This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of December, 1941, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Frances Y. Morrow, Helen Ellington, Florence Edmonds, Jane Williams, Mignon Helms, Ruth Denney, Beverly Simmons, Mac Wilkins, Sally and Hugh Lynn Cayce, Louise B. Chisholm, Dorothy Morrisette and Burt Davis.

TEXT

1. GC: In the light of troubled world affairs and the difficult times ahead, please give a Christmas message which will help those gathered here to understand, meet and help others meet the conditions arising with a more Christ-like attitude.
2. EC: In considering the conditions that exist in the world, it is well that those present consider themselves and the means or manners in which they may induce others to consider the object of Christmas - the purpose for which the Christ came into the earth:
3. First - that the level of man's consciousness might be such that he, man, would be as aware of God as of himself.
4. Second - as in each of His promises to man - that love might abound; that there would be a CONTINUED communion with God through the Son, who offered Himself as a means of man's approach to the Father.
5. So, this message to all:
6. Keep that awareness of His presence. For, as He hath given, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." And though there may be abroad hate, avarice, selfishness, and those things that make men afraid, - be still within thine own heart, thine own consciousness, and know that He IS with thee.
7. Then, as ye give so do ye receive. As He hath given, the love of the Father to the children of men is manifested in that spirit of Christmas - Christ-mass - that which may now be raised to that consciousness, that level above man's way of thought, man's concept of force, power or might; and that the real strength, the real hope, the real contribution is in that still small voice within.
8. It is not in the tempest, not in the roar or the lore of the might of battle. Though there may be the destruction of life, of property (as is known materially) - no one can destroy the soul but self! NO ONE but SELF!
9. God hath not willed that any soul should perish, but hath given even His Son, that brought even into the world that spirit of Christmas.
10. Let thy message be:
11. There IS hope in Him. For there is the promise through, "Lo, I am with thee always, even unto the end of the world."
12. And though the world, the earth may pass away, though it may be burned up, though it may bring destruction to the material things, we look to Him, we know there is safety in Him.
13. FEAR not he that may destroy the body, but rather fear him that may destroy the soul in torment. Then, in love, in obedience, in prayer, follow Him.
14. Let that heart, that mind then be in thee as was in Him - "that ye love one another."
15. We are through for the present.
    [12/21/41 GD's note: Above reading is being mimeographed and sent to A.R.E. Members in lieu of the Dec. 1941 Bulletin.]

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of 281-59 - "Glad Helpers."

REPORTS

1. 1/08/42 EC wrote a letter to A.R.E. members asking them to join in prayer for him during the time of his readings. See detailed letter following below. About two hundred people responded.
   TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ASS'N FOR RESEARCH & ENLIGHTENMENT, INC:
   Another year has come and gone. Most of us are wondering "What next?"
   Considering the turmoil that is being wrought in our minds, with the 'all out' war against what most of us deem an attempt to bring the world to the principles of man rather than God, we wonder what should be our attitude regarding it all.
   For the past 41 years now I have attempted to give information purported to be of spiritual, mental and physical benefit. Many of you have accepted this because others have told you it had helped them. Many of you have experienced the good that might be derived from it. Most of you have formulated some idea in your own mind as to the sources of such information. But will it help in such an emergency as exists at this time, in the affairs of each one of us?
   This, I am sure, depends upon what is the ideal of the individual. So, what I wish to talk with you about a while this morning is:
   "WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL?"
   The information in the readings is given from the premise that GOD is the beginning and the end of man. Yet God made men FREE to choose whom he, man, would serve. Hence there is instilled in the heart of man the desire to be free to worship God as he chooses, to choose who would administer man-made laws, to administer the direction of his labors. Now, these are privileges given by God. Shall any man take them away?
   But, as we follow the history of man in the world, we see that this freedom has brought trouble to man. Why? For, constantly man has found that when he served self and the appetites of the body, evil came into his life. Thus has man become conscious of there being GOOD and EVIL in the earth. Man's destiny is to be a companion with God. God is Spirit and seeks such to worship Him, in spirit and in truth. Then as man gets away from the spirit of truth, other men seek to enslave him for their own greed. So is hate, jealousy, greed, war and suffering - in body and in mind - brought to the experience of man. What, then, is the ideal way of life? This, and this truly, is the way of life: "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GOD BEFORE ME," sayeth Jehovah; and "YE SHALL LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF."
   God is love. Only in love, then, - not selfish love, not possessive love, but in God-like, in Christ-like love, - may man see, feel, know the truth which sets one free.
   So has come any help that may have been yours through this channel; through a body's willingness to lay aside all physical consciousness and to rely on the promises of God to carry one through. And as such has been accepted in that way and manner, so has help come.
   The work, the message here then, is not man-made. It is either given with the spirit of love or the spirit of self. When requested or accepted in a selfish manner it has brought confusion, - not health, nor joy, nor peace.
   But taken in love, in hope, in faith that God is mindful of the children of men, it has brought, it does help bring, - physically, mentally and spiritually.
   Then, as members of the Association, in appreciation of what has come, what may come to us through this channel, won't we - each of us - set aside a few moments each day in prayer for Divine guidance?
   All who will do this, let me know at once. We will then try and see what the information has to offer as a direction in same. [See 281-60 on 2/03/42.]
   Faithfully yours, Edgar Cayce
   Feb. 1, 1942 is the deadline for your answer.
   [The first to reply "yes" were GC and GD as the letter came off the machine.]
2. 2/03/42 EC gave reading 281-60 for all those who had signified their willingness to join EC a few minutes each day for divine guidance.
3. 2/04/42 He wrote a letter [See letter in Reports of Reading 281-60, Par. R2] to all the same people enclosing a copy of 281-60.
4. As Secretary of the Prayer Group, Edgar Cayce typed this list himself: Prayer List for Divine Guidance Jan-8th 1942
   Mrs. E. K. Milholland Virginia Beach, Va. Miss Esther Wynne 2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va. Miss Augusta F. Boylston 55 West 55th Street, New York, NY Mrs. Helen Johnston 644 Park Place, Brooklyn, NY Charles Harribey 258 East 46th Street, New York, NY Mrs. Ina Lowthrop 39 Carmine Street, New York, NY Mrs. Margaret Otto 6 Jackson St., Stapleton, S.I. NY Dr. William D. Taylor 29 Maple Terrace, East Orange, NJ Alvin K. Wheeler 2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va. Miss Marion White 1142 Hanover Street, Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Helen Storey 2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va. Miss Edith M. Wells 48 Garth Road, Scarsdale, NY Mrs. Marion Wolfe 700 Jefferson Drive, North Hills Estates, Bellevue, Penna. Dr. N. L. Gunkel Harrington Park, NJ Dr. Enid Smith Limestone College, Gafney, SC Mrs. A. J. McClelland 893 Parkview Ave., Dayton, Ohio Mrs. J. J. Crume DeLand, Fla. Mr. Edwin C. Wood 164 West School Lane, Germantown, Penn. Mrs. A. L. Eggleston 539 Washigton Park, Norfolk, Va. Miss Myrtle Crane 15425 Young Ave., Detroit, Mich. Miss E. Millicent Horton 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY Dr. John R. Pike 90 State Street, Albany, NY Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Ostwald 18 East 16th Street, New York, NY Mrs. M. B. Mayer 118 East 76th Street, New York, NY Dr. Lulu Irene Waters 1707 Columbia Rd., Washington, D.C. Miss Mary Tobin 830 East 12th Street, Hopkinsville, KY Mrs. Virginia Harding Trucksville, Penna. Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Helms 2814 Cottge Toll Road, Norfolk, Va. Edna L. Reichl 1605 Bushwick Ave., Brooklyn, NY Miss Kathryne Patterson 56 N. Brockway, Youngstown, Ohio Jacob Cohen 427-429 East 76th Street, New York, NY Miss Virginia Boggs Green Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Mrs. Louise B. Green 2315 Tracy Place, Washington, DC Mrs. Frances Y. Morrow 3216 Verdune Ave., Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Maude Lewis Box 233, Greenville, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Swayne Box 42, Darian, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Poss 212 Woodland Terrace, Jefferson Park, Alexandria, Va. Miss Mary Ann Hickman 201 West 30th Street, Richmond, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Seay 425 South Main Street, Blackstone, Va. Mrs. W. M. Chadwick 312 Commerce St. Clarksville, Tenn. Mrs. Julia Chandler 120 East 37th Street, New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Savage 109 Pennington Ave., Passaic, NJ Mrs. Jean Koch 204 Glenburnie Street, Chapel Hill, NC Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Harrell 1507-M Street, N.W., Apt. 701, Washington, DC Miss Elizabeth Ellison 1630 King Street, Jacksonville, Fla. Dr. and Mrs. G. H. Palien and Daughter 2733 Netherland Ave., New York, NY Mrs. Eula Allen 804 Montauk Ave., New London, Conn. Jack Tobin SKc District Personnel Office, Great Lakes, Ill. Ralph Courtney 318 West 56th St., New York, NY Mrs. Ruth LeNoir 717 Lyons Court Lane, Charlottes- ville, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sugrue 11 Glendale St., Clearwater Beach, Fla. Mrs. Robert F. Miller 587 Los Altos, Ca. Mr. & Mrs. Marsden Godfrey 2709 LaFayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va. Miss Anne Trulock 120 Main St., Pine Bluff, Ark. Sister Ida, Evangelist Box 1715, Norfolk, Va. Mrs. M. Boocock Castalia, Keswick, Va. Mrs. Elizabeth O. Brown Arthurdale Inn, Arthurdale, W. Va. Mrs. L. C. Whitley 4712 Springfield Ave. Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Milton W. Harrison 56 Highland Circle, Bronxville, NY Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Hesson 928 Fairwin Ave. Nashville, Tenn. Miss Mary Wirsing 1001-3rd St. S.W. Roanoke, Va. Miss Eleanor Wirsing 1001-3rd St. S.W. Roanoke, Va. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Dillman see next letter Pvt. R. N. Ladd, Jr. Co. B97th, Q.M. Bn. Fort Sill, Okla. Mr. and Mrs. Noah Miller 3217 Verdune Norfolk, Va. Robert W. Sales Guilder Hollow Farm South Egremont, Mass. Mrs. Margaret Lee Maaske 311 West Rosemary St. Chapel Hill, N.C. Mrs. Grace P. Woodman Archer House, Chapel Hill, N.C. Mrs. L. E. Wagoner 1302 North Pleasant, Royal Oak, Mich. Joshua Manning 1730 Hancock Ave., Norfolk, Va. Miss Pat Bailey 2709 LaFayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Eugenia Megginson 110 Windermere, Norfolk, Va. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Copes 305 W. 26th St. Norfolk, Va. Miss Dorothy Wallace 40 Beechdale Rd. Dobbs Ferry, NY Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Rosborough 629 Penn. Ave. Norfolk, Va. Sgt. Boyd Davis Signal Corp, 29th Div. Camp Meade, Md. Miss Mary C. Robinson 21 Fenwood Rd. Boston, Mass. Mrs. Harry G. Hines 203 S. Rutland Watertown, NY Mrs. and Mrs. W. L. Jones 403 Broad St. Selma, Ala. Hugh West Cherokee Bldg. Hopkinsville, Ky. Miss Lillian F. Baddley 123 Marion St. Clarksville, Tenn. Claude A. Rice 1615 Kenyon St. N.W. Washington, DC Mrs. Charlotte Schilling 39 Rockland St. Melrose, Mass. Miss Ernestine Ruprecht 644 Brush Hill Rd. Milton, Mass. R. M. Taylor Room 438-49 Geary St. San Francisco, Ca. Miss Nonie Bailey 1300 Colonial Ave. Norfolk, Va. Nicholas Gulstine Edfield Sask, Canada Miss Florence Evelyn Campbell 105 North Van Ness Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. Dr. Mary Miller 105 N. Vaness Ave. Los Angeles, Ca. Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Allen Indian River Rd., 206 Norfolk, Va. Miss Maud F. Luff Apt.-510.236 Mass. Ave. N.E. Washington, DC Mrs. J. Waldine Rathbone The Woodstock, New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Ladd 30 Carroll Ave. Takoma Park, Md. Miss Rebakah Parker 235 East 49th St. New York, NY Mrs. Elizabeth W. Murphy The Westbury, New York, NY Mrs. Harry Koch 430 E. Main St. Moorestown, NJ Mr. and Mrs. Stewart L. McClelland 193 Greenwood Ave. Emsworth, Penn. Miss Annie Cayce 928 Fairwin Ave. Nashville, Tenn. Dr. L. H. Backman 40 West 55th New York, NY Mrs. Jane Williams Goodman Electric Co. 528 Bank St., Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Almeda Jane Newman 151 Orleans Circle, Norfolk, Va. Miss Kathryn Bane Oceana, Va. Mrs. Lydia J. Schrader Gray Marlborough House, Seattle, Wash. Miss Loraine Schrader Marlborough House, Seattle, Wash. Mrs. E. E. Dunning 299 Toilsome Hill Rd. Bridgeport Conn. Mrs. Lucy F. Simmons 19th St. and Arctic Ave. Va. Beach, Va. Mrs. Daisy Lawrence 2607 LaFayette Blvd. Norfolk, Va. Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Lawrence " " " " Mrs. Eddie Woods " " " " Mrs. Madie L. Riddick " " " " Mr. M. B. Lawrence " " " " Mr. and Mrs. Alex Ellington R.F.D. #1 Box 171 Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Helen Jablonski 790 Dawson St. Bronx, NY Mrs. Theodore Hellmers 38 New St. East Orange, NJ Mrs. Eleanor Morrow 3216 Verdune Ave. Norfolk, Va. Miss Florence R. Edmonds 611 Penn. Ave. Norfolk, Va. Mr. Austin Rice 3125 I.C.C. Bldg. Washington, DC Mrs. Lillian Whitmore 3945 Conn. Ave. N.W. Tilden Hall Washington, DC Mrs. Sallie A. Barkley " " " " Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Shaw 2810 Garrison Ave. Evanston, Ill. Mrs. Mercedes Lutz 146 E. 49th St. Apt. 4-C, New York, NY Mrs. Nora B. Ragsdale 2205 S. 8th St. Terre Haute, Ind. Burt Davis Uniforms by Ostwald, 18 E. 16th St. New York, NY Walter Goetz 4024 N. Radford Ave. North Hollywood, Ca. Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Strelzin 516 E. 43rd St. Brooklyn, NY Miss Mary Eugenia Reader Lynnhaven, Va. Mrs. Gladis Hardin 141-B. Baker St. Benmorrell, Norfolk, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Claude R. Gimbert 1333 Clarence Ave. Berwyn, Ill. Miss Helen Honeck 259 West 11th St. New York, NY Miss Sarah Cooper 803 S. Campbell St. Hopkinsville, Ky Mrs. Ellen T. Emmet High Mowing Farm, Wilton, N.H. Mrs. Alice Roby " " " Mrs. Stanley H. Tansey 802 Montauk Ave. New London, Conn. Miss Amanda Louise Forkner Shelton Hotel, Room 2401, New York, NY Mrs. Riley Simmons Box 506 Norfolk, Va. Mrs. W. G. Matney 234 West 19th St. Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Ruthie Denney 117 Fayton Ave. Norfolk, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gimbert Oceana, Va. Mrs. John Verhoeven Oceana, Va. Miss Jessie Wardrop 1 Grace Church St. Rye, NY Mrs. Beulah H. Emmet 1 Grace Church St. Rye, NY Miss Martha Chisholm 35th St. Va. Beach, Va. Mrs. Alma K. Hunt 1214-H St. Washington DC Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Burmaster 35th St. Va. Beach, Va. Miss Estella Smith R.R. Hopkinsville, Ky Mrs. Carrie Salter House " " " Miss Lillian McAllister " " " Miss Jennie Moore 27.7th Ave South New York, NY Mr. and Mrs. William Bidgood 623 Riverview Portsmouth, Va. Paul Bell 4515-97th Place Corona, L.I. NY Miss Cleo A. Rosso Goodman Electric Co. Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Alice B. Harris 130 Capeview Ave. Norfolk, Va. Mrs. Edgar Cayce Va. Beach, Va. Miss Gladys Davis " " " Mrs. Fred B. McCall Rocky Ridge Lane, Chapel Hill, N.C. Miss Susanna Kingsley 318 West 56th St. New York, NY Edward McCarthy Mid-Way Hotel, Lexington, Va.
   [186 responding. GD's note: This was perhaps over half the membership at that time.]

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