This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 22nd day of May, 1934, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [556], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Hugh Lynn Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [556], Mrs. [2470], Mildred Davis and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: We have the body, the soul-mind, [556], present in this room; with those problems in the mental and the material relationships of the body [556] at this time.
2. In giving that which may be helpful and constructive for the body, and for the soul's development, it will be well that there be reviewed for the moment the purposes for which the soul entered this experience.
3. That there has been in the experiences in the earth that which has made for soul development with this body, now known as [556], present in this room, is evidenced not only by the problems that are of the material nature but those influences that have prompted the mental attitude of self and those with whom the entity has been and is associated.
4. For, as has oft been given, the soul is that which is to be made one with the Creator, through experience and through the application of that knowledge and understanding respecting the laws of the cosmic or God-Force in a material world. And what the soul, the individual, does respecting such laws, such activities, makes for that preparedness within the inner self for the companionship with those celestial influences that make for the directing and the associations of ideas and of conditions in the realm of whatever activity in which the entity finds itself.
5. In the present, then, the associations make for those conditions wherein and whereunto the soul must make its choice; as to whether things are to be viewed from the material angle or from the soul's development - that must live on and on. And the choice also makes for the realm of activity in which are those things and conditions upon which every soul's development must depend. For, will and choice is the gift of the soul - that it may make of itself that which may be in the closer relationships with the spirit of truth, of life, of light, of understanding.
6. Then, in counseling with self, we find that in whatever realm of activity the soul's relationships are found, the BODY - the soul - is subject to the environs, the laws, the relationships of that realm. Just as the experience of the body in its material relationships has found, under the various forms of ethics, the activities in political science and in the relationships of the various governmental influences, these change according to environ. So does the activity of the body, the soul, in its varied relationships find that it is amenable to environs. But what the soul, the mind, the mental faculties, the intellect, does respecting that it KNOWS and is able to apply in its experience respecting the soul's development or the laws of the creative forces or energies called God, in whatever realm, governs whether there is produced in self and in the soul that harmony, peace, understanding that makes for a contentment in whatever realm; not satisfied, no, but using - and with the abilities to use that in hand day by day, that here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept, there may be added unto self that which will bring the more and more awareness of that soul's development for the purposes for which it came into this special realm of activity at this time.
7. For, being of the world and in the world, the activities of the soul do not necessarily partake of the world, but rather those things upon which the soul itself may feed and bring into its experience that which will bring the peace that passeth understanding in Him.
8. For, He is the light; and His promises are sure to those that do not condemn themselves nor the neighbor for their faultfinding or for their inconsistencies in their activities. For He said that thine own self condemns, "I do not condemn thee." But the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul into such activities as to make aware to those who may contact the body from day to day that he walks and talks with the Light of the world.
9. Ready for questions.
10. (Q) In view of existing circumstances and opposition, should I change my present occupation?
    (A) In the realm of the present activity has gone the soul, the mind, the abilities for that whereunto it may raise those vibrations of ALL that may become aware of the abilities of self in that direction. To change from same would be to set not only self back, but to become as one pitying self, one as already self-condemned. But use that thou hast obtained unto the present, and know that - though under stress and strain, as has been given - there may be here the word, there the activity, here the expression that will - as the leaven - leaven the whole lump. Fulfil in self that thou hast gained, in the place where thou art. Let thy light so shine in those places where thou art called into activity for others, for the material things of self, in such a way and manner that it will bring that contentment which is of HIS making.
11. (Q) Just how should I meet the opposition in my church activities?
    (A) That there has been and is organized service and activities in the various realms of that called church service is evidence that these in the main are seeking, as well as thou. They that scattereth not abroad, as He gave, will gather into the fields of activity. Not that ye CONDEMN self, nor that ye condemn others for THEIR activity toward that thou maintainest in self; but meet them even as He. Render unto the church that which is the church, whether in creed or in organization, but render unto God, unto Christ, the SERVICE that is His in whatever field of activity thou goest. In meeting it in this manner will ye unseat those that would ride over thee in ANY opposition.
12. (Q) Please suggest lines of activity in my present work that will meet the needs and present conditions.
    (A) In associating self in the capacity of the leader or the director or instructor in those services whereunto thou hast gained much in material understanding, in spiritual understanding and spiritual awakening. Or, as has been OFFERED thee, that has been shown thee that there can be in thine experience the supervision over those services, those activities in that particular field to which thou hast lent thine self. Accept it! Not that ye renounce self! But you can keep your mouth shut! Yet keep the heart open! SING it unto all, and He in His ways, His time, will bring to self, to those about self, those fields of activity that are in keeping with that He would have thee do. Let HIM have His WAY with thee!
13. (Q) Any further counsel or advice for me at this time in relation to my mental and spiritual development?
    (A) Enter oft into closer communion with Him, for He has promised to meet those there that seek in the inner recesses of the heart for the voice of thy leader, thy savior, thy God. For, as He gave of old, "Think not who will ascend to bring Him down, or who would go over the sea to bring Him unto thee, or to make His ways known unto thee." But rather thou wilt find Him in thine own heart. And "Let others do as they will or may, as for me and my house we will serve a LIVING God." Not a mental god, not a god of stone, not one of position or power, but rather as that which lives in the hearts and souls of those that come and seek as He gave, "As ye ask in my name, believing, it will be done unto thee, that I may be glorified in thee and thou in me, and that the Father's glory may be shed abroad." So let the inner self direct thee. So let thy light shine in thy service to others in the places where thou art. Do not LIFT others to an exalted position but rather, as He, stoop down where they are, that they may IN THEE - through the light and aid He gives thee - become aware that the Father, the Christ, the Lord, may speak to them today.
14. (Q) Is there any counsel for the wife [2470] in assisting him?
    (A) Let thy yeas be yea, thy nays be nay. Be not overzealous; for, as He has given, "Thine zealousness hath eaten thee up." But stand ye steadfast in the Lord, for HE will guide and sustain thee, though there needs be that thou bridlest thine own activity at times. Yet in the greater service wilt thou be called as the change comes.
15. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy of portion to Work Book

BACKGROUND

1. Mr. [556] had 2-3 yrs. before given up his church work and gone with William Dudley Pelley's group, [GALAHAD COLLEGE, Foundation for Christian Economics, [Inc.] Ashville, N.C.,] been disillusioned, and had since been unable to establish himself. He was English, had at one time worked with the Westminster Abbey choir (London, England); sang in grand opera in Europe eight yrs. He had an American wife and one small son.

REPORTS

1. GD's note: Both he and his wife expressed that they were highly pleased with the rdg. [556-1] and encouraged. His wife, Mrs. [2470], said that Mr. [556] was of an artistic and highly sensitive temperament, easily upset by "dumbness" of others, especially in their expression of music.
2. 6/23/34 He obtained a Physical Rdg., 556-2, for a condition thought to be ulcers of the stomach.
3. See subsequent Ck. Physical Rdgs., especially 556-5 Reports.
4. 1/08/37 Wife [2470]'s letter: Right here - Mr. Cayce - let me tell you something. I have faith in you as a Christ-like man, a thorough Christian gentleman, as in no other person I now know, nor have ever known. I believe you are one person who has no sham, who seeks no publicity, has no secret faults. Now, my hubby says, if I told him that he would think he were a millionaire (Well then, I say, there is only one richness, and there is only one person richer than another, and that one, is the one that has the more love in his heart) for as he knows me being a person so exacting, so set upon justice, that he had never thought anyone on this earth-plane would measure up to those standards of godliness, which I call plain GOOD. I told him, well, I paid him a great compliment when I married him.
   We were called into a conference last night, and then when we were alone, I told him what I thought about you, just as I am telling you now. In this conference I was ashamed, abashed for those that called themselves seekers after wisdom and truth. Boldly, I said, I wish to wash my hands of bringing any charge against this person, Who am I to judge. I don't care to lose the friendship of the whole world, when it comes to measuring the standards of righteousness. I told Mr. [556], later of all the physic people I know or had known so far there is but 2 that have proven true. They see, they hear, they write. Why can't we always rely on the information, and why do you think, I know Mr. Cayce is different, just one reason and one only, and that is, Mr. Cayce lives the life and there is something besides the message that counts. One must live close to the Master to attune to the true vibration, for he said, "If ye love me, keep ye my commandments" and "the things that I do, ye can do and greater things."
   Mr. Cayce, for you to understand, I am not interested in all these people that run to these study classes and delve and delve into the mystic and the unknown and who we were before, etc., and make no effort to live the teachings of the lessons that are given. The greatest sorrow my heart has ever known came to me, last summer, through just such a source, but I am interested in those who seek to follow the teachings of the Master in their daily living, and I was so glad to hear you express yourself along these lines, during the conference on that Sunday afternoon at your home, last summer, and I hope that you will preach that continuously this year.
   You know the finest thing I have ever heard in a study- class meeting, and it was because it was so seemingly trifle and passed almost unnoticed, but in my heart it has lived and been nourished in my garden of thought, until it is a glorious plant, a bright glowing yellow. It was Miss Wynne who stated that she felt ugly because of a few statements she had made that day, which she related in detail, and she so generously acknowledged the lack of at-one-ness in the act, and it recalled to mind, a paragraph from a lecture I read when I first began study, in my elementary way, of metaphysics. It was a discourse from the other side from a sister to a sister up in Baltimore, and she said "Emma, dear it all amounts to just one thing. No matter what great philosophy you study, or what great philosopher you try to follow, it all amounts to just this. Just be good. In All things, always KIND. Kind to the other fellow no matter what he may do to you."
   Going further with my eulogy, Mr. Cayce, I furthermore, appreciate you because I have never heard you criticize anyone, anytime, about anything. One party being a stranger to me, and as I listened, in my mind, I said - in all kindness to you, I do not believe a word of that, because I have always observed, listened, and watched in order to establish that, one fact about you in my consciousness.
   This letter is being written, on the account of not seeing you during the holidays, and it expresses our holiday greeting, our Xmas card, and gift. It is said, we say all the good things about one after they are gone, I want to say to the person while they are still here.
5. 7/17/38 They referred Mr. [1641] for a Life Reading.
6. 9/22/38 He formally reopened his School of Voice.
7. 9/06/40 Wife [2470]'s ltr.: "Mr. [556]'s work has been nothing this year and it taxes me to the last cent for current expenses each month, but if my plans carry out for this fall, I want to make monthly contribution in my deep heart-felt appreciation for the wonderful service you are giving to humanity."
8. 8/22/43 See son's Life Rdg. 1519-8, Par. 52-A indicating their close association in England and in Egypt.
9. 3/17/63 He died at the age of 84.

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