2/19/37 Ltr. to A.R.E. membership by A.R.E. Chm. of Board,
Douglas T. Johnston:
[Title and address of member]
A.R.E. Member
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Association for
Research and Enlightenment, Inc. has just been held at which
was presented a program for the activities of the Association
for the year just starting and at which were discussed ways
and means for making the program effective.
The whole field of psychic research is suddenly becoming
alive. You see it in books, in moving pictures, in lectures,
and even in the studies of American universities. There is a
need for correlating and evaluating these activities, and our
Association can have an important part in such work with the
cooperation of its membership.
You yourself have had a personal psychic experience in
obtaining a reading through Edgar Cayce. You have seen
something of the possibilities of psychic information doing
a real service for humanity. Much more in the way of
research is necessary, however, and following the research
the means must be devised of making the information
available to an increasing number of people - those merely
interested, and, much more important, those in real need
that may be helped by the information.
The first essential is the building of as large an active
membership of the Association as possible. By becoming an
active member an individual simply evidences his desire to
further the work of Edgar Cayce and the activities of the
Association. Except for very nominal dues active members
assume no obligations of any kind; they are given the
opportunity, however, and are urged wherever it is possible,
to take a definite part in carrying forward some one or more
of the activities of the Association, for example:
a. As an individual research worker.
b. As a collector of books and clippings on psychic
phenomena.
c. As a member of a study group.
d. As a representative distributing literature and interest-
ing others in the work of the Association and the readings of
Mr. Cayce.
Active members of the Association:
1. Receive copies of all publications as outlined herewith.
2. May each secure one Reading at $10 or two Check Physical
Readings.
3. Exclusively vote in the choice of Trustees.
The dues of an Active Member have been fixed at Twelve
Dollars a year, payable annually, quarterly or monthly at
the option of the member. The Trustees, in fixing the dues
at such a nominal amount, were impelled by the desire to have
the Active Membership just as large as possible and to have
no one interested in the work of the Association prevented
from being a member because of the cost thereof.
The next essential is the providing of sufficient funds to
pay the necessary expenses of the Association including all
the charitable work performed by it or by Mr. Cayce as its
representative.
The Trustees went carefully over a budget for the ensuing
year which was presented at the meeting. There are four
people who devote their entire time to the work of the
Association - Mr. Edgar Cayce, Mrs. Cayce, Mr. Hugh Lynn
Cayce, the Manager of the Association, and Miss Gladys Davis,
its Secretary. All the files and records of the Association
are maintained at the residence of Mr. Cayce, thus obviating
additional office expense. The minimum budget including
compensation for the above four individuals and including
the cost of all publications and other activities of the
Association was $8,700. It was felt by the Trustees,
however, that since this minimum left no leeway for
emergencies, an amount of $10,000 should be the goal sought.
The source of income in the past has been, and it is
anticipated will continue for some time in the future to be,
the Readings of Edgar Cayce. Mr. Cayce is limited to two
Readings a day, and to approximately two hundred and fifty
days a year, or a total of five hundred Readings per year.
This means that the real cost of a Reading is Twenty Dollars,
and that if an income of $10,000 is to be received through
the medium of Readings, five hundred Readings must some how
be assured for each of which Twenty Dollars will be received.
During the past two or three years an increasing number of
the Active Members of the Association have guaranteed a
certain number of Readings per year. Some of these Readings
the member has allocated for the use of himself and his
family; in some cases the member has allocated some of the
Readings to charitable cases handled by the Association;
in some cases the member has allocated some of the Readings
to research Readings; while in some other cases the member
in guaranteeing a certain number of Readings has simply
obligated himself to secure that many new Associate Members
for the Association.
This method has proved so satisfactory in the limited way
that it has been used that the Trustees felt that its broader
application would at once help tie the membership more
closely to the work of the Association, and thus increase
their interest, and at the same time would assure the
securing of the funds necessary for the continuance of the
activities of the Association. It is particularly
important, if Mr. Cayce is to continue to serve his fellow
man so unselfishly, that he be relieved from financial
worries - worries that can be so easily eliminated by the
cooperation of those whom Mr. Cayce has served in the past,
the members of the Association.
The objectives then are twofold:
1. To secure as large an Active membership as possible
at the nominal annual dues of $12.
2. To secure guarantees from members of 500 Readings
for the year at $20 per Reading (Note: when it is
possible to give two or more "Check" Readings at one
period the cost and therefore the charge, for such
Readings will be $10 per "Check" Reading.)
Enclosed is a membership blank. Will you AT ONCE fill in
the first part and assure us of your cooperation as an Active
Member during the coming year. To the extent that you are
able will you also fill in the second part and guarantee one
and as many additional Readings as possible having in mind
the necessity of securing guarantees for a total of 500 such
Readings for the year.
The time of payment for dues and Readings is left to the
convenience of the subscribers.
Please do not delay - DO IT NOW.
Cordially yours, [signed] Douglas T. Johnston, Chairman.
ENCLOSURE
Date............
Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.,
Virginia Beach,
Virginia
1. I hereby apply for Active Membership in the Association
for the calendar year 1937, and agree to pay the dues of
Twelve Dollars as follows:
...... Cash herewith in full.
...... Three Dollars herewith and Three Dollars each during
the months of April, July, and October.
...... One Dollar herewith and One Dollar each month there-
after.
Note: If you are already an Active Member, please
designate your preference in continuing payment
of dues.
2. I hereby guarantee readings from Mr. Edgar Cayce for the
calendar year 1937 as follows:
...... A. One Reading at the reduced price of $10, or two
Check Physical Readings, for myself or some member
of my family, to which I am entitled as an Active
Member.
...... B. Readings at $20 or Check Physical Readings at $10
each aggregating $... to be used by myself or some
member of my family or as otherwise designated by
me.
...... C. Readings at $20 or Check Physical Readings at $10
each aggregating $... to be used at the discretion
of the Association for charitable Physical
Readings. COPIES OF SUCH READINGS ARE TO BE
FURNISHED TO ME.
...... E. Readings at $20 aggregating $... to be used for
Research purposes - the subjects to be designated
by me after discussion with representatives of the
Association.
...... E. ... new Associate Members at $20 each.
For Readings as above I would prefer to be billed:
...... 1. As Readings are held.
...... 2. At 10% per month.
...... 3. Cash herewith.
(Signed)........
3/01/37 HLC's ltr. to D. Johnston:
Mr. Douglas T. Johnston
Graybar Building,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Johnston:
The enclosed statement represents of course only the actual
income and disbursements during the past month.
The Association has incurred considerable indebtedness
(compared with previous monthly operations) during the past
month. The bills for such items as the mimeograph, printing
on both my father's and the Association booklet, and a
quantity of supplies have not come in. In these cases
arrangements were made to have the amounts paid monthly
in order to come within the budget.
The program for the coming year seems to me to be the
simplest and clearest we have ever presented. I regret
that I was unable to get our letters in the mail sooner.
The first replies, three of them, came today.
Mr. Harrison took an Active Membership and sponsored readings
to the amount of $500, to be paid quarterly. This included
the $125 already paid. A like amount will be will be due
April 1.
I am sending copies of the current statement to Mr. Parker,
Mr. Kahn, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Goetz. I hope to secure from
Mr. Kahn and Mr. Goetz assistance in meeting the present
deficit.
Thank you again for your cooperation. I will keep you
advised of progress.
Sincerely, [HLC]
General Statement on the Operation of the
1937 Program for February.
Balance on Deposit February 8, 1937...................$ 55.08
Deposited
Douglas T. Johnston................................125.00
Milton W. Harrison................................ 125.00
Dale Parker........................................250.00
Total $555.08
Expenditures - February 8 to March 1.
Edgar Cayce (Salary)...............................345.00
Gladys Davis (Salary)...............................42.50
Hugh Lynn Cayce (Salary)............................42.50
Office Expenses - Association.......................95.17
Total $525.17
Income February 8, to March 1, 1937....................233.21
Balance from February...................................29.12
Total on hand March 1, $263.12
3/04/37 D. Johnston's ltr. to HLC:
DOUGLAS T. JOHNSTON
GRAYBAR BUILDING,
NEW YORK
MOhawk 4-0350
Dear Hugh Lynn:
This will acknowledge receipt of yours of March 1st with
statement enclosed. I am glad that Mr. Harrison was able
to come through in such a substantial way. I hope that this
is an indication of the way the new plan will be received by
the membership.
I am enclosing one of the blanks which I have filled out
covering my own subscription of $225 all of which has already
been paid this year. I wish I were in a position to give
more. Perhaps later on I will be.
In connection with the new plan, I want to mention again the
desirability of working out some plan for sending bills to
the members in accordance with their subscriptions. In other
words if they agree to pay so much each month or each quarter
a bill should definitely be sent the first of each month or
each quarter as the case may be; if they agree to pay as
readings are held, a bill should accompany the reading. I
appreciate that this may mean some additional work in the
office but I feel it is essential if the funds pledged are
to be actually received.
With best regards to you all,
Sincerely yours, [signed] Douglas T. Johnston
Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce
Association for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
4/12/37 HLC's ltr. to D. Parker:
Mr. Dale Parker [A.R.E. Member]
8 East 63rd Street,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Parker:
Just a note to enclose the statement on the Association for
March, 1937. Please advise me of any other figures you
desire to keep informed regarding the development of the
1937 program. I will write you in more detail this week.
My father left yesterday for Nashville, Tenn., to arrange
funeral services for my grandfather, L. B. Cayce, who died
early Sunday morning. Communications will reach my father
% Mr. Clint Cayce, Hopkinsville, Ky., on Tuesday. Burial
services will be held in Hopkinsville on Tuesday.
The past week was a strenuous one. Early in the week we
learned that my aunt's [Annie Cayce] home in Nashville where
my grandfather was staying burned. They lost everything and
my grandfather was slightly burned as he was carried out. As
a result of the strain he took more cold and in a weakened
condition was unable to stand the upset. We were checking
his condition closely and expected his death. He was
eighty-four.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, [signed] Hugh Lynn Cayce
4/14/37 HLC's letter:
Mr. Douglas T. Johnston
Graybar Building,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Johnston:
The matter of Association finances has given me some concern
and steps must be taken to meet the situation. I will
appreciate your comments and suggestions on the following:
1. Would you consider it feasible and wise to attempt
to borrow $2000, $4000, or $6000, to cover our next three,
six or eight month's budget?
Evidently personal contact is necessary to secure
cooperation from our members. The response on the sponsored
reading program has been far from what we hoped for. I
feel that it will be necessary for my father and I to go
to Washington and New York to meet and talk with members.
I will plan to stay on and close up and work out the details
of contacts which are made. Such trips need not be trips
for readings but primarily for discussion groups, individual
contacts and perhaps one or more general lectures. A trip
to Washington and to New York of this kind would be possible
in May, if our budget was covered to permit temporary freedom
from the Beach.
2. In the event that you do not consider it wise to
borrow funds to cover the budget, or if we are unable to do
so, two immediate courses are possible. (a) a trip to New
York to give readings; (b) an intensive personal letter
campaign to increase the sponsored reading program and a
general cutting of all budget items.
In regard to the possibility of borrowing funds to cover
the budget my father has a two thousand dollar insurance
policy that is lapsing this month that could be used to
guarantee such a loan in the event of his death and the
abrupt stopping of Association income.
All local accounts have been transferred from my father's
name to to Association accounts. There are only three of
these:
Norfolk Stationary Co. (Supplies)...................$ 40.60
Typewriter Sales and Service..........................81.20
Printing (No bill on this yet) (app.)................200.00
Mimeograph (Bank note being paid $26 monthly)........175.00
You will recognize all of these as items that were included
in the budget and will all be taken care of as planned.
However, payments are necessary to continue credit standing
and enable continuation of operations.
I will appreciate your suggestions regarding the possibility
of borrowing the funds for the budget. It could be arranged
on the smaller basis through a local bank with endorsements.
It is possible that Mr. Harrison would handle it for us. I
believe Mr. Goetz would lend us the entire amount and make
his contribution to the work at the end of the year. I shall
refrain from writing Mr. Parker and Mr. Harrison until I hear
from you.
A general survey of our prospects reveals the following:
1. Our Active Membership pledges will carry the actual cost
per month of publications. (This does not include mimeograph
or extra booklets such as those recently printed.)
2. Increased activity is resulting among members who have
been furnished new booklets (Association and my father's
experiences.)
3. Mr. Goetz [Harry M. Goetz] has promised a substantial
contribution that can be depended upon. It will be at least
$500 for the first half of the year.
4. We have yet to hear from most of our members from whom we
expect a show of definite interest in the program. In no
instance has the response been definitely negative.
5. I am writing a letter to our Board of Trustees requesting
their cooperation or resignation in the event they do not
feel in a position to take a more active part than the
majority are doing. I will send you a copy of this letter
before it goes out.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, [signed] Hugh Lynn Cayce
4/15/37 HLC's letter:
Mr. Douglas T. Johnston
Graybar Building,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Johnston:
The Health Home Remedies Corporation situation presents
difficulties but I believe that the work of the past year
has provided a foundation for immediate action to meet the
needs.
There is no need to review the difficulties encountered with
American Dental Association, Laboratory tests on IPSAB,
individual dentists' reports, inadequate response on the
letters, complexity in the hair curler formula, etc.
The results of our work on T-I-M have been consistently
favorable. (1) The formula has been improved; (2)
Physicians' tests have been favorable; (3) Individual
tests have been favorable.
I believe that we should make an immediate effort to
(1) dispose of the formula; (2) enlist the support of an
advertising agency on a percentage basis; (3) sell outright
or on a percentage basis the product to some large drug
concern, such as Peoples, Walgreen, or the like, who have
facilities for making a special of it.
Our recommendations there in New York would be favorable:
Dr. LeRoy Coombs, M.D., Dr. Frank Dobbins, D.O., and H. J.
Reilly, well known Physiotherapist. Couple these with our
individual reports and we should have something that would
interest one of the above concerns. At least this should
be enough to enable us to secure the information as to just
what proof of the value of the product would be needed to
interest such people. We stand the best chance of securing
such information on T-I-M quickly.
I have suggested to Mr. House that he see Mr. Harrison while
in New York and go over with him the above prospects. He has
connections that might be of assistance.
It seems to me that we need a one-point of action at this
time. You may feel such action should be taken in some other
direction. I will be in agreement with any plan that is
decided upon.
I have already told Mr. House that I regret not having given
more time to the Health Home Remedies Corporation. This I
can remedy in the future. By devoting a definite amount of
time to the office work I may be able to give him more time
to get out for the necessary contacts.
I have given Mr. House the names and addresses of several
individuals in New York who have at one time or another been
interested in the work and who may be helpful in establishing
contacts with advertising agencies and drug companies, should
he care to use them at this time.
With kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, [HLC]
4/20/37 Chemical test results on Ipsab:
NORFOLK TESTING LABORATORIES, Inc.
Member of the
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING MATERIALS
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA
John H. Parkins 288 Bank Street
Harvey L. Hunt Telephone 26136
Lab. No. 32258 Date Rec'd. April 20, 1937 Marked:- Ipsab
Sample of Medicine
From Health Home Remedies Company,
Norfolk, Virginia
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
ANALYSIS GRAMS PER HYPOTHETICAL GRAMS PER
100 C.C. COMBINATIONS 100 C.C.
Sodium, Na..... 4.7696 Sodium Chloride, NaCl.... 12.1225
Potassium, K.... .2803 Potassium Chloride, KCL.... .3278
Calcium, Ca..... .7146 Calcium Chloride, CaCl2... 1.9795
Magnesium, Mg... .3619 Magnesium Chloride, MgCl2.. .9850
Ammonium, NH4... .00864 Ammonium Chloride, NH4Cl... .0255
Manganese, Mn... Trace Ferric Chloride, FeCl3..... Trace
Iron, Fe........ Trace Aluminum Chloride, AlCl3... Trace
Aluminum, Al.... Trace Sodium Sulphate, Na2SO4.... Trace
Chlorine, Cl... 9.5236 Magnesium Sulphate, MgSO4.. .5674
Sulphate, SO4... .4527 Manganese Sulphate, MnSO4.. Trace
Nitrate, NO3.... .1594 Potassium Nitrate, KNO3.... .2600
Total Phosphorus,
as P2O5......... .0180 -a- Total Phosphorus as, P2O5.. .0180
Carbonate, CO3.. Trace Potassium Bromide, KBr..... .0200
Iodine, I....... .00428 Potassium Iodide, KI....... .0056
Bromine, Br..... .01343 Potassium Carbonate, K2CO2. Trace
Organic
Nitrogen, N..... .05768 -b- Organic Nitrogen, N........ .0577
Oil and
alkaloids....... .02800 -c- Oil and alkaloids.......... .0280
Total Organic
matter......... 4.1000 -d- Total Organic matter...... 4.1000
Peppermint...... Trace Peppermint................. Trace
Total Solids.. 20.0840 Total Solids............. 20.0840
-a- Total phosphorus includes both phosphates and organic
phosphorus and is reported in terms of phosphorus
pentoxide, P2O5.
-b- Considerable nitrogen exists as organic nitrogen and
probably exists as a proteid of some kind.
-c- The oil residue is similar to that obtained from a raw
material used in manufacture and contains .00028 grams
Nitrogen which may actually be present as an alkaloid
but we have not isolated same.
-e- The total organic matter consists of Tannins, resins,
oils, etc. extracted from the herbs etc. in manufacture.
Reported
5/05/37 Respectfully submitted,
Norfolk Testing Laboratories, Inc.,
[signed] H. L. Hunt, Chemist.
4/21/37 D. Johnston's to HLC:
DOUGLAS T. JOHNSTON
GRAYBAR BUILDING,
NEW YORK
MOhawk 4-0350
Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce
c/o Assn. for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dear Hugh Lynn:
Most of the matters covered in your letter of April 15th with
regard to the HHRC were taken up with Mr. House when he was
in New York. You have doubtless seen him and gotten his full
report. Getting the HHRC on its feet is very similar to
prosperity that we heard so much about for so long. It
appears to be just around the corner.
Mr. House does seem to have made considerable progress. It
is, of course, disappointing that so much preliminary work
has to be done before it is possible to get financial
returns. All I know that we can do is to keep plugging
along and hoping eventually to get around the corner.
Very truly yours, [signed] Douglas T. Johnston
4/21/37 D. Johnston's ltr. to EC:
DOUGLAS T. JOHNSTON
GRAYBAR BUILDING,
NEW YORK
MOhawk 4-0350
Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce
c/o Assn. for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dear Hugh Lynn:
This is in reply to your letter of April 14th with regard to
the finances of the Association. I have been so busy with
other matters that I have been unable to discuss the matter
with anyone here in New York. Mr. Parker, I believe, has
been out of town so that in any event I could not have
discussed it with him.
First, I am opposed to borrowing except as a last resort.
It is almost as much trouble to raise the money by borrowing
as it is to raise it in the form of gifts with the added
disadvantage that when the money is borrowed it has to be
repaid which means again raising the money at a later date.
I agree with you that personal contact is necessary to secure
any substantial cooperation from the members. If you and
your father can go to Washington and then come to New York
to meet and talk with members I feel sure that it would be
worth while and productive of results. The only added
thought that I have is the possibility of appointing a
membership committee. The personnel of such committee
might be announced in the monthly bulletin and their function
would be definitely that of getting names signed on dotted
lines. If such a committee were appointed its chairman
should be the best go-getter in the Association whoever he
or she may be.
I appreciate that what you need now is some immediate income.
If you feel that a trip to New York for readings would
produce such income than I think such a trip should be
planned. Mr. Goetz, whom you mention as a source of funds,
I understand is in Europe. Do you know when he will return?
I suggest that you write to Mr. Harrison as you have to me
and if I can possible do so I will get in touch and discuss
the situation with him.
In closing I wish to congratulate you on the improved
character of the monthly bulletins and also on the two
booklets. The work certainly deserves the enthusiastic
and generous support of the members. The job is to enlist
that support.
Very truly yours, [signed] Douglas T. Johnston
5/03/37 HLC's ltr. to D. Parker:
Mr. Dale Parker
8 East 63rd Street,
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Parker:
It was a most pleasant surprise to see you and Mrs. Parker
last week and have the opportunity of talking with you. You
will return perhaps for the Congress this year June 28, 29
and 30th? The weather and a more intimate Cook's Tour could
be arranged.
You will find a copy of last month's statement enclosed.
As you will see, the figures indicate the need for definite
action in some direction to permit the continued operation
of our Association program. I believe that if we could
operate under the program as outlined at our meeting in
February through this year the various phases of the work
- research activities, publications, individual case reports
in complete form, study group work, etc., could be organized
to such a degree as to command the attention of individuals
and groups capable of making possible a real expansion. At
present we are lost in a mass of detail activities with our
heads in the clouds. (Personally, I can not quite figure
out whether I keep my head in the clouds because I am an
idealist or to avoid seeing the bill collectors.)
Recently in a letter to Mr. Johnston I asked his opinion
regarding borrowing, after proper action by the Board had
been taken, sufficient funds to allow us to continue
operations as planned. He expressed himself as not favoring
this except as a last resort.
I am going to Washington the last of this week for three or
four informal meetings with our members there. My efforts
will be directed toward securing new Associate members and
Active members from among past contacts. I expect to be in
Washington about four days and will then come on to New York.
My efforts there will be more with individuals following out
the sponsored reading program. Any suggestions you may have
will be appreciated.
The growth of Association bills in the past few months has
naturally been rapid and the necessary personal and household
expenses have prevented normal payment on them. Even
recently personal insurance of my father's has had to be
dropped, which is a worry added to the daily situation. You
can perhaps understand what the expenses of a trip such as I
plan mean at a time like this.
Please do not misunderstand. We are not complaining. These
are simply facts relative to the program of studying and
presenting this work. Frankly we have never had a better
outlook. Never before have we been able to see so clearly
the vast possibilities of the work ahead. We know we are
doing a job worth doing and the inner joy and peace is the
real compensation. These are only surface disturbances.
But the time of this experience is short. There is much
to be done and these material cobwebs MUST be brushed aside.
I wish you every success in your new partnership. [See
announcement below.]
I expect to be in New York about the 20th and will call you
when I arrive.
CABLE ADDRESS TELEPHONE
"ADVOCATE" COLUMBUS 5- 3491
MR. DALE PARKER
and
MR. REED B. DAWSON
ANNOUNCE
THAT THEY HAVE FORMED A PARTNERSHIP
FOR THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF THE LAW
UNDER THE FIRM NAME OF
PARKER AND DAWSON
WITH OFFICES AT 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK, N.Y.
MAY 1ST, 1937
ASSOCIATION STATEMENT
April, 1937
Bank Balance April 1..............................$ 86.76
Associate Memberships and Readings.................131.00
Active Memberships and Readings.....................87.00
Group Publications...................................7.10
Total $311.86
Expenditures:
Edgar Cayce........................................239.33
Gladys Davis........................................17.00
Hugh Lynn Cayce......................................3.00
Office Expenses.....................................37.50
Total $296.83
Balance May 1, 1937.................................15.03
Association Debts:
Norfolk Stationery Co...............................40.60
Typewriter Sales and Service........................84.70
Printing (app.)....................................200.00
Note: Obviously Miss Davis and H. L. Cayce are not paying
room and board and personal expenses are being handled
under general household expenses. The salary figures
represent luxuries (?).
5/03/37 HLC's ltr. to M. Harrison:
Mr. Milton W. Harrison
110 East 42nd Street.
New York, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Harrison:
You will find the statement for the Association for April
enclosed. From the figures you will see that we are a long
way from our program.
As I pointed out at the Board meeting in February it will
take us a year, operating under the program as outlined and
decided upon, to unify our activities - research program,
publications, study group, special case study forms, etc.,
- so that we may present to individuals and groups a program
that will command attention and permit of real expansion.
If we are forced to curtail activities to permit actual
living we will be no further along the way at the end of
this year. Individual good will have been accomplished
but our larger program will suffer and the time for this
life is short.
I intend coming to New York about the 20th of this month
to see many of our members there who have not responded on
the sponsored reading program and secure, if possible, their
cooperation. Many have been lost in the mass of data which
has been sent out. I hope to be able to talk with
individuals interested in securing readings, secure more
active members and attempt a general stimulation of interest
through personal contact. Any suggestions you may have will
be greatly appreciated.
On my way to New York I plan to stop in Washington for a few
meetings with members there.
I will get in touch with you as soon as I arrive in New York
and look forward to seeing and talking with you and
Mrs. Harrison again.
My father is showing the strain of the past few weeks and
does not feel it best to come up to New York this spring
unless it becomes absolutely necessary to secure funds.
With kindest personal regards to you all, I am
Sincerely, [signed] Hugh Lynn Cayce
5/37 Sent by HLC with A.R.E. Bulletin to Members:
THE 1937 PROGRAM OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND
ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.
The activities of the Association may be divided into four
general divisions: individual readings; research work; group
work; publications.
I INDIVIDUAL READINGS
A. Five to six hundred readings.
B. More thorough explanations and preparations of those
obtaining Readings.
C. Regular recording (verbatim); case filing under name.
D. System of 2, 4, and 6 month report blanks.
E. Indexing (cross) - if possible.
II RESEARCH WORK
A. Definite allotment of readings by Trustees for
research purposes.
1. Universities Studies (a) Duke; (b) Columbia.
2. Specific types of ailments, such as epilepsy or
arthritis.
3. Subjects of general interest - historical, economic
surveys, etc.
III GROUP WORK
A. Organized under a separate budget so as to be self
supporting. Based on a series of lessons prepared
by Norfolk Study Group #1, and parallel studies.
IV PUBLICATIONS
A. Monthly Bulletin (Av. 6 pages - Reports, extracts from
readings, general news items.
B. Monthly Research Papers (Av. 12 pages - Complete
Individual Case studies, historical checks on Life
Readings, reports on research work.)
C. Six Printed Booklets during year (Size - THERE IS A
RIVER)
Subjects: Dreams, Auras, Mental Telepathy, Power of
Thought, Spiritualism, Spiritual Healing.
D. Work progressing on book on Life and Work of Edgar
Cayce. (Being written by Thomas Sugrue.)
E. Articles in preparation for various magazines.
(Going slow.)
F. Free Literature
1. Pamphlet on work of Association.
2. Pamphlet on Life of Edgar Cayce.
3. Paper explaining Life Readings.
4. Case Studies for those interested in physical
readings.
5. Explanation of correct attitude for securing best
reading.
6. Membership blanks and Membership booklets.
7. Paper explaining Mental and Spiritual Readings.
8. Publication List.
To carry forward this work in an adequate manner $8,700 is
needed for 1937, budgeted as follows:
$4,800 - Edgar Cayce
1,500 - Association office and Publications.
2,400 - Salaries for Secretary and Manager $100 per mo.
each.
A careful study has been made of the detail figures on the
above items and will be sent to those desiring same.
To secure the necessary amount for the 1937 Budget the
following plans are presented for consideration:
1. A Letter to all Active and Associate Members requesting
that definite membership pledges for the coming year be made
on a voluntary basis. Enclosed with this letter will be
sample copies of the January Bulletin, the first research
paper, and a copy of THERE IS A RIVER, as a sample of the
printed booklet. This letter will also explain the need
for funds to assist in the research work and charity
readings. It will indicate that if as much as a set amount
is contributed the research papers and printed booklets will
be sent regularly.
2. In the above letter or in a separate one a request will
be made for members to assure the Association of a definite
number of readings, either for self or for new members
interested in the work at $20 each. If possible these
readings to be budgeted and set ahead from month to month.
By a careful budgeting of readings the Association will be
able to know just how many may be devoted to research,
charity, etc.
3. To a selected group or in a general letter with above the
following plan will be presented. Individuals may become
members of groups sponsoring a definite number of readings
for specific research purposes. For example a group of five
members may desire to secure a series of six readings on
epilepsy. Copies of the readings will be sent to each member
of this sponsoring group and before the readings are given
arrangements will be made for following the suggestions. Or,
perhaps a group will be interested in sponsoring a series of
readings on economic surveys. Copies will be sent and plans
for using the information constructively formulated. These
readings will be given at the regular $10 fee and the
expenses divided among the group members. If this plan
is carried out carefully individuals will receive more
copies of readings on subjects in which they are interested
and the readings may be carefully budgeted. It is just as
easy to transcribe the reading to a stencil for mimeographing
as to one sheet of paper for filing. The stenciling costs
and mailing would be comparatively small. The Trustees
should consider various types of groups that might be
established.
4. The sale of publications to new members and through
lectures will bring in - if the publication can be developed
as planned - a reasonably good income. Definite figures will
depend on the amount of lecture work that is done and the
development of the group activities which furnish excellent
outlets for publications.
5. In order to allow those plans to be gotten under way the
assistance of a special underwriting group will be requested.
This group will be able to gradually withdraw and become
regular Active members as the plans develop and the income
increases to meet the Budget figure.
6. Important among the recommendations that are being
presented is the following: The creation of an endowment
fund - that is the opportunity for one - for expansion of
various phases of the work in which individuals may become
personally interested. For example: Permanent security of
Edgar Cayce; a research laboratory and library; complete
cross and indexing of readings now on hand (much needed);
archeological checking on Life Readings; thorough University
as studies; vocational school - program planned through
series of readings now on system of education, etc. An
attractive booklet should be prepared and ready for
presentation to those who may be interested. This list
may be expanded. Our material on hand and subsequent
readings could furnish most helpful material on all of
the above.
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS PROGRAM CAREFULLY. PREPARE YOUR
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OR
IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO BE PRESENT SEND THEM IN
WRITING TO THE MANAGER, H. L. Cayce.
5/06/37 D. Johnston's ltr. to EC:
DOUGLAS T. JOHNSTON
GRAYBAR BUILDING
NEW YORK
MOhawk 4-0350
Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce
Assn. for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Dear Hugh Lynn:
I duly received your letter of May 3rd enclosing copy of the
Association statement for the month of April. The finances
of the Association continue to be in a most distressing
situation. I only hope that the trip which you are planning
to Washington and New York which will enable you to make
personal contacts with the membership of the Association
will result favorably. I am quite inclined to think that
it will.
I talked the situation over briefly with Mr. Parker this
morning and we agreed that on your arrival in New York we
should all get together and try and lay out a course of
action that will be most likely to be productive.
I expect of be away all of next week or from the 8th to the
17th inclusive. I will be back however before you expect to
arrive here.
From the statement received the finances are so low as to
even make your trip to Washington a problem. I am enclosing
my check for $50 which will at least help a little.
Very truly yours, [signed] Douglas T. Johnston
5/07/37 See
1800-30.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation