put on Christ, who have named the Name of Him that promised, "If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will come and abide with thee; my yoke is easy, my burden is LIGHT to THOSE that LOVE the Lord." Let not those things that would trouble thee interfere; for yet a little while and thou should see face to face - even as thou hast been called unto a service to thy fellow man, even as He; for He will not leave thee comfortless, but will come and abide with thee, and thou shalt KNOW Him as He is.
10. (Q) Do we understand correctly that we, each member of the group, must decide that we as individuals will live the lessons already completed before going on to the next lesson?
    (A) They must decide within themselves. Promise themselves - not thy brother, not thy neighbor, not thine friend, but promise the God within thee that with His help, with His mercy, with His aid, "I will do my best." Then say so.
    Then may ye go on, as individuals, as a group.
11. (Q) As individuals, we have tried. Tell us how to do this better.
    (A) Meet thy Maker face to face, in the Holy of Holies - and make thy promise there.
12. (Q) May we have the affirmation for our next meditation?
    (A) Let's choose first; but pray ye as this, when ye meet thy Maker and thyself face to face, as ye choose the way:
    MY FATHER AND MY GOD, AS I (Name thine own name) APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE AND MERCY, SEEKING TO BE A BETTER CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH THE BLESSINGS AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF MY LORD AND MY SAVIOR, AS MANIFESTED THROUGH THY SON, JESUS, THE CHRIST, MAY NOW BE MANIFESTED IN THE EARTH, MAY I, AS THY SERVANT, CHOOSE THE WAY I SHOULD GO.
13. (Q) [295]: What about the teacher as promised in the last reading?
    (A) Be not overanxious; for he that is overanxious, even, is as Uzzah.
14. (Q) [993]: Desires a message:
    (A) Grace, mercy and truth be with thee as ye seek to bring the glad tidings of truth to others in His name. For there be no other name under heaven whereby MEN in the earth may be saved. Let His love, His grace, His mercy be sufficient unto thee. Be not anxious of the morrow, for HE, thy Lord, thy God, doth provide. KNOW thy Redeemer liveth, and is in and with thee. Amen.
15. (Q) [585]: Desires a message:
    (A) What seekest thou HERE? Ye know the way, and in whom ye have believed; for He is ever with thee as ye seek to bring a message of cheer and comfort and hope to others. "In as much as ye do it unto the least of my brethren, ye do it unto me."
    What MERCY, what graciousness ye wilt find if ye will but KNOW that as ye do in His name ye lend unto thy Maker - and HE WILL repay! Be not impatient. Be slow in thy judgment; for as ye would have mercy shown, so be merciful.
16. (Q) [303]: May I have a message that will strengthen me at this time?
    (A) Come! Sing a joyful song unto thy Lord and thy Redeemer, who hath STRENGTHENED thee in the hours of trial, of test, of tribulation; for they that meet their troubles, their sorrows, with JOY in the Name of the Lord shall not be troubled again. They that kick against the pricks find that they but entangle their own mental minds, their own consciousnesses in the turmoils of the flesh. Ye LIVE in the flesh, yet be as He - in the world yet not OF the world; for all strength, all power, all glory, all joy is given unto Him - for HE has overcome, and ye may in Him overcome also. Count it rather as a blessing, rather as that thou art CHOSEN that ye may in the name of thy Lord speak a kind word to those that are abrupt or cross with thee, and in so doing ye will heap the coals of judgment upon their consciousnesses; for ye are His and He is thine, if ye will hold to that thou hast chosen.
17. (Q) Are the other groups excluded from this one in the readings, last given?
    (A) How readest thou, in thine own conscience?
18. (Q) [379]: Desires a message:
    (A) As others look to thee for strength, for guidance in Him, in thine home, in thine life, in thine meetings day by day, so be ye strong in Him. For to him whom much is given, from him is much required; yet him that hath, to him it SHALL be given - and thou hast known His ways. Keep thine way perfect, then, in thine walks, in thine talks with those that trust in thee. For as thou dost represent the home, the way, the light to many, so will HE give His strength, His power, His grace, that YE may bear those burdens in the flesh in the way that He would have ye go. For He will not leave thee comfortless, for He will guide thee as ye walk day by day.
19. (Q) [538]: May I have a message that will help me at this time?
    (A) Keep thy ways in the light of Him that has promised to guide, guard and direct. Be not impatient. Be not other than that thou wouldst have thy fellow man be unto thee. For as ye speak of another, as ye speak TO another, so will ye be spoken to; for the seed ye sow will be GIVEN the increase by the power of His Word. So, sow the seed of joy, of love, of life, in the minds, in the hearts of those thou meetest day by day. Let thy love for thy Maker constrain thee in thy daily activities, for to thee hast been entrusted that which may wreck, may make, thine own understanding.
20. (Q) [404]:
    (A) Let the law of love, of mercy, of justice, that is shown in the law of love and mercy, be thy guide day by day. For the Lord is not slack in counting His mercy as men count slackness. And be patient and be trustworthy, even to thine own soul. For the brighter day dawns, and the star of hope to thee rises in those that ye show the way and the light. MERCY, MERCY, for those that err; even as ye would have mercy shown to thee!
21. (Q) [462]:
    (A) Up to the Throne of grace hath gone thy words of commendation and of love, yet ye trust in the power of those things that are within thine own self. HE is able through thee to make thee strong in the ways that thou shouldst go! Eschew evil, LOVE justice and mercy, and put those things FROM thy heart that would cause thee to doubt.
22. (Q) [295]: Desires a message:
    (A) Let those things that would cause thee to fear, to doubt, become the stepping-stones for those things that have been promised in and through thee if thou wilt keep His ways. Let justice and mercy, let JOY and harmony, let thine self be the way; for "He that would be the greatest among you, he is servant of all." Grace, mercy, peace, the love of the Father through the Son abide with those that love His coming. Be patient, be KIND, be JUST in thine commentations, in thine activities to thy fellow man; for only in such will ye find peace and harmony. For some cry Peace when they themselves become, through the condemnation of self in others, that which is the stumbling-block to many. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord for the mercies, the promises, the glories that may be thine in the earth through the love thou may show unto thy fellow man.
23. (Q) [413]: Is there a special message for me?
    (A) As thou hast been strong in thine weakness, strength and grace and power is given thee. For many are they (and the number grows) who seek through thee to know more of the light and the way. Be thou strong, then, in His power, that the blessings that He has prepared for those that love His ways may be thy very own. Let not doubt nor fear turn thee aside, for in HIS ways are the peace and harmony and love that will bring this to come in thine own EXPERIENCE. They that love the Lord shall PROSPER in the earth.
24. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-72 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."

REPORTS

1. 10/28/34 See 262-73 assuring the group that the foundation of these Search for God lessons is the Christ, "Thy son, thy gift to me that I might know thy ways!"

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