This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 2nd day of September, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [641], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [641].

TEXT

1. HLC: You will have before you the entity, [641], present in this room, who seeks information, advice and guidance as to his life and work. Considering his connections and associations with the firm of [412], Inc., the possibilities of being called into the army, also the opportunity for a job with the ... Railway at ..., the entity seeks guidance in making a choice between these possibilities: Should he take the job with the ... Railroad, remain with the [412]'s, or enlist in the armed services rather than wait to be drafted. Please indicate which of these would be best for the entity's mental, spiritual and material development; answering the questions that may be asked:
2. EC: Yes, we have the entity here; those possibilities and probabilities as may arise in the experience of this entity.
3. When all conditions are considered, - innately there is experienced deep within self the conviction that there should be SOME activity in the defense of the country.
4. If there is a possibility - through enquiry - of the entity's being put in charge of the military or uniform department in a supply camp, we would enlist - or ask for such services.
5. Otherwise, as has been indicated - while there may be the acceptance of a job with the Railroad - we find that the service, the activities are with textiles or clothing, or uniforms, or those things that have to do with clothes. These should be the channels in which the entity may find the greater outlet for the abilities of the entity, and in which there may be made in the material the greater opportunity for using those means or opportunities for greater contribution to the welfare of self and others.
6. Not to enlist, then, in armed service, but enlist in a service wherein there may be the activities in keeping with the same character of work; that is, any induction camp, - as at Lee, or any of those new camps - as Campbell; or as McClellan, or the like. These might give the entity the opportunity for the fulfilling of those innate desires and opportunities for a service, and be in keeping or in line with that in which a greater service may be rendered.
7. Ready for questions.
8. (Q) If I am to remain with [412], should I continue working part time in the office and part time on the road?
   (A) As indicated, this is well, especially during these particular periods - unless there IS the opportunity of the camp fulfillment, see? and then there would be the understanding, of course, that this would be only a duration or temporary change, and then keep the affiliation with [412].
9. (Q) [Left out of extra copies] If I am to continue working part time in the office, suggest how I may obtain a more definite and satisfactory arrangement financially for this part of my work?
   (A) This has to be worked out with the individuals in authority; it may not be indicated from here. These are satisfactory, and may be made satisfactory, but come to some understanding or agreement.
10. (Q) During the next few months should the emphasis be placed more on the sale of plant protection uniforms, or band and drum corps uniforms?
    (A) This will be about equally divided. For in the next few months there will be those opportunities for the band uniforms, but there will also be the protective uniforms, see?
11. (Q) In what branch of the armed services is it best for me to enter?
    (A) It is not in the army, as we have indicated! It is storekeeper on the induction camp! This in defense service!
12. (Q) How would I go about to make connections for such service?
    (A) Those that are in authority from Washington!
13. (Q) Could [257] be of any assistance to me in this?
    (A) If you know what you want, and where you want it, and under whose charge it is, he may be of service!
14. (Q) Could any advice regarding my health be given at this time?
    (A) If we had a Health Reading, we might give advice on health! We only have the entity, and the mind, and the activities and associations with others. We will find the health and body, if it so chooses. In consideration of the general conditions and activities in the body, we find that there are general improvements. Still there are the needs to keep those activities from the usage of the elm and the Yellow Saffron in the system rather regularly, that there be a strengthening in the walls of the upper intestines. These, with the malted milk, dry milk, or those combinations of milk with malt, will materially aid in these directions.
    While there is a great improvement, of course - through great strains of any kind, whether in lifting, pushing, pulling, or of too long standing on feet - there may be caused an undoing of much that has been accomplished thus far.
    These are a part of those conditions in general, or as a whole, taken into consideration in the advice or counsel respecting the physical activities; as well as the associations of the entity in activities through experiences which make for the outlet for the expressions of the relationships of this entity with those of its fellow men in this particular period of activity.
    Keep in the mental attitude of being constructive. BE OPTIMISTIC! Even when there are those experiences when apparently all things about the entity seem to be at disagreement, keep self in that attitude of being at peace with self and others.
15. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy to Mr. [412]
    Copy to Mr. [391]

BACKGROUND

1. See 641-8 on 1/02/42.

REPORTS

1. GD's note: He worked for a couple of weeks or so with the ... Railroad, in the freight office, under Mr. [416]'s supervision; said he had never worked so hard in his life and with such little satisfaction.
2. 10/22/42 Letter to GD from N.Y.:
   Well, things seem to be coming along both as far as my prospects for a job with the Army Post Exchange as well as a chance of promotion with the [412]'s.
   The Post Exchange officer at Camp Lee, Virginia has sent a letter to the [412]'s asking for references about me. Also, Mr. [412] has approached me about breaking me into Mr. [his brother]'s job here in the office. Of course that is just what I had been trying to arrange all along.
   Now that both prospects above seem to be in the realm of possibility, I don't know just what I should do. That is which one should I concentrate on. Mr. [412] knows about my trying to get a job in the Post Exchange, but of course he would expect me to give up the idea if I would take the proposition which they are thinking about offering me.
   Of course, I would prefer, I think, to stay where I am since the possibilities for progress seem to be much better. On the other hand there might be some obligation on my part involved in my accepting the other job if offered since I might be of more service regarding the defense effort of the country.
   I may have to make a decision shortly, but I thought I would let you know what is happening. I would like to know what you think about it and also Mr. Cayce. Anyway I would hate to stay at the [412]'s if I would feel that I was neglecting my duty to the country.
   P.S. Crawford Gillis came up to New York yesterday and spent the afternoon and part of the evening. I got off for the afternoon and toured the art galleries. We went to an excellent French restaurant for dinner and afterwards went to a concert. Enjoyed it very much.
   By the way, I wonder if Mr. Cayce is planning to come up to New York this Fall. Mr. [412] said he thought you came every year about this time.
3. 11/01/42 "Well, I have just rec'd an offer of a job in the Post Exchange at Camp Lee, Va. I rec'd a letter asking me to report for a personal interview, since this was required before anyone is employed. However, they asked that I be ready to go to work when I reported, so I am quite sure I will get the job. The salary is $35 weekly to start with. In the meantime, before I rec'd the letter above, Mr. [412]'s brother] offered me the proposition of a job in the office, breaking me in to do some of his work, since because of present conditions he is not able to take care of the office work. I told him that I would take the job, but reserved the right to take a job with the Post Exchange if and when it was offered. It so happened that Post Exchange job was offered me the very next day.
   "It is very difficult to leave the [412]'s at this time, since they apparently need me more than ever now. But I feel that I must take the other job, regardless, because I feel that it is an opportunity to be of some little service; and if I didn't take it, I know that I couldn't have much respect left for myself. I only hope that I can make the [412]'s realize that, and not think that I just want to leave then."
4. 11/19/42 "The job seems to be working out fine so far, and I think I am going to like it a lot."
5. 2/43 He was classified 4-F for the Army.
6. 6/02/43 Little niece's Life Rdg., 1635-3, indicated, in Par. 48-A, that she and [641] were closely associated in their French incarnation.
7. 7/27/43 "I have been made manager of the 0.C.S. Clothing Shop at Camp Lee. Just what the reading said I should get. It is a big job, though, and I shall be busier than ever."
8. 2/12/44 He got married (teacher of the 4th grade in the public school system). [Subsequently they had three children, a boy 11/07/44, a girl 7/01/53, a boy 1/13/60.]
9. 6/13/44 He referred Miss [5214] for a Life Rdg.
10. 1/26/46 He suggested the following to GD in re the A.R.E. program:
    1. Regarding WRE: I liked the old way of writing an introduction to each Extract, but I haven't missed it since you've stopped it. It's good without the introduction, if you just get the key words for the titles.
    2. Each WRE and each Bulletin should have a climax stimulating people to help the Ass'n help others - ask for it in an inspirational manner.
    3. I think it would be well to work toward combining the Bulletin, WRE and Diary-Letter in one publication, instead of having so many different things coming. You forget whether you've read this or that. If you had it all in one piece you could keep up with it better - like a newspaper - furnish it to all members - everything - and they could read it at their leisure - the part first they're more interested in, etc.
    4. The present WRE & Bulletin would give the impression that the Ass'n has everything it wants - it does not need or want new members - they carry the impression that the Ass'n is afraid to ask for anything - more like it's trying to run a business. I think the real value to the people is in arousing their emotional approach to various phases of the work, so that they feel better for giving to it to help somebody else. Don't give them the impression that the Ass'n gives value received in material ways but in spiritual. They feel better and more in accord when they're a part of something that is to help many others. Stress what the readings say about only possessing what you give away. Don't sell your WRE and Bulletin and Diary-Letter. GIVE them to members. Stimulate the members to give them to others, to contribute to build up these publications so they can reach more people.
    5. Why go off to other places to raise money when you're not utilizing the very things you have at hand? Stress in all your publications that the Ass'n can DO THIS OR THAT if it gets the backing. Ask people to support the Ass'n in a material way so that it CAN get out more and more material along this line. Build up what you have instead of spreading over so much territory and talking about what you're planning to do in the future. Get the members to get behind and push and HELP you do MORE of what you ARE doing already, since it is so worth while and helping them now. Don't just announce to the members that you're planning to carry out such and such a program. Let THEM urge the carrying out of a broader program, but stimulate them so that they will be the ones to broaden out and feel that THEY are making it possible.
    6. It's obvious that the Ass'n needs material support. Don't be afraid to ask for it. Ask in the way that they see that by their support of the Ass'n ALL can benefit. Each periodical should end with an inspirational paragraph the sole purpose of which is to invite the members to help the Ass'n help many more people as they have been helped. Even if the Ass'n doesn't use the money properly, as you seem to think it hasn't done in the past, the people who give the money have gotten good out of it. It means more to them because they have given to it. Why stress one item or one fund - not just the house but what it stands for. Get money without any strings attached to it. Just ask for it to further give the very thing which he has gotten out of the work - to give it to someone else.
    7. It takes something like that to move me, and I think most people are like that. They'll give when you make a desperate appeal, when you're down and out, but they have to be reminded continually - and in a way that appeals to their emotions. A lot of people already on your membership probably are just waiting for such an appeal. Indicate that in whatever manner they can give it is thankfully received, and will be used to further the work, but don't get it with strings attached.
    8. The Ass'n has asked for money so little. It almost seems that it is afraid to ask for it.
    9. Asking for money should be tied up in general with your plans for using the money. For instance, you might be able to outline something that is needed and let them know the reason you haven't done it is because of lack of funds. But the average person doesn't care for statistics. Don't bother about giving the members a financial statement of how much has been contributed, etc., and how it's been used in detail, etc. - that gets his mind off the inspirational angle of it and heckling over details. Let the whole thing remain on an inspiration basis. Get their minds attuned to the great possibilities. Let them think how wonderful it will be to do this or that.
    10. Tie it all up with that idea the reading presents, "You only possess that which you give away." If the members are stimulated to give so that the Ass'n may give more and more, then everybody benefits, and the person who gives most of all.
11. 9/46 Mr. [641] ret'd to N.Y. with the [412] firm where he had worked before the war.
12. 8/31/50 Letter enclosing his Active Membership dues: "Many thanks for A SEARCH FOR GOD #2. It is a wonderful book."
13. 12/04/50 He made generous 3-yr. pledge to Edgar Cayce Foundation.
14. 5/51 We heard that he was very active and helpful in the N.Y. area A.R.E. Study Group work.
15. 7/65 He visited A.R.E. with his family - said he had been very successful in his job as Sales Representative in the N.Y. area for the uniform company, the same one with which he became associated in the spring of 1939. He said he doubted very much if he would ever have gotten into that work without the advice of the reading, but he had been very happy in it.
16. 8/30/65 GD's note: To this date he has remained an active and participating member of A.R.E.
17. See subsequent health information reported under 641-7 Reports.
18. See subsequent Reports on his Life Reading under 641-1.

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