This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 28th day of October, 1934, in accordance with request made 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, Ruth LeNoir, Alice Harris, O. J. and Louvenia Benthall, Nellie Twiddy, Elizabeth Perry, Abbie Kemp and her two grandsons.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the members of the Norfolk Study Groups gathered here. You will give a mental and spiritual message that will aid them in carrying on, with any special advice for the further work of Group #1 that will be helpful at this time.
2. Yes, we have the group, members of groups that are gathered here, as a group and as individuals.
3. As to that which has been given, that has been presented to others, to groups, for serious consideration, for application in their own experiences, ye have found these lessons not merely tenets; neither are they theories. Rather, as ye have applied them they have brought to each of you in thine own particular, peculiar sphere of activity, an experience. Hence, as ye seek to become that channel through which there may come to others those blessings, those experiences that are THY very own, know that - if ye have chosen that which is the foundation of those lessons, the Christ, the consciousness of His Presence abiding in thee - there is that strength, that grace sufficient for ye in every trial, in every blessing, in every shadow, in every light.
4. For He IS the way; He is the life; He is the vine and ye are the branches. Bear ye fruit, then, worthy of that thou hast chosen; and He will keep that thou hast committed unto Him against every experience that may be required, that may be needed, that may come in thine attempts to show forth the Lord's death till He come again; Death meaning that transition, that decision, that change in every experience. For if ye die not daily to the things of the world ye are none of His.
5. Then, lift up thine hearts, thine minds, in praise to Him who has GIVEN thee the opportunity that ye may be as lights showing the way; re-consecrating thyself, thy service, thy joys, thy sorrows, to His service, that ye may have the greater joy, the greater blessings in Him.
6. How readest thou as to what shall be thine own judgments and the judgement before the Throne of grace, the Throne of might? "As ye did it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto me."
7. So, let His ways be thy ways. Let thy sorrows be His sorrows. Let thy joys be His joys, and HE will abide with thee.
8. To those that seek to prepare the lessons: How hast thou chosen? [See 262-71, 262-72 re Halaliel] Have ye rededicated thy lives? Have ye chosen through what channel ye would seek? The Master has called, and His love will protect thee if thou wilt in thy daily life live that thou hast given thy brother, thy friend, as a guide, as an example!
9. So, as ye choose, know that lesson thou hast been given becomes a part of thee - thy Destiny! For ye as souls, as individuals, are BUILDING same. What will the manner of the structure be?
10. Let thy prayer, thy meditation in preparation, then, be:
11. LORD, THOU ART MY DWELLING PLACE! IN THEE, O FATHER, DO I TRUST! LET ME SEE IN MYSELF, IN MY BROTHER, THAT THOU WOULD BLESS IN THY SON, THY GIFT TO ME THAT I MIGHT KNOW THY WAYS! THOU HAST PROMISED, O FATHER, TO HEAR WHEN THY CHILDREN CALL! HARKEN, THAT I MAY BE KEPT IN THE WAY THAT I MAY KNOW THE GLORY OF THY SON AS THOU HAST PROMISED IN HIM, THAT WE THROUGH HIM MIGHT HAVE ACCESS TO THEE! THOU, O GOD, ALONE, CAN SAVE! THOU ALONE CAN KEEP MY WAYS!
12. As ye choose, then, my children, as ye know that ye are being given a work to do, know that His blessings will guide thee day by day. Be ye not stiff-necked; be ye not seekers after vainglories. For the day of the Lord is at hand, and many of ye shall see His glory in the experiences of thy life here among thy fellowman. Are ye willing to drink the cup even as He drank, or that thou may receive even the praise of thy brethren for a day? Let His ways be thy ways. Let there be that as He gave, "Love ye one another and thus fulfil the law of God."
13. Ready for questions.
14. (Q) Is it well for Group #1 to invite members from other groups to join them in the preparations of the future lessons?
    (A) When others of other groups, of any group, feel called to service, ask - and then they may be chosen; for, "Whosoever will, let him come and partake of the water of LIFE." For when ye take His yoke upon thee thy burdens become light. Be ye messengers, be ye light bearers, then, for the Christ-child.
15. (Q) Any other advice or guidance at this time?
    (A) Much might be given thee. This: Keep, preserve ye in thine inmost self:
    LET THE LIGHT OF THE LOVE OF THE CHRIST BE MY GUIDE. MY BROTHER, MY FRIEND, MY NEIGHBOR, MINE ENEMY EVEN, ARE CHILDREN OF GOD - MY BRETHREN, MY LOVED ONES. LET ME, THEN, SEE THAT I DO NOT CAUSE ONE OF THESE TO ERR, NOR TO PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK IN THE WAY OF ANY.
16. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of Reading 262-73 - "Study Group #1."
2. See 262-72 on 9/23/34 stressing individual choice and dedication to the Christ, in preparing the SFG lessons, before the subject of the next lesson, and affirmation for it, would be given.
   Discussion preceded 262-73 on 10/28/34, led by HLC, in order to help those visitors present from other groups understand why Group #1 could not continue to include visitors in the reading period. He pointed out that the purpose of Group #1 is to compile lessons; those coming in as visitors might not understand and, therefore, cause friction; lack of room to include all members of other groups in the average home, therefore giving opportunity for some to feel hurt at not being invited. A turning point is now being reached in the affairs of Group #1; members must make decisions, a cycle having been completed and a change imminent. HLC stated that we as Group #1 members have nothing to hide; we are merely feeling ourselves out.
   EC was in good spirits. He also made a short talk to the members present preceding the reading. Later a copy of 262-73 was sent to all those who were present for the reading, even though some were visitors.

REPORTS

1. 12/23/34 See 262-74 commending Group #1 for its choice of the Christ.
2. 12/06/75 See HLC's memo under 262-56, Par. R3, in re Halaliel.

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