This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 15th day of September, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [3216], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Born July 18, 1879, near Austin, Texas.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relations of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces; giving the conditions which are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth plane, giving time, place and the name, and that in each life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity, that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over the years from the present - " '28 what an indomitable will! - " etc. on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now called [3216].
4. This is a very unusual entity. From the purely material standpoint or from the mental, too much could not be said in favor of the abilities or the characteristics of this entity. For, if the purposes and aims that are the obvious forces are kept directing the entity, few there be living today that will make the advancement spiritually of this entity - and without fanfare, or without any bragging.
5. Such characters as this are indeed those that make and keep the world safe.
6. In giving the interpretations of the records here, these we choose with the hopes that this may encourage the entity. For, while it is not to be easy from here on out - do keep that faith, and put more stress on the spiritual aspect of the life, and the sacrifices the entity has made and will make for others. For the entity, is among those that know no "give up".
7. While the entity becomes rather adamant at times and has its faults and its failures, we find that the purposes and the hopes are in the right direction. There only needs to be more of the trusting in the arm of Him, who is the way and the truth and the light; and not in the own self. For, learn and know that of self ye may do nothing. It is indeed in Him that ye live and move and have thy being.
8. There has come into the experience sadness, a great deal of hard manual work, a great deal of the necessity for considering all those conditions surrounding the body in the material and in the economic situations that arise. That ye have grumbled within at times, is not to be wondered at but know that He will not tempt thee beyond that ye are able to withstand. Those whom He loveth He chasteneth everyone that ye may indeed bear more fruit to the glory of God, not to self but for the filling of the purpose for which each soul enters this material sojourn.
9. Then keep the faith in Him. Add to thy patience virtue in all things, kindness, brotherly love, longsuffering. Keep it in Him and He will strengthen thee day by day and give thee o that power which will make thee sure in thyself and of thy trust in the Lord. With this patience and longsuffering ye may indeed shed sufficient of the light of His love and those problems that are wearying thy body and soul, and yet that ye have accepted and do accept as thy part in this experience.
10. Thus we will find out that these become a part of thy own understanding, and as to how and why there are those periods at times when the lot seems most too heavy to bear. But in Him there is strength, there is might, there is power. For the earth is indeed the Lord's, and the fullness thereof the silver and the gold. And those who would be the greatest are indeed helpers, servants of all.
11. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity during the early periods of settling; among the hardy purposeful people. The entity grew in grace and in understanding, in its attempt to meet the needs of those conditions that arose in those periods of trial, those periods of loneliness, those periods of activity.
12. Then in the name Amelia Vaughn, we find that there may be found records of the entity's activities in and near the very entrance of the entity in the earth's plane in this experience. [Born near Austin, Texas]
13. Then the entity contributed to the welfare of those ill in body and mind, and brought peace - until there was the rebellion in self.
14. And again the entity finds itself meeting much the same character of problem, though from varied causes, in the present.
15. Before that the entity was in that land where the Master walked in the earth, among those who had brought their loved ones to the Master for healing. The entity brought its son that had been afflicted, and was so hard for those who were the Master's companions to know why they themselves could not heal when He had withdrawn in the mount that there might be material evidence in the flesh to His faithful three. Thus was the power or the might withdrawn and as was indicated in the admonition, fasting and prayer also must cast such conditions out.
16. So in thy own experience in the present, be oft in prayer. Be patient, be persistent for, He will not suffer thee to see corruptions until many of thy hopes, many of thy aspirations are fulfilled in thy consciousness. For, He is mindful of those who keep His ways, even as then He supplied that as would bring happiness and joy; not gratification but contentment and peace to the hearts and souls of those that sought to know his biddings.
17. Before that the entity was among the children of those groups in Egypt when the purifying of bodies was a portion of the activity assigned by the Priest to the individual groups that were the fathers of many of those people that were to become the basic groups of the period.
18. The entity was among those who worked with yet who rebelled at certain purifications in the experience. Hence the entity is still finding the necessity for body purification as one of the material and mental requirements, as well as the reactions of experiences coming to the entity in the present sojourn.
19. As to the abilities, - in whatever endeavor the entity would set itself, it may accomplish much, it may fulfil to the utmost that place; whether it be in administering to the needs of others, in purely technical, mechanical, regular routine, or the hardships of the relationships in teaching, in instructing various groups.
20. As to the manner of attaining, - keep the faith in God as manifested and presented in the activity of the Son in the earth. Learn the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy, and know that it is not merely an exercise, not merely a theory, but a practical application of knowing first thyself and relationship with the Creative Force, and as to how - through attuning of self to the various phases of experience - that which comes to the entity in such periods may be used in outlining better conditions for self and for those that have been and are somewhat dependent upon the entity.
21. Keep these tenets, these truths, deep within; making for those activities that will enable those who rely upon thee to become strong in the might of the Lord.
22. These accomplished, ye say indeed hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord."
23. Ready for questions.
24. (Q) Is it advisable for me to consider taking on some half-day job, both for mental stimulus and financial reasons?
    (A) This would be very well, but don't overstep the abilities of self. If that is determined within self to meet the needs of the material, as well as the mental rest that comes by change of attitude or aptitude, then do so - but enter, with zest, into other lines of thought than that required by the care of individuals.
25. (Q) Would this be leaving my invalid husband alone too much?
    (A) Not if there is the preparation for same.
26. (Q) Can I carry the extra work without undue strain?
    (A) Wouldn't advise it if it would be against the better interest of the entity.
27. (Q) In what particular field will I find both spiritual usefulness and material success?
    (A) As has been indicated, whatever the entity sets itself to do, it may do. Then to say that this should be in the direction of a mechanic, a director, a nurse, or "what have you", - this must be a part of the own consciousness - and will be directed towards the entity very soon.
28. (Q) If writing is advised, along what line?
    (A) What may be termed new thought, or spiritual healing, and the like.
29. (Q) Is it advisable to remain in ... this fall and winter? If not, what locality is indicated?
    (A) Remain this fall and winter.
30. (Q) The book I am writing, entitled ANNO DOMINI: Is it now in appropriate shape to submit to a publisher? If so, what publishing house would you advise? If not ready, what needs to be done in revision and completion?
    (A) This as we find might be considered by the Luce Publishing Co., if this would be submitted even in its present state. New York.
31. (Q) Does any revision need to be done?
    (A) Little, other than that which would be directed by those that may choose same. These writings had best be sent through an agent, rather than direct.
32. (Q) Would you suggest any special agent?
    (A) Seek this out for self, for there must be the answer within self.
33. (Q) How have I been associated in the past with the following, and how can I be of the most help to them in the present? My daughter, [...] and her children, [...]?
    (A) Very close friends in the experience before this, in the travels and the searches; and will be needed as a helper - later as being helped by the children about the entity - soon to be and are at present.
34. (Q) My daughter, [...], and her children, [...]?
    (A) In the Egyptian experience there were the closer associations. These then seem very near at times and at others very far away. These you accredit to characteristics of the individuals, but they are also the answering of spirit to spirit through same.
35. (Q) Regarding my good lots in Upper Peidmont: Is it advisable to put them on the market this fall, even if I cannot get the full amount of their cost? If selling at this time is wise, could you indicate the figure at which I would find a purchaser? If sold, What nature of investment of monies would be best?
    (A) We haven't any lots, but it is time to sell.
36. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 4/27/43 [3216]'s letter to EC:
   Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Virginia
   Dear Sir:
   Reading for the second time "THERE IS A RIVER", I am even more deeply impressed than at first by the story of your life and work as told with such sincerity and clarity by Mr. Sugrue.
   All the cases sighted bear their own interior evidence of utter truth. The recital of your wife's restoration to health, the saving of your son's eye, and Mr. Sugrue's own experience as told on the jacket of the book, are most impressive.
   But, to me, at least, what is given of the Life Readings, with their deep spiritual philosophy, their probings, their spiritual surgery and subsequent healing of the troubled mind and heart, are the most significant of all. They weave a pattern so eminently sane and so usable, here and now.
   The basic philosophy is not new to me. Precept by precept, the same idea have infiltered themselves into my mind. Like you, I have had - am still having, for that matter, plenty of reason to know that it does indeed take many years for that truth to which we give consent to become flesh and blood and dwell with us "unto works." After all, one life IS no more than a single cell-dot on an extending line, or chain of lives. And this line, like Einstein's infinite space, curves back upon itself, thus, finally, completing the circle, or, if we so choose to put it, a perfect sphere which, again, is but another cell in the "becoming body of Christ", as Saint Paul declared.
   For myself, I am very well aware that this present personality-cell is of no significance save as is useful to the soul, in whose life it has life.
   Of that life, and its purpose, I have had many intimations, even to the point of straight leadings. But, now, there are decisions to be made which will govern the rest of this life span, and I have not been able to give whole-hearted assent to any answer presented before my conscious mind. Possibly I have received the right prompting, I cannot decide whether this is the case or not. I have still the feeling that some personal bias may have had unsuspected weight, thus swaying the balance, with the result in its favor.
   I regard this next step as one so important that it must be taken under the authority of the spiritual soul. I would not have any element of expediency enter into the matter.
   I need wholly impersonal advice. I am persuaded that through you it will be forthcoming. Why not, since you are by every evidence a man ready and consecrated to such service? Surely, to say, as your inner voice says "We have the BODY before us" is also to infer "WE have this SOUL before us", since there is no "here" nor "there" as to the Soul of things as they have existed in God from the beginning.
   May I, then, hope for early word from you, giving that data you require for the best results from a Life Reading, together with other help for physical conditions that seem not serious, but are hampering at times.
   And: will you please state your fee? A labourer is worthy of this hire, and should have it promptly rendered him. I am sure such charge will be right, and I will meet it with real gratitude, far over and above the money involved.
   Sincerely yours, [3216]
2. 7/22/43, 8/16/43 She submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 9/11/44 Mary Wirsing's letter to Mrs. [3216]:
   Mrs. [3216] California
   Dear Mrs. [3216]
   Your Associate Membership will expire OCTOBER 1, 1944. Although we cannot promise future appointments for reading with these renewals, since we are booked for readings a year or more in advance, we do want to retain you as a member of the Association if you are interested in our work.
   If check physical readings are deemed necessary, your membership must be renewed in order to secure these readings.
   Our Active Membership will enable you to receive during the year for $25.00 the monthly bulletin, the weekly letter, and all mineographed or printed pamphlets.
   If you do not wish an Active Membership you may become a Sponsor for the Research Fund and receive our weekly letter for $6.00 a year, or the bulletin and weekly letter for $12.00 a year.
   Let us hear from you within thirty days as to your preference for membership or sponsorship, as the bulletin will cease with the expiration of your membership.
   We hope to be able to give you a year of inspirational and helpful information.
   Thanking you for your past cooperation and interest, I am
   Cordially, [signed] Mary, Wirsing Mary Wirsing, Membership Secretary MW/gm
2. 9/20/44 Returned above letter with written reply:
   No renewal, but all good wishes.
   Mrs. [3216]

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