The following was originally supplementary material:
2/39 Letter from Rev. J. B. Clower, Jr.: "The Association
for Research and Enlightenment has requested me, as a
Protestant minister, to read and evaluate, from my point of
view, these 'First Six Lessons on Soul Development'. As I
understood the request I was not being asked to evaluate the
work of the Association, nor any intended use of the
'Lessons', but rather to appraise the 'Lessons' themselves
solely on the basis of their content value.
"Truth is truth, regardless of the source from which it comes
or the style of the package in which it is wrapped.
Nevertheless, it has been my observation, which critical
self-examination seems but to confirm, that those of us who
'deal in the dispensing of truth' are usually very hesitant
about recommending any parcel of it which is done in a new
wrapper, or which does not bear our own particular label.
"These six 'Lessons' are being published by an organization
associated with a very remarkable man and a very remarkable
work. I have known this man and his work for five years, and
during that time have had abundant opportunity to study them
both. There is still much about them that I do not
understand (as more learned and careful observers than I are
equally ready to admit), and there are some philosophical
assumptions underlying the work that is being done which I
find congenial, but which I have not yet been led to accept
dogmatically.
"Consequently, when I was asked to give my reaction to these
'Lessons' I found myself wondering just what my honest
reaction would be. And so I began to read. But as I read
I began to realize that here was nothing new, nothing
startling. Here was good devotional reading. I felt myself
spiritually quickened by much of what I read. True, I found
a few implications here and there which I felt inclined to
question as I have already intimated. But with these
exceptions I found nothing in the substance of the 'Lessons'
as such which, in my judgement, could not appropriately be
published with the imprint of my own church's denominational
publishing house. The lessons are Christian in theme and
purpose."
3/39 Letter from Lucille (Mrs. David E.) Kahn: "When I
received your letter and request to read the six 'lessons'
I rather dreaded the prospects. It is with joy that I can
truthfully say that, in my humble opinion, you and your group
have created and assembled a worthwhile - yes, even an
important - contribution to the study of man and his God.
"Any novice sincerely seeking illumination will certainly
find, in detail, every answer to a questioning mind and
hungry soul.
"I only feel that the book, 'How To Meditate', just must be
referred to, for all the discussion means little without the
technique, practice and knowledge of meditation. Your book
is a beautiful preparation for such work.
"Congratulations to you and your workers on a searching and
sincere piece of writing."
4/39 Letter from Thomas Sugrue: "First Six Lessons on
Soul Development: Compiled by Department of Study Groups of
The Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.
"This little book might well be subtitled, 'An American
Yoga'. It presents a way of life which is spiritual in
design yet practical in pattern, suiting itself to Western
ways of existence. It reduces Christianity to a working
formula which can be applied by Americans to their everyday
lives without seriously upsetting any personal routine.
"In a time when Christianity has shown tendencies toward
becoming not a way of life but a critical commentary upon it,
such a practical reorientation of the philosophy of Jesus is
a real service. It is necessary for man to continually
restate and reinterpret the things which he believes, for the
symbology by which he transmits his thoughts and beliefs is
in a state of continuous change, and what was right to him
yesterday becomes today a hackneyed phrase or a wornout
cliche.
"The writers of this little book have succeeded in restating
an ancient way of life in terms which the modern man and
woman can understand and appreciate. This is a task which
must be accomplished by each generation in its quest for
thoughts that lie behind symbols and dogmas, and those who
succeed in doing it deserve the heartiest thanks of their
fellow man."
A SEARCH FOR GOD
REVIEW by MISS ESTHER WYNNE
AT THE TENTH ANNUAL CONGRESS of the ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH
AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.,
JUNE 19, 1941.
As many other branches of the work of the Association for
Research and Enlightenment, Inc., the departments of
publication and study groups were small and seemingly
insignificant in the beginning of the organization. The
reason for this is, the message is first to the individual,
then to groups, then to classes and finally masses.
It was more like an experiment in faith than an organization
of activities through which others might be helped,
stimulated and uplifted; though faith was enough evidence of
things hoped for, to encourage many "to keep on keeping on."
It was the evening of September, 14, 1931, that a group of
nineteen members of the Association offered themselves as
channels through which lessons might be compiled, that if
lived would, as the readings put it, "be lights to a dying
world."
The members organized themselves into the first study group,
which afterwards became a unit of the department of
publication of the Association. Mr. Cayce gave readings
regularly over a period of ten years to the group for
direction and as a basis for the work that was to be
undertaken. The members applied themselves diligently to the
study of the readings, to prayer and meditation, and in their
weak way attempted to make practical what they learned. This
was the beginning of the book, "A Search for God."
The book is composed of a group of twelve lessons and a
lengthy discourse on meditation and prayer. "The intent is
not to furnish new information, but rather to give that which
if lived will answer to that within self for the assurance as
to not only soul awakening, but the continuity of life."
In the first lesson, Cooperation is defined as losing sight
of self and becoming a channel through which blessings may
flow to others. During the compilation of this lesson, as in
all others that followed in the series, the members
experienced much that was humiliating and much that called
for selflessness, yet in all they were happy since they had
been counted worthy to be called into service.
2. A Search for God.
The second lesson, Know Thyself, is only a beginning of a
study mentally, physically and spiritually. The purpose of
this lesson will not be fully understood or appreciated until
there is a study and application of "The Revelation" and the
"Seven Spiritual Centers of Man," better known as the
endocrine system.
The subject of the third lesson is What is My Ideal. From
this lesson we gather that the "True Ideal is the highest
spiritual attainment to be reached in this material world."
"The Ideal must be of a spiritual nature, that has its
foundation in truth, in God. - The gift to man is an
individual soul, which may be one with Him and may know
itself to be one with Him and yet individual in itself with
attributes of the whole, yet not the whole."
Faith is the subject of the fourth lesson. In this lesson
faith is declared to be spiritual, and attribute of the soul.
"It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen." It accepts or rejects without basis of
reason, or that which is perceived through the five senses.
"In the material world we often mistake confidence for faith,
for we are prone to depend upon knowledge gained through the
physical senses.
Then follow lessons of Fellowship, Patience, The Open Door,
In His Presence, the Cross and the Crown, The Lord Thy God
is One and Love. Each helps to awaken a better understanding
of God the Father and His relationship to His children.
The discourse on prayer and meditation will be of inestimable
value to those who seek the awakening of the inner self,
to those who would meet Him face to face; for it points the
way to harmony, peace and protection that is found in the
Christ. "The form and manner of the meditation as presented
here is among the first of the occidental ideas of an
oriental theme according to that presented by the Master."
Those who read and study these lessons are asked only to
try to live them, for there will be a real revelation to
those who will use, not abuse, in their daily lives, that
presented in them.
6/42 Review of SFG I by Reverend William McLaughlin, Catholic
Priest missionary: "The Psalmist says: 'Whither shall I go
from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed
in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the
morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even
there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold
me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the
night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not
from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and
light are both alike to thee.'
In these divinely inspired words, we know that wherever the
true believer makes a search for God, He will be found. We
realize, as did the Psalmist, that God is Spirit and can be
found in the spiritual world, although He inter-penetrates
all matter.
Reading Edgar Cayce's remarkable book, A SEARCH FOR GOD, one
comes to the deep conviction that he has found God, but in
his deep humility, he claims to be searching for Him.
St. Francis of Assisi said that humility is the greatest
Christian virtue and we know that it is the rarest, for the
human Ego is inclined to exalt itself, forgetting the
Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "He hath put down the
mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree."
In reading this book, one is impelled to conclude that any
true appraisal of it, will be equivalent to writing a
condensed commentary on the New Testament, for Edgar Cayce
culls from this sacred volume the quintessence of its
teachings and keeps the reader's mind and attention at a high
altitude of contemplation and awareness of the Divine.
To those persons who have had the privilege of listening to
one of Edgar Cayce's readings, it would be adscititious on my
part to maintain, as I do, that he lifts a corner of the veil
separating us mortals on the physical plane from our true
home in the spiritual world, for we are primarily spiritual
beings, encased for a time in mortal flesh.
Edgar Cayce conveys to us the knowledge that we must not let
burden of the flesh overpower our spiritual inheritance, or
that portion of the Spirit inherent in us from manifesting
in us. Not, of course, quite in the sense in which the
Church through the ages has preserved the manifestation of
the Godhead in the person of the Christ in the Feast of the
Epiphany, or as it was called in the first three centuries
after the Crucifixion, the Feast of the Theophany."
6/42 Review of SFG I by Edna Green Hines (Mrs. Harry S.):
"A SEARCH FOR GOD compiled by the Study Groups of the
Association for Research and Enlightenment, is an unusual
handbook for the thinker, the student of religion and
philosophy and the earnest seeker after wisdom. Within its
pages one finds depth, power and understanding, illumined
with the white light of Truth.
I found myself captivated by the new treatment of old ideas.
In every chapter there is food for thought, deep thought.
One can read and re-read and find new depths to explore with
every reading. Here is opportunity for growth, mental and
spiritual, and direction for the finding of God in everyday
life. Chapters on the Christian virtues, - patience, faith,
virtue, cooperation, understanding and love serve as
guideposts along the path to nobler living.
The chapter "Know Thyself" is a well of inspiration and if
followed would solve many problems of adjustment. One learns
loftier concepts of prayer and meditation. To quote a few
splendid sentences from the book: 'Prayer is the concerted
effort of our physical consciousness to become attuned with
the consciousness of the Creator - Meditation is prayer from
within the inner self - in prayer we speak to God, in
meditation God speaks to us.'
One's ideas on many things are crystallized in the paragraphs
of this remarkable book and we obtain a fuller and more
definite realization of many things which have been too
abstract. We learn to open the door to a richer life as
taught here. It is not a book for idle reading, but one
which will stand many readings and much thought. Surely
there is a reward here for the religious thinker and searcher
after the Truth.
The groups which brought it out are to be congratulated on a
fine and uplifting piece of work. Truly the searcher after
God must find Him here."
6/26/42 Mrs. [Beatrice] Richmond Seay: "We have given away
five books, A SEARCH FOR GOD, today. Each person (two
ministers included) has been eager to have a copy. It is
something one feels a sense of blessedness in giving away,
- it contains so much to bless and assist others in finding
God. And with each morsel of it I pick up and read there
comes a greater desire to have others read it."
7/11/42 Review of SFG I by Mrs. Lucy A. Cooney (Mrs. R. F.):
"The book, A SEARCH FOR GOD, gives the Truth in such a very
plain manner that no one can read it without realization of
our 'Inner Man.' I am glad to do my bit towards putting it
in circulation."
7/29/42 Mrs. Ina Lowthorp: "I have received and have read
through A SEARCH FOR GOD. It is a book to be kept and read
and re-read, and I am grateful to have it. I shall also loan
it to any to whom I'm directed to loan it."
7/29/42 Glenn Clark: "I find the book, A SEARCH FOR GOD,
very understanding, very thorough, and very helpful. I shall
recommend it to my friends. As there is no book review
department in CLEAR HORIZONS I cannot make any mention of it
there. I will, however, speak of it at my summer camps."
7/30/42 Miss Mary C. Robinson: "The book is all that I
expected it to be and more. I would like very much to
sponsor a great many copies if I could, but I will surely do
what I can. At this time especially, when so many souls are
searching for truth, I feel that the book will accomplish
much toward spreading the Light."
8/08/42 Miss Lorraine Shrader [later Mrs. Erik Jensen]: "My
copy of A SEARCH FOR GOD arrived and it is one I shall
treasure. Although I have only dipped in very superficially,
I know it is going to be invaluable and a great joy and
help."
8/10/42 Nicholas Gulstine: "I value this book as one of the
very best in its class - as devotional literature, although
having read widely along these lines during an extended
period of search, study and thought on the deep things of
life, here and hereafter."
8/15/42 George Washington Carver: "I have looked through the
book hurriedly, and consider it a very fine piece of work."
8/15/42 The Aquarian Ministry by GGW: "Mrs. Brownell has a
review all ready for the October magazine THE AQUARIAN AGE."
10/11/42 Mr. Paul P. Owen: "It is enduring like the company
of a perfect friend, like discovering a garden behind a wall
you've passed many times. It gives direct helpful pointers
on fulfilling the purpose of life."
10/23/42 Mr. Orval Graves of Rosecrucian Research Library:
"I hurriedly read the book through once and am going to read
some of it regularly each week from now on. This is not
flattery but sincere comment when I say that I believe it is
one of the finest spiritual works in a long time. It seems
to me it ought to reach those people who are in both the
orthodox religion and out and out occultism. Yours must be
a very wonderful work in carrying on this type of study and
research. I do not need to wish you success and blessings,
as you already have those undoubtedly, but I would like to
extend my good wishes and thanks."
10/28/42 Miss Laurie Pratt: "I was happy to receive your
little book, well named A SEARCH FOR GOD. It is like a
scripture, full of the simple, profound truths of all ages,
which would deliver us from all our wordly ills if we would
but heed them. I know it has taken much time, labor and
love to produce the book, and you must feel repaid in the
good it will do for many seeking souls."
2/26/43 Miss Sonya Henry: "This book would certainly help
one to a mastership. You will be surprised to learn that I
dreamed about a book this color and was told to put it into
USE. I should like to find myself in the teaching field.
You told me it was my vocation, and everyone I meet seems to
feel that way." [This note was sent with her order for 10
copies of SFG.]
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation