Edgar Cayce Readings, 3954-1

Time and Place: 3:55 to 4:25 P. M. Eastern War Time. ..., Illinois.

TEXT

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:
EC: Yes, we are given the records here of that entity now known as or called [3954].
In interpreting the records as we are shown here, these we would interpret in this manner: Not with the intent and purpose that we might add much to the abilities of the entity, but as to give somewhat of assurance - that in that ye have manifested may be fully expressed the fourth commandment to that ye have sought and do seek. Not thine own way but His, that He has need of thee in whatever channel ye find thyself, to contribute much to those activities that add life, light, joy to others. For as expressed in thee, ye grow in beauty, in grace, in mercy. Thus ye become aware of being a living soul; thus enjoying - even under tribulations, His grace, His mercy, His love. For ye indeed do manifest His love in the earth, in that ye forgive in the same degree and manner in which ye ask to be forgiven. These are principles and laws in thy experience.
Thine own activities or sojourns in the earth have had and do have much more to do with that application ye make in the present of thy thought, thy tenets in the truth, than thy sojourns in other consciousnesses or in other dimensions.
Thus ye have grown. For it was in the earth that error first came to God's children, called children of men. Thus in the earth ye have met, ye are meeting, ye are manifesting that beauty, that grace, that long-suffering, that brotherly kindness, that gentleness which has indicated and does indicate the sowing of the seed of the spirit. Know in self this, ever: Ye may only sow the seed, ye may only cultivate for self. Ye cannot cultivate the sword of truth, ye cannot cultivate the fruit for a brother, for a son, or for a friend. Ye can sow seeds and work them in self, but God gives the increase. He adds those that should be added from the activities of their own opportunities, such as are worthy of becoming stars, yea, even as blossoms in the garden of God, in the garden of love.
As to the appearances in the earth:
As indicated from the abilities of the entity, in the days when Raphael made for activities in the earth, ye were in close associations there, that were at times even inspirational for those activities.
Thus the beauties of nature, the abilities to depict the beauties of nature, are a part of thine own heritage. And lucky indeed may be those who may some day have the works of thy hands. For they should be one day almost as precious as Raphael's, in the eyes of those who really enjoy God's pictures of nature.
In the experience ye manifested hardships and ye manifested glory. Thus in the present, while there have oft been contributions to the sick, the needy, the wayward, as indicated in thine own thoughts and purposes, these experiences have been far from thee.
Then fret not thyself over others, but keep the faith. Walk in the Way. Keep the lights burning ever, and others will find the Way - who in the present appear to be far in arrears with appreciations of the glory and love of the heavenly Father.
Yea, pray oft for those who have passed on. This is part of thy consciousness. It is well. For, God is God of the living. Those who have passed through God's other door are oft listening, listening for the voice of those they have loved in the earth. The nearest and dearest thing they have been conscious of in earthly consciousness. And the prayers of others that are still in the earth may ascend to the throne of God, and the angel of each entity stands before the throne to make intercession. Not as a physical throne, no; but that consciousness in which we may be so attuned that we become one with the whole in lending power and strength to each entity for whom ye speak and pray.
For, where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in the midst of them. What meaneth this? If one be absent from the body, He is present with His Lord. What Lord? If you have been the ideal, that one to whom another would pay homage, you are then something of the channel, of the ideal. Then thy prayers direct such an one closer to that throne of love and mercy, that pool of light, yea that river of God.
Before that the entity was in the earth when the Master walked in the land, among those that were of the holy women. In the beginning the entity was among that group of hired mourners at the passing of Lazarus. Becoming acquainted with the Master there, having the closer association with Mary, Martha, Lazarus, John, James, the other Mary, and Mary the Mother after the Crucifixion, brought the entity close to those activities that made the entity ever as one to whom many came for counsel. Many rely upon just being in the presence of the entity, that they might gain something from those activities, those words that the entity gives expression to. Yet the entity is active in many realms of activities, as it was in that experience in the name Martia.
Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were those activities in the Temple of Sacrifice. There the entity aided those who would today be called the physicians. The entity was close in association with that one who has been the companion in the present experience. Thus there was brought a bond of sympathy, love, hope and confidence that is still a part of the experience. Keep then the faith.
The entity gained throughout that sojourn. Thus may the entity, if it will but look within the heart of self, know that the study of self, the study of self's purposes, and analyzing same in the light of the Master Jesus, may enable one to find the beauty of love, the joy of love, the joy of living in the past and in the present. But look ever upward, onward, to that new day in which all will come before the throne of grace and mercy.
Ready for questions.
(Q) What does my Heavenly Father want me yet to accomplish in this world?
(A) Just sow the seeds of the spirit of truth. You needn't plow them up, you needn't try to cultivate them for others. Only cultivate them in thine own life.
(Q) How can I best help my six children to become part and parcel of the Kingdom of God on earth?
(A) By just living and being that ye would ask each of them to be. Better by precept or example. Not by what you say but what you are. These are the things that will grow most in the experience of those to whom ye have given and do give spiritual and mental help. For as the entity has found, there has been only the need to express the desire and it has come to pass in thy experience. This is the very nature, the very practice of that He has given; that what ye ask in His name, believing, is done already. Because it doesn't happen today doesn't indicate that it won't happen tomorrow. Because tomorrow never comes, unless today is filled with grace and love.
(Q) What is meant by learning the Law of Love? How may I do this?
(A) It is that ye make applicable in thy daily experiences. "Love me" is ever the command. "A new commandment I give, that ye love one another even as I have loved you." It is the willingness to sacrifice all of self, even the abilities of self, that others may know the Lord better.
(Q) Why was I so recently brought back to health, after nearly [9/43] passing into the "Better Land"?
(A) Why question ye the Father's purpose? Rather let it be, "Use me, oh Father-God, where thou seest I may serve thee better." But as indicated to the entity these are the assurances that He takes thought of thee and has need of thee in the lives of those who are to control the thoughts of many.
(Q) How have I been associated in the past with my present friend Lillian Beath?
(A) In the Holy Land and in Egypt there were close associations. In Egypt ye were rather close and helpful one to the other. The associations in the Holy Land might be questioned in some portions, but parallel those.
(Q) With my son, [4792] - how can I best help him? [GD's note: Mr. [4792] did not have a personal reading. This number was given merely to preserve his identity.]
(A) In the Egyptian land where ye contributed and added to the light through which, in which, he became the active force in tempering the lives of others. In adding to it in the present, speak gently, never harshly. For, some day he may come to thee yet in humbleness thanking you for what ye have been.
We are through.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

6/01/43 Mrs. Lillian Beath's letter: "Mrs. [3954] is a very dear friend of mine and it is the copy she has of your book that we are reading. She told me it was the most amazing book she had ever read; she is very much distressed over the type of books her son writes." [See 3954-1, Par. 21-A.]
6/22/43 [3954]'s letter to EC:
First day of Summer.
Dear Mr. Cayce,
I am encouraged by my friends Mrs. Albert Beath who has written you, and Mrs. Charles Clark (who recently made a pilgrimage to your home, together with Madam Bro, Walgreen, [...]?, [...]?, all good friends of mine) - to write to you of my great desire to have what you call a "life reading" - a record of my soul's pilgrimages.
I do not place confidence in the rank and file of mediums, because I fear that they are motivated by spirits, not directed by God, or are ONLY using their ability to make money. I have been told a few things by great Souls, in the Master's service, - and some of them have wanted me to write for them, Prof. William James and Dr. Talmage.
Painters have wanted to paint through me. Hofmann, Carol, and Rubens. The last named has helped me to achieve - so I'm told - but I am not psychic and have been unable to connect with these great ones who have crossed the River. I have had outspoken advice or encouragement about ten times, during my 71 years of life, when I have asked God to send me guidance, so I have never been a doubter. My father, [...], received illumination. He was a precious soul. My parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and g.g. grandparents were sincere Christians and none of their descendents have been lost. When I read "There is a River" I knew you would understand, if I could ever see you, - but with world conditions, I can only write you, and send the $20.00 that I understand makes me a member of your organization "The Association for research and enlightenment, Inc."
I am the mother of six grown up children, all married and possessing one to three children, each, of their own. I am not happy about the future of them. My oldest son is the well known novelist, [4972]. With his great ability he ought to be a power to move the world toward "The Kingdom of God on earth".
Now, I will not take your time with further details. Will just ask you, if possible to HURRY your reading for me, I feel that I shall not be here long. What a joy it will be to me, to meet you in the Heavenly kingdom. God bless you - your sincere friend, [3954], ..., Illinois.
Some of your free literature would be appreciated if you have some.
8/43 Mrs. [3954] referred Mr. [3369] for a Physical Rdg.

REPORTS

11/20/43 [3954]'s letter: "I am in receipt of the typewritten copy of my reading and thank you for it sincerely. It makes many points clear. I trust Mr. Cayce will live long and continue to be a blessing to many souls by keeping the channel open between the two worlds."
6/10/44 [3954]'s letter to EC:
Dear Friend:
I have not been well all winter and spring - a condition of very slow pulse and other troubles of circulation impeded, I am not complaining; only wanting you to know why I have been so seemingly unenthusiastic over the most helpful reading you procured for me last November 5th. I have had a most happy and blessed life. Everything I really wanted has come to me. The love and faithfulness of a pure unselfish husband - 6 talented brilliant children - my own success in 3 arts, all of which have brought me money and recognition. Wonderful parents with a background of five generations of godly people. These have set the imprint on my life, - but it remained for you to give me the most thrilling experience of all, in revealing the past experiences of my soul in other incarnations.
I cannot express to you, what it has meant to me, or ever be grateful enough to you for this crowning joy. My dear friend [5308] will be coming to you for a similar reading - July 1st or 2nd, I forget which date. She was so thrilled with mine; but in her, your angel guides will recognize an entity they have loved long since, and lost a while.
I am not likely to meet you here, in this world, but shall hope for that joy in the Heavenly Kingdom. God bless and keep you, friend of mine, Sincerely yours, [3954]
I greatly appreciate the bulletins. Thank you.
6/15/44 EC's letter to [3954]:
Mrs. [3954] ..., Illinois
My dear Mrs. [3954]
I am just in receipt of your letter of the 10th.
I wish that I had the words to express to you how much I appreciate this lovely, lovely letter and the beautiful way in which you express your appreciation for the reading we attempted for you.
I do hope that someway, somewhere, I may have the opportunity of meeting you in person, and meeting some of your friends. And now, your friend, who is coming in July makes me feel like almost knowing you, at least.
Thank you for the nice things that you say. They, of course, don't belong to me for it is not of myself, for of myself I can do nothing.
I, also, want to thank you very, very much for the picture for myself and Mrs. Cayce.
With every good wish for you and yours, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:wi
5/11/48 HLC's letter to [3954]:
..., Ill.
Dear Mrs. [3954]
Work had piled up so here at Virginia Beach when I got back I have not had a chance to write you and express my appreciation for the opportunity you gave me to visit you and see your very beautiful paintings. It was a most pleasant morning and one that I will remember for a long time.
We will be looking forward to seeing you down at Va. Beach before too long. Will it be possible for you to attend our Congress this year, June 20th through 26th?
Sincerely yours, Hugh Lynn Cayce HLC/dm
GD's note: 6/10/52 Mailing was returned marked DECEASED.