This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of David E. Kahn, 20 Woods Lane, Scarsdale, N.Y., this 2nd day of December, 1936, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [417], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [417] and Mrs. [1192].

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [417]; this we have had before.
2. And in that way and manner in which the soul-entity has desired and is in its basic forces and influences desirous of doing right and of giving that help and aid through and to those forces that are of the natures of truth - there is created and brought about that desire from here to aid and help.
3. For as has been indicated, THIS entity, this soul, is too precious in the eyes of the Creator that it should wantonly and without forethought leave off or get away from those basic influences and forces that do INNATELY prompt these desires, these forces and influences for good to others.
4. Hence we find those turmoils that have arisen and that have become a part of the entity's experience at this time are in a manner that of fear and self-condemnation at times.
5. And to justify self has allowed self to be drawn into those environs and those attempts to substitute material things for that which may only be found in the REAL desire of the entity to "do good" - spirituality!
6. Hence the entity having left God out of consideration with the thought of material duty, and with that desire to fulfill that which is - to be sure - the material manifestation of good. Yet ye cannot gain good by doing that which condemns thine own self. Ye cannot do good through evil channels. Ye cannot do evil and expect good to continually come from same.
7. These are as attempting to gather figs from thistles, or grapes from bramble briars. These are not the natural forces. Neither are they such that have prompted and do prompt that expression, the desire to do good and to be good. That is not man's problem alone to be good, but to be good FOR SOMETHING, to be good as a purposefulness! And these cannot be gained by the evil associations nor evil communications that make for the moments of satisfying either the material or the physical-mental desires in monetary gains.
8. Better that there be the crust alone of bread than the mansions of the millions with that of a condemning heart, a condemning spirit within self that there is a question mark after any activity, or any associations. For these are not God's ways, and thou hast KNOWN and thou dost know in thine heart of hearts the ways of good! Not that of long-facedness, not that of the saintly sinner, not that of the cynic; but doing good for Good's sake, doing good because it brings contentment, it brings harmony, it brings peace, it brings associations that create in the hearts of the associates JOY and HOPE and the LONGING for the greater knowledge of the SOURCE of good. Not just good but BEING, acting, thinking in terms of that honest, due consideration for each and every individual, and not the advantage by chance, not the advantage by foreknowledge, not the advantage in any way or manner over thy fellow man.
9. For as in the manner ye treat thy fellow man ye treat thy Maker. And ye CANNOT do that which is questioning in thine own heart and soul to thy neighbor, to thy wife, to thy child, without it bringing turmoil, without it bringing discontent, without it bringing confusion. For these are the children of confusion, questioning thine own self.
10. Then, in what way, in what manner, where has the error been, how can the self find self?
11. Know first, the Lord thy God hath not tempted any soul, He hath not given any soul that it may not meet. And He hath prepared a way of escape for each soul if it will but harken to that voice deep WITHIN! Not through some long-winded individual's sayings, not that there will not be those inclinations to say, "Well, this or that or the other makes little or no difference," but that which is the prompting of the inner conscience.
12. For this YE know well, has tripped or whipped thee oft. YE know well how there has come again and again that attempt to not face that ye know in thine own heart, by doing that which would for the moment - possibly - give the opportunities for monetary or material gains. But these take wings and ye curse thy luck. There is no luck - only God's service! For the earth is His and He will not ALWAYS chide thee, neither will He always be longsuffering - lest YE show in thine own heart that ye are patient and longsuffering and can endure hardships, can endure those taunts and jeers of those who are worldlywise - yea, that may be in those positions of power through their own - as they call - material gains. But these, too, falter; these, too, fail. And only that thou hast deep in thy soul and conscience does last. And to live in life with a conscience that is continually dogging thee, continually warring against thine own better self in the desire to do good, is to indeed live in a hell fire itself.
13. And ye can, ye know the way! Turn about! Face thyself! Speak with Him! For His promises have been, "When ye call I WILL HEAR!" No matter how far ye have gone. For ye may find Him. For if ye take wings and fly unto the uttermost parts of heaven, He is there! Though ye make thy bed in hell, He is there!
14. Then call and He will hear, and ye will know that there is greater satisfaction. For as indicated in the desire, there is the feeling, the knowledge of duty, of obligation, of those conditions that surround thee in the nature of thy own loved ones, those that make to thee life and its experiences worthwhile. And the fear of what others might say, thou hath failed in this, thou hath failed to keep this or that, has caused thee OFT to do and to dodge thine own conscience.
15. But these working with thee, and if ye will call together - Together thy problems ARE ONE! Thy desires must be one, thy purposes must be holy before Him. Ye CANNOT with thy mouth praise or bless God and with thy activities curse thy neighbor. For in thy neighbor is the image of that God ye would bless or call upon.
16. Then TOGETHER, first approach that Throne of not merely promise as one to another, but rather as determining in the heart, in the very soul of self, "Come what will or may, we will face the issues of life - in His name; trusting in Him for the very desire to do good, to be shown the way day by day."
17. For He hath not and does not fail those who put their abounding trust in Him.
18. Then, right thyself about. Make those associations with either of those connections that may be had, either in the clothing or the dress goods of the wholesale nature. For not to individuals alone but to groups, to masses may ye appeal, may ye present that SAME desire - to do good.
19. For in the honest meeting of the needs of the masses, in that which satisfies not merely their vain desires but for that which enables such individuals to meet their fellow men upon an equal footing.
20. Thus may the self be worthy of the hire, in giving honest labors - not of chance, not of foreknowledge, not of other than as He hath given - even to the ox that treadeth the corn is there the deserving of those influences that maketh life to him but the satisfying of the needs of the body. [Deut. 25:4; I Cor. 9:9; I Tim. 5:18] Then how much greater in the eyes of the Maker is the soul that seeks to do good, not for glory, not for fame, but that the knowledge of the Lord in its associations with its fellow man may make for this greater channel of blessings to others.
21. Through such connections and such associations these as we find may be established in ways and manners that VERY SOON there will be not only sufficient means for the care of self, for the care of wife and child, but for the doing of those things that present themselves from time to time as ways and means and manners in which - because of the good that has come to thee - the good then may be made aware in the experiences of others.
22. Ready for questions.
23. (Q) What is meant by clothing, also dress goods? Men's clothes, ladies dresses and coats or shoes or children's apparel?
    (A) In clothing is meant either coats and suits and overcoats or women's apparel in dresses and coats and suits. These we find are the better, and the greater channel for the activity of the entity for not merely as a salesman but as an honest salesman, as a good salesman, as one with the ability to create and to make for confidences and to give confidence and have the confidence of others.
    For when such is done, then there is built up that which cannot be destroyed or hindered by other forces that may arise in the experience.
24. (Q) Which specific business would be the best to concentrate on? In the ladies' line or the men's?
    (A) As we find, there is more sympathy for the entity in the ladies' line. But beggars are not choosers, neither are those who are seeking to do right, to do good, to DO the things, stopped at stooping to do that which in the moment may not be just that desired to be done; but they DO refrain from the associations, the connections that to the body and to the entity are KNOWN to lead to old conditions of distrust. We would concentrate, then, upon ladies' garments and cloaks and suits and dresses. These are preferable.
25. (Q) Is it more advisable to take a position with somebody else, or should I try to start my own business?
    (A) Begin with working FOR someone else. Then, as the trade is better understood (Travel!), as there is the better knowledge - and apply self TO SAME! diligently, honestly; and forget the days of old! Look not back upon this or that, or other things. But say rather,
    "God being my helper and my judge, and with the help of my wife and my son, I will do that I KNOW to be right in the sight of God and my fellow man!"
    And in this manner, in this attitude, the outlook upon life will be as new hope, as a resurrection of that which is innate within this body and soul.
    For the body, the soul, is indeed precious in the eyes of thy Maker!
26. (Q) What would be the best time to make arrangements for getting into this business?
    (A) The new spring season is soon beginning, or the ending of it - but begin NOW! and commence with those that begin for the late spring and the early summer and the fall. And we will find it will open as a sesame, if this determination will be held as has just been made, as has just been given.
27. (Q) Would it be wise to represent a manufacturer from out of town?
    (A) This is very well, or those that may be more closely associated in ANY of those. Do not choose so much, but make self determine. But, to be sure, as ye distribute, as ye represent, do not represent that in which ye thyself have NOT the faith and confidence in that you would want it sold to yourself if you were in the other person's position!
    But this done, the way will open.
    DO IT!
28. (Q) Should I try to get a high price or cheap line?
    (A) That which is the better of the cheap line, or that which is of not the extreme in either direction.
29. (Q) Should I go to see Morris Schwartz pertaining to a salesman position? or would you suggest the name of some other firm which might be more advisable, or more beneficial?
    (A) Take that as has just been given to do first. First ye do not seek Morris or any firm, until thou hast determined within thine own heart that the whole program of thy life, thy associations, of thy wife, of thy son, is taken into consideration. And then, when this is done, and there is and there will come to thine experience that thou art indeed able and willing to do and dare - not merely for tomorrow's bread, not merely for tomorrow's security of thy son and thy wife, but for thy GOD and for thy love of good and for thy love of being not merely looked up to as being a good salesman, but good FOR SOMETHING in those abilities!
    And ye will find the way will OPEN! Do not think ye can take short cuts. Oft these have been attempted. Too oft thine own good intentions have become the cobblestone to that of near self-destruction, to self-effacement, to that of "Damn the luck" that has brought so much of the spoiling of thy faith in thyself and in thy fellow man.
    But if ye do these, then whether Morris Schwartz (for this is a good association or connection) or to others that open before thee, the way will come.
30. (Q) Should I try and borrow some money to keep up my shoe business, or should I let it go?
    (A) When ye have made the connections, dispose of the shoe business. Cut thyself away from all of thine OLD associations or connections.
31. (Q) What can I do to increase the sales at my shoe business long enough to build up my new business?
    (A) As we find, if there are those first things done first - first things done FIRST! Then ye will find the way is opened and there is shown thee step by step. Not ONLY the manner in which there may be the disposal of the shoe business to advantage, but the new associations, as the representative, become sufficient to care for all the needs and the good intentions - if the intentions are kept.
    And may the blessings of the God that giveth thee life and hope sustain thee, ever!
32. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 417-7 on 10/11/33 seeking to get reestablished in business.
2. 11/29/36 See wife's rdg. 1192-7 regarding their home and marriage, possibility of their separation, etc. See especially Par. 8-A regarding the inner purposes and greatness of [417]'s soul; Par. 17-A and 18-A in re his abilities in a material way, and Par. 21-A advising that he obtain a personal rdg.

REPORTS

1. 12/07/36 EC's letter: "This I want you to know, [417]. I have thought more of you than any acquaintance I have had through the years caused by meeting on account of 'the work.' Yet, somehow, I felt nearer to you that evening we sat and talked for a few minutes than I have ever felt before. Do hope the suggestions given [in the rdg.] will mean much to you, not because of the rdg. but because I think so much of you. I know it is not going to be an easy matter for you to get located as you would like, but know you have the right stuff in you to make a go of it once you get going. Please know, [417], am anxious about you and your wife and boy, for we all love them. Do let me hear from you ever so often - don't let so many days and weeks go by without a line - miss them and need them, and a word from you often means more than any other nine men I know. I really mean that."
2. 12/10/36 "Dear Edgar, your expressions of your feelings towards me are lovely, and I want you to know that I feel exactly the same towards you and your family... So far I have had no luck in regards to making a connection, but I am trying to plant some eggs, and I am also answering several advertisements and I hope and pray that something may come of it all... Business as usual very poor with me at the store, and I banked so on the holiday business to help me out a little, but so far no good."
3. 3/15/37 Mrs. [1000]'s letter: "First, I must tell you that Mr. [417] is settled at [...]'s in the commissary dept. where I think he will make a good job of it. He has charge of the buying and has a splendid opportunity for learning the restaurant business."
4. 4/19/37 Wife [1192]'s letter: "[417] is now connected with my brother...in the restaurant temporarily, until something turns up."
5. 5/02/38 "I have been on the down grade so long I don't know how much longer I can hold out, although I am now trying to get backing to go into a business and I don't have to tell you how hard that is; if you don't have your own money it is just too bad."
6. 5/05/38 EC's letter: "You know I am aware of what it means when someone else controls the money; while observation tells me money isn't all, a certain amount is necessary, but that amount is so pliable. It is well for us to keep the love of right, the love of God, the hope to be helpful every day to others, for all the money there is is only loaned to those who handle it, and the greater question after all is, "How good is our credit with the real keeper - our God?" That may sound rather preachy, but think it over."
7. 12/24/38 See Mr. [417]'s sister-in-law's rdg. 1000-21, Par. 9-A, 10-A advising her to seek his help in putting her product on the market.
8. 2/05/45 See their letter, in wife's handwriting, to GC following EC's death - under 1192-7 Reports.
9. 1/13/50 We heard that Mr. [417] was in the restaurant business, this time with another firm, not his brother-in-law's.
10. 1/17/62 HLC wrote Mr. [417] and Mrs. [1192] saying it was such a surprise and pleasure to see them and their friends at one of his lectures in Florida and to chat with them a few minutes the next day: "You are both looking extremely well, and I can understand after moving around in Fla. a bit why you have selected this part of the country for retirement... My love to you both and best wishes."

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