This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 3rd day of December, 1928, in accordance with request made by Mr. [900].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the bodies, the enquiring minds, [195] and [900]. These we have had before. The dreams, visions, or impressions as come to the bodies, should be used, applied, in the ways and manners as has been outlined for them. Ready for dream.
2. (Q) [195]'s, November 28, 1928. [900] said, "[257] has done us a dirty trick," referring to the Ass'n, I said, "It will probably work out alright," but [900] wanted to go right down to Virginia Beach, so he, [137] and I took the train without waiting for our baggage.
   (A) This as presented to the body, recognizing the unstableness in actions of the body seen, and as has been mentally felt might under circumstances act in a manner as would be felt as underhand, or - as expressed - dirty trick. These, then, are rather warnings that when or should such conditions occur, they should not be unmindful of the purpose and the real intent of the act. Knowing the body is as sincere as they in HIS activities, yet viewing the same thing from a different angle gets or gains impressions that to another are unsatisfactory. Remembering, then, that thoughts are deeds and may be crimes or miracles, depending upon the application of that in activity, for any act may be misconstrued but were the purpose, intent, the heart, the core, the real IT, or real I AM, known or studied - Then do not be hasty in criticism, for any, but rather be in that accord wherein as one would be friendly to have friends; one would be mindful of another as they would have others be mindful of themselves. Be tolerant towards those that are not of the same mind, and rather in the personal application of truth known, bring such an one to a more perfect understanding of that as is seen IN the application OF truth, see? No special significance of an individual act. Rather, as given, a culmination of thought, mental application, see? [11/09/29 See 257-50, Par. 24-A indicating that [900] had helped [257] in re stock investments.]
3. (Q) [900]'s recently regarding Sou. R.R., Amer Tel & Tel & Radio.
   (A) These, as seen, are not definite in their presentation, but as the body has been warned, rather be IN that position of being clear of industrials save that as is desired to be held, irrespective of present prices that may be held intact and forgotten. As respecting rails (Southern), these - as has been given - would be rather the criterion for the market - and, as will be seen, the activities IN same will be turned rather to these, as well as to shipping board and lines - from the recent ruling or attempt of expansion by same. Southern, then, presents rather an opportunity, as has long been given. [Next paragraph apparently Elbert H. Gary?]
   Remembering, [900], in rails there has come for self rather the inactivity, or that activity that has been costly; yet a knowledge that was worthwhile. Better wait for directions when the Board meets in the 5th and 10th.
   These, then, present opportunities for the body to gain a knowledge of activities as respecting same. As has been given in industrials, be rid of - save as may be held. This referring then to those of the Radio, Tel & Tel, and such.
4. We are through for the present.

REPORTS

1. 12/05/28 He obtained Check Physical for his baby son, [142].
2. 12/05/28 EC's letter to [900]:
   Dear [900] -
   Have yours of the 27th.*
   As I remarked over the phone, [257] and Dr. Barouch - I had refused to take this matter up for [257], though he had been very insistent, and he put it around in many different shapes and forms, but I told him wasn't what we wanted to do. He may or may not have taken this up with [137], as you suggested, when I refused. It isn't, of course, the thing that we want to do. We have so much on hand now, we don't want to even be bothered with a thing of that kind. I hate to be always complaining, or even seeming to - but it seems like that physically I am in bad shape. I suppose I need most of all to take myself aside and get a thorough understanding of my own self. It has been a growing conviction on me since I first undertook to give my whole time to the work, that there were a lot of things we possibly could do that we should not do, if we wished to get the most out of the better things that might be obtained in the readings. I reckon I'm saying this badly, but I'm sure you understand what I mean - for it is absolutely in accord with what you have suggested in this letter. The thing that worries me most is not being able to attend to all the requests that we have, or having so many that have been on the waiting list for so long. This we shouldn't worry about, as we shouldn't worry about anything, but it does hinder me I believe in doing my best work on things that are right in hand, be they purely physical or along the line of psychic phenomena; but we will catch up some day or another if the Lord's willing. If He isn't, I ought never to catch up.
   [257] I'm sure, as suggested in the reading [900-417, Par. 2-A] that we had from [195]'s experience, really
   * [GD's note: In re changes in Ass'n booklet - see under 4905-70 Reports; in re [257]'s attitude, proposition to make money - "I'm afraid [257]'s giving depends too much on his first getting" - "Indeed in my small way, like Paul, I seek not to aggrandize myself physically, but Christ - or seek the self and self-expression of that in man that is Christ... I mean not to boast but to indicate the glory that even so humble a one as myself may achieve, through spiritual self-awakening. I seek to be humble and glad I am a little sawed-off physical being, that others may say, "I don't see what there is to him, such that he can get all he does to the exclusion of ourselves. We'll find out how he does it and then do likewise."] means well, but has had - plainly speaking - such a hard time getting started with this world's goods that it often overshadows the better things. This we will have to gradually get corrected, in that we will have to show him he must approach it from another angle. I'll do my best. I hope I can keep myself straight along at the same time.
   I want to write to [137] if I can find the opportunity. Not that I want to lay out anything as my own plan, but rather to assure him of my desire to cooperate with he and the Committee in the plan that they might outline; provided, however (that provision is always present), that the readings favor same a hundred percent; otherwise we would alter same to where it would.
   I doubt very often if any of you fully realize how many times I have to refuse to give readings for people whom I KNOW are as good friends as I have in the world - some even that are very good contributors at times. Or how many of you realize that on ACCOUNT of persuasion from several OF the members, under various circumstances and conditions I give readings when I within myself know (or feel, at least) (and the outcome proves most generally that it is true) that I shouldn't do it! This of course I know should be stabilized. I don't mean by stabilizing that it should have a regular rote or set lines, for I don't believe - if it is all we think it is - that you could possibly groove it or pigeon-hole it; or if you do, you will defeat most of what you are trying really to do. But I DO believe there is a general line and SOME hard and fast rules, even as the readings have insisted.
   The dreams that you gave - [GD's note: EC looked like an Indian - Mrs. Cayce held twin babies in her arms and at the breast. "She held two infants before me, [900]." Dr. House's attitude of mind towards his present position was one of enforced labor in an unbelievable condition. He was only waiting the opportunity to leave the hospital, or for an excuse to break away. Mrs. House was angry at him for this.] I wouldn't know how to explain it - wouldn't know how to express it. I want to take the one respecting myself and Gertrude. The other I would rather not. Possibly when I can have the opportunity to talk with you I will be able to better explain it to you. Not that I have any reasons to believe that it would be harmful in any way, but I believe it is ONE of the situations that requires rather plain common sense and judgement in handling, rather than anything else - and not necessary for a reading, though it is one of those situations that, is you do NOTHING else, would certainly be convincing to anyone that wherever there is a concentration of thought, there is almost sure to be an experience, of so near telepathic or such that it's startling. Why it comes before such things happen, that I hope we can find out by study. I'd like to talk with you about it, but it's one of those things we can't write about. I want to get the other one though - I'm sure it will be interesting.
   Now regarding the postscript to your letter [In re Xmas tree for community children on Cayce Hospital grounds, with 5-10 cents gifts, for which [900] will pay, and all send clothes for the poor, etc.], I think this a most beautiful and a most wonderful conception of an idea of expressing and manifesting what we are undertaking. Under the EXISTENT conditions, and the lack of time, with so MANY other things on hand at present, I DO believe though that we would be attempting to do something before we were ready, if we undertook it at this time. I believe it will be well to keep this in mind, plan it, and make of it a COMMUNITY center next season. Don't understand me, that I'm trying to shirk any duty, or to get from under any responsibility, but there is SO MUCH on hand, and there SO MUCH that has to be attended to, and there's so much that - well, it ain't done unless I do it! - that I don't believe we COULD do it at this time, and do our own selves and the Service justice. But I sure do thank you, and I sure do appreciate your mentioning it and thinking of it, and we will want to do that very thing next season. It's a beautiful idea.
   It's not what I wanted to say, but I hope you will understand it.
   I have ordered out the office furniture, the Doctor's supplies, etc. Have seen about same of the equipment - tables, chinaware, etc. We are taking it up with some of the local people about the equipment for the kitchen. I'm sure it will be much better from here, if it can be handled properly. I assure you I'll do my level best to do the right and proper thing, and will submit to you all, before the decision is made, the estimates - so that you may have an idea of what it's going to be.
   Now the furniture. [257] has said something to me several times about it. When he stayed over, he took the measurements for the bedrooms, for tables, dressers, etc. I have heard from his factory superintendent, and I think unless you are coming down next Sunday I'll spend Saturday at Asheville to see if I can get that part of it without it being very expensive to us, or to the Hospital, and I hope I can get something clarified with [257] at that same time. What do you think of the idea? I hope you will be able to get the rugs there, and - if possible - the living room suite, if we are going to change it - or whatever you think about that.
   We are working along on the grounds. It's slow, but I'm doing my best, and am trying to do the right thing and to make the best outlook for the whole thing. I hope it will meet with your approval when you come down. Certainly hope be down by the 15th, if you are not able to come down sooner. I understand from [195] that he would be down about that time, and - as I said - they feel they will have the building ready to turn over for inspection by that time; so we may have a nice time of it by then. Let's hope we will have things pretty well lined up.
   All for the present. Certainly hope the baby [142] is getting along nicely. It would seem so from the information gotten this morning and from my conversation with [136]. Of course you will know more about how you will want to handled the vaccination [See 142-6], than I could tell you possibly. But I'll give you my experience, and what has been indicated from the readings. Of course you know you will have to have the system in as good condition as possible, for we know there have been instances where there have been awful results from bad vaccine. But, as the reading indicated, AFTER the vaccination you, yourself, may take half water and half iodine and with a little cotton rub it over the place - which will sterilize it, not preventing it from taking, but preventing it from hurting or being so severe. Now you may not want to take this chance. Of course that's only been given in the reading. We have tried it out on our own boy, and the result was wonderful - while on the other one we thought he was going to lose his arm. That's why we asked about it in the next one.
   With kindest personal regards from all,
   Ever the same, [Edgar Cayce] EC:GD
3. 12/07/28 He obtained Ck. Physical for his mother, Mrs. [106].
4. 12/18/28 [900]'s ltr. to HLC [Background for this letter see under 900-406 Reports; correspondence between [900], EC, HLC, etc.]:
   Dear Hugh Lynn:
   As you said, the ability to put not only our thoughts but our intent into words, is an art indeed. I am not so gifted, as you have seen in my poor attempts to put on paper our own real meaning. In groping for words to answer your letter, & not misrepresent myself, in the reaction, emotional & otherwise, that you will experience in relationship to my words, I face the same problem. This, together with a great deal of communication I have had to engineer in regard to the work at Va. Beach, & quite a busy time in the street & at home, have all prevented my answering your letter as soon as I should have. I hope you will forgive me.
   [195] wrote me that you also wrote to him, making similar suggestions to him, relative to your father's work in connection with the hospital, as you made to me. He, at the same time informed me that he answered your letter to the effect that your father's psychic endeavors would be plenty for him & particularly with the ever increasing number of requests, his end of the work, to which he & he alone is adopted, should be sufficient to fill his time & take up his efforts. This seems to hit the nail on the head & be somewhat in line with your own ideas on the matter, as I understand them from your letter to me.
   In addition to this the executive committee (or its new name Board of Governors) propose in conjunction with a reading's approval, that your father be made chairman of the board of directors. This additional responsibility together with its position or the dignity thereof, should keep your father fully occupied in a capacity he likes & desires. The meeting of [165], [137] & [257] was very good according to reports given to me, (I was not there), & the two readings taken very definite & wonderful. With the board of governors working as hard as they are the whole matter should be consummated & cleared up at our next board meeting. I believe much has been cleared up of late & efforts put forth that will bear fruit. I believe you will agree when you hear the details from Edgar & also read the two readings in question. The newly suggested committees seem excellent, among them the one on the Hospital, of which [165] is chairman. But I'd rather hear your version of it all first, but I do believe you as well as Sugrue will be happy & satisfied with the readings' reference to Sugrue, & we all hope the governors will make same recommendation with reference to this at our meeting Jan. 5 or 12 - most likely the 12th. Would very much appreciate your version of the matter after you have studied the details, but I do think we are meeting our problems as speedily & as expediently as possible. We ourselves individually & collectively are growing as we meet them & thus while in the process of solving them many trials & discouraging tribulations are encountered.
   In your letter you speak of your father playing Samson in regard to our Association. No doubt our emotional reaction to problems that cause so much disappointment & distress lead us all at times to just this feeling about the whole business. Yet we are blessed if we are tried, for them we gain the opportunity to make ourselves bigger & stronger than problems of environment. The method by which we may gain our end, is to become bigger, more powerful, & stronger than the obstacles that stand in our way & lack of courage is often the cause of our downfall, as is indicated in the reading [254-47, Par. 45-A] regarding Hammerling.
   You speak of your father's individual emotional make up & you are right. By virtue of his very intuitive development, his emotional reaction to environment or individuals is the dominating influence in his mental reaction, & when that influence is adverse or crossed, he becomes set, & in your own words may be pushed no farther. On the other hand inspirational influence may so react upon him as to urge him to sacrifice even unto the utmost. Many of us are able to balance these two poles with reason, yet are often too weak in will power, to move the course of our emotions as to make them express our ideal. That was indicated in my own reading in which Gary admonished me in the recent stock market collapse not to get hysterical & to be a man. Faced by what seems overwhelming odds & be [the] necessity for quick & drastic action, one often loses, to some extent at least, emotional control.
   Such a man as your father then, leaves himself open to violent reactions one way or another, as do many of us, when, if only for a moment, we fail to connect the two directions with reason & permit will to control accordingly. Yet there is something noble about such an individual when the extremely sensitive emotional being permits the higher emotions to dominate. He may be too quick to jump at conclusions due to over emotional influence & he may appear too wavering at times to please the cold, cool calculating mind of a less easily movable nature, & he may also not suit the analytical mind of a positive scientist, physicist, or statistician, but he is inspiring, moving & often more beloved & of greater influence in a community or in the lives of others than any of these. Of course each has his place & is evolving life for his own viewpoint or individuality, towards a common end. Each then must certainly be dealt with according to their own nature, & we each of us must gain knowledge of human nature or of the nature of human beings in their individual variations if we would be successful in business, in social life, in scientific work or any other field of endeavor.
   Therefore I have no criticism to offer of your father, or of any one, & I do admit that you were correct in your letter when you stated that I was to blame in not manifesting sufficient knowledge of human nature, as to deal more tactfully with your father. Anyone trying to lead in any capacity must do this, & I'm sorry indeed. However I hate to see the board's authority encroached upon, whether that board consists of active members as it now does, or only your father, yourself & family or myself, as it did then. I was perfectly willing to ACT AS THOUGH we HAD a complete active board, even though we did not; just as I did with regard to the work when our organization existed only in our dreams. I acted as though the life of the president himself depended upon our great board's work. Life really is nothing more than our dreams - it is for us what they are.
   Regarding turning hard & cold - that probably was my resentment that your father didn't act likewise - yet there really was no reason for me to expect another to so act & I should have reasoned that such an attitude might be interpreted by him as an indication of my wanting to dominate him, asserting my authority & boss the whole business.
   Now in this letter to you & through you I would now like to nail this impression right here & now. I wanted, want & will continue to desire the leadership in this movement only because the readings, have stated that a message has been given me that may be given out in conjunction with, through & under the administration of our Association. Now that the Association is well on its way & the organization in better working order, I have often recently wondered if it might not be better to let another carry on, giving my services when they were asked for & acting as teacher where & when I could. I have learned what many another has yet to learn - to find happiness in what seems the things in life. My home & daily application; my few friends & home; my books & dreams fill my life & my trying to write something worth while more than fills my cup. I am deeply grateful to my Maker; to life; to the beauty of nature; to a wonderful brother, family, mother & guiding spirit father; to affectionate friends; to more comforts than I deserve & above all to the glory of living & communicating with life in its highest creative form. Has it not been promised me that even He to whom every knee doth bend as every head doth bow will honor me - think of it - just plain simple me - with a direct communication - that is that individuality of God called Jesus on earth & who was & is Christ Savior. What then do I want with blue ribbons pinned on me? Need I man's acclamation as president or anything else? I leave that for toys for others to play with. I am happy, grateful & my cup runneth over & I seek nothing of man except to be allowed to serve him to help him in the name of Him who has bestowed these blessings upon me. I have a measure to perform a duty to man & God to execute. Either do it or another will be raised up to do it - but a correlated new interpretation must be given of the Gospel & that message you, your father & others of the board may make it possible for me to give, by physically placing me in the position of president. As such I must fail or succeed to carry out my appointed mission. It's a sort of lonesome job, Hugh Lynn - people misunderstand & often the One on High comes to me & even laughs & encourages me. I used to write your father as I did, that I might pour out my heart & seek understanding companionship. [137] saw right through it of late & one day looking at me he said simply: "I'm with you & for you." It was thus that he said at the meeting: "[900] just naturally is president," & as we said it no doubt is so or the readings contradict themselves in stating my ability to LEAD, (see [-] not be president of but lead), in such a work. For I don't know & care less about how long the presidency lasts, but so long as I devote myself to the cause it shall be my privilege & honor to lead providing the board cooperates & makes possible the accomplishment of the task. For my leadership depends upon my meeting the responsibility of delivering the message, which may bring glory & blessings upon the organization & beautiful grace the work of "Cayce." [900] shall be forgotten, no doubt, but that which I may do or say may be remembered in conjunction with the work of Cayce, the latter of which furnished the instrument. I ask, then, that the board give me a chance as leader or president now, to use the instrument that has barely as yet been completed to accomplish the task for which the reading or God has chosen me & for which I have been & am now in my blundering sort of way preparing myself. If the rod of Jesse is being put in my hand, the latter is but being prepared for it, & I assure you I often wonder if such a peasant hand as mine may really ever hold such a rod, or so humble an one wield it. The readings have prognosticated a direct communication for myself with the Master & I know now that shall date the beginning of the time when I shall wield that rod, & exercise the offices of David's staff. Up to that time it is a matter of preparation. This is true whether I am president or not, for God wills it so, & if our work particularly is to get anywheres it must manifest in line with His will. Can you or anyone, then, believe I really care about whether a few people make me president or not? or whether they keep me there or not? or whether I have or have not the SAY OVER this, that or the other thing or person? If so God has surely picked a small potato for leader - & there is vast difference between president elected by men & leader chosen of the Lord. It is the latter I am interested in & seek to make myself worthy & to merit in my life's activity - in my service to God & man, for I know by physical service we evolve the ability of spiritual leadership. Eternal spiritual life in a spiritual environment is the heritage of each of us, & our power as such a being is dependent upon the service we perform & manifest ability to perform as a physical being in a physical environment. If then the men who take hold of our symbolical work choose to make manifest God's will as respecting the service for which He has chosen me, by making me or retaining me as president, why then I am deeply grateful for the honor, but I choose to use the offices of president of the Ass'n, only as a means of service in the capacity of leader, as already explained. I do not choose to use that position as dictator, boss or conceited ruler. That does not contradict the fact that each one or group having a certain task in charge should be so empowered, such that their work or charge shall not be nullified by any one individual.
   Finally then, this is my work by right of birth, by right of divine choice & by right of inherited ability & I seek to direct, not dictate in its application. If the board chooses to afford me the opportunity to show this fact in results, then failure or success is a responsibility laid at my door step & because the forces have compelled this opportunity being granted me, my application to bring success or misapplication to bring failure is a matter between myself & these forces whom I DO KNOW, as leader of their work, more than a matter between myself as president & the board. Physically the presidency is not particularly desirable - I've learned to be happy without tinsel & blue ribbons, but leadership of such a demonstration as we seek to make does interest me & if the board in conjunction with the readings (the spiritual board), declare this may best be accomplished at the present time with me in the chair - then so it is to be & as [137] says it just naturally is so.
   But this is another Xmas season & indeed we above all people should be appreciative & grateful. We have a real organization, not an imaginary one. We have earned greater respect & admiration from sincere & thinking people. We have a real hospital with lovely surrounding grounds. Our lives are fuller collectively & individually & we are jointly & individually closer to the Christ life than we ever dreamed we could become. From behind Xmas lights His countenance shines bringing to us peace, & joy in the knowledge of service rendered to man in His name. How many are healed by what we have done? How many enlightened? How many encouraged? And we've developed greater power & ability to do good than ever. Crowning all is our everlasting message of the oneness of life spiritual or physical & the ease by which one form may communicate with another. The heritage of that form that man the CREATED knows himself to be, is that of "CREATOR," that God or every spiritual individuality knows itself to be, even if in different graded stages of development. This is the royal crown that graces our great enterprise & that we must wear accordingly.
   From in between comes a twinkle, a squint of a warning. He sang as he strode along the road; He perfumed his beard & enjoyed wine, dinner & pleasant companionship; He laughed & played; we must remember a sense of humor & perspective of physical values is not to be lost. Above all we must not take each other & ourselves TOO seriously. You and I especially, must be careful of this Hugh Lynn. As a reading gave life is going around with a long face & if I don't succeed in my task another may easily be raised up who will. We none of us are so very important & we shouldn't take our thoughts & opinions too awfully seriously. And we who are engaged in a great & serious task must bear in mind that the experience of laughter is life, exactly as is that of a frown or of tears. When we get to taking ourselves too seriously, & placing too much weight upon our viewpoint, we, as physical insects, crawling over & in a three dimensional existence, must appear rather ludicrous to the much higher & highly evolved spiritual forces. We should THINK & THINK hard but I really think we who try to think hard often lose our sense of perspective regarding our own importance & the importance of our conclusions - even in relationship to ourselves. For indeed a conclusion that we have worked mentally to achieve, is but an elementary milestone passed (that may have passed before), enroute to the realization of larger truths of more important character, that themselves are but stepping stones to still further discoveries & conclusions to be reached. We aren't so very important - even if we've opened the book of life a little bit further along, & don't think we ought assume too much individually - any of us. Of course we should all strive for self confidence, but the universe, the world & not even our work is dependent upon any one of us individually - whether it is myself, [165], [257], [137] or any of us. Yet if we do not hinder ourselves together to give OURSELVES, our PRIDE & all for the cause, then another group in time will enjoy this honor, glory & happiness. We shall all look upon our work from another plane, one day & rejoice if we gave our all for the achievement of success, or in regret at having inserted ourselves as to block success. Let us try - try our best & laugh some too - yes even at ourselves.
   Truly Hugh Lynn I hope in this long epistle I have made myself clear, but if anything in it tends to hurt any one individual, yourself, your father or anyone, then I have failed to do so. I wish you & your folks everything that is good, even as I ever have done since the early Dayton days. Now as then - on His birthday, I pray God Bless you - all of you.
   Sincerely, [900]
5. 12/26/28 He obtained Ck. Physical for his little niece, [143].

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