This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 6th day of April, 1933, in accordance with request made by those present and by the Norfolk Study Group as a whole.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, Esther Wynne, Frances Y. Morrow, Helen Ellington, Hugh Lynn and Leslie B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give at this time a comprehensive discussion of how the people of the United States can best contribute to the spiritual development and progress of the world, answering first the question, "Through what measures and by what definite plans can we meet our own difficulties?" and second, "What definite programs should our nation sponsor to promote greater international harmony and peace?" Please present this in such a form that it will be of help and interest to the average reader and may be presented for publication to some periodical from the Norfolk Study Group #1. You will answer the questions which will be asked concerning this.
2. EC: Yes. As we find - while this is very poorly stated, to obtain any comprehensive outline, for it's stated backwards:
3. In considering conditions as they exist, and considering as to what individuals may do, and how the government should foster this or that movement, for a greater understanding, it is well that this be considered from the standpoint of what the Group represents first in the lives of individuals, and in the lives of groups, or masses, or classes.
4. Then to consider, too, as to the form of government and the policies of those who formed same, and how the people in their various walks of life have adhered to them, or how those principles have been fostered or furthered in their application in government towards the lives of the government's constituents.
5. When this, then, has been - or may be - presented from THIS angle, or view, then there may be given that of a definite nature as to what the group - as individuals, and as a group - may present as some form of application in the experience of individuals, groups, or masses, for consideration by those who are in authority.
6. For, as He has given, consider those in authority; for the powers that be are ordained from on High.
7. THEN may there be given through these channels that which may be of help.
8. We are through for the present.

REPORTS

1. 6/33 Paper by Esther Wynne:
   PRESENT WORLD CONDITIONS
   (A paper compiled by Esther Wynne from information given in the Edgar Cayce Readings 3976-8--3976-11.)
   In the beginning of creation chaos existed until the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters. Out of chaos came our earth, our world, in all its beauty. Nature, as the Garden of Eden, came into existence with God's preparation for man's indwelling in joy and harmony. With man's advent into the garden, personality asserted itself and man's selfish desire became a stumbling block in partaking of the forbidden fruit.
   With personality and individuality finding expression in the subduing and replenishing of the earth, man, with his own will, not only subdued the earth but attempted to subdue his fellow man. The results were the differences of opinion, as in the case of the rejection and acceptance of the offerings brought by Cain and Abel, for in the acts of Cain we find there was a greater consideration given to his personal desires than service to his Maker or relation with his fellow man. Hence, men began to divide themselves into various sects, classes, and races.
   As the earth was peopled, the expansion of abilities brought many groups and associations into existence. They withdrew into themselves and there arose in various portions of the world that known as periods of advancement of some particular group, people or race. Abraham was called to be a blessing to all nations. Moses was given training in the laws and teachings of the Egyptians, thus preparing him for the leadership of this peculiar people who were to become the givers of the law, for through this channel was to come mercy and grace to a tired, weary and war-ridden world in the Prince of Peace, of the house of David, of the stock of Judah, son of Jacob, of the seed of Abraham, the father of the faithful.
   As the world advanced man developed various capacities and abilities that brought many changes in his political, economic and religious life. In Greece the artistic appreciation of beauty in many modes of expression, language, architecture, sculpture, dramatic expression, reached a height unknown before or since that age. Roman civilization gave to the world a system of laws that became the basis for all later judicial procedure. The settlement of America was made by peoples who upheld and willingly died for the principle of freedom of thought and expression. From many parts of the world there came to this new land people with as many ideas as there were various groups, but with one principle, one ideal - FREEDOM: of thought, speech, religion; and it has been upon this principle that the leading nation of the world in economic and financial circles built its prosperity. Progress, real lasting progress, for a group, for a race, for a nation will and must come from a central ideal held inviolate in the heart and mind of each individual.
   With the advent of what may be termed this age of science and commercialism, men all over the world have drawn closer together. Their financial, commercial and social relations have become more and more entangled. The man on the other side of the world is today as much the neighbor as the man next door. As these relations have become involved great turmoils have arisen in the attempt of individual leaders or groups to induce, force or compel one portion of the world to think as another.
   Yet, all was not hopeless. After the last great war there was a peace table and about it were gathered representatives of every nation under the sun. In the soul of the representative of the United States sat the Prince of Peace, yet many in the economic and financial world would have you believe had this man never left his home the world would be better today. Not so! It has been written, "Ye shall pay every whit." "The heavens and the earth may pass away, but My word shall not pass away, saith the Lord." Did the United States neglect the opportunity to do all in her power to carry out the teachings of the Prince of Peace? Is she not reaping that which she has sown?
   Today, Europe is as a house broken up. Nations are suffering from the terrible reaction brought upon them from harboring the thoughts of selfish greed and lust for power that tore the world asunder in 1914. The people of one of the greatest nations of Europe have passed through the experience of being over-ridden for the gratification and satisfaction of a few. These peoples are being born again, and are becoming the thorn in the flesh to many of the political and financial nations of the world. Out of their trials and sufferings, with the prayers and supplications of those who may pray will come a new light. The hope of Europe depends upon you, in your home, in the same manner as did the life of Lot depend on Abraham's prayer for the people of Sodom and Gomorrha.
   Great Britain is fighting a losing struggle. Non-resistance is hard to break. Your prayers and supplications will help to keep the millions of India from being broken and destroyed by internal strife, will help them to keep faith with themselves and with the rest of the world.
   The United States faces the gravest crisis in its history. It cannot be expected to recover from the great economic depression until its basis for recovery is founded upon that which will bring peace and harmony. The United States has been one of the leading nations in attempting to give an understanding of the principle, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;" hence, it stands above most of the other nations of the world in financial and social position, yet it has faltered. "KNOW YE THAT WHEN TROUBLES ARISE SIN LIES AT THY DOOR!" Troubled seas lie ahead, war, famine and a greater economic depression are certain if the people do not rally to the standard of creating within their own lives as individuals a love of service for others. "I will make my life a channel of blessing to someone today." When the greater number of the people turn to this ideal conditions will improve, not merely as man counts improvement but in contentment and understanding.
   America has found that it cannot legislate goodness into the heart and soul of its people, nor will prohibiting a self- willed body keep it from sin. When the right ideals of prohibition have been builded into the hearts and minds of the greater number of the people of the nation it will win, but it has already lost for the present and only waits the decision as to whether the people will stand as a law-abiding or a law-breaking nation.
   With these conditions existing then: Man has come to that place in his development where there must be a reckoning, for out of this turmoil that has arisen from social strife, racial differences, and economic relations, must come a better understanding of man's relationship to the Creative Forces and his relationship one to another. You say at once that such a thing is impractical, impossible. What has caused the present conditions throughout the world? It is the realization that each is being asked from within that question as was asked some thousands of years ago: "Where is thy brother? ...the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground," and man is replying, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The world, as a world has lost its ideal. That makes for disruption and is content. Men may not have the same idea, but man, all men may have the same ideal.
   As the spirit of God moved to bring peace and harmony out of chaos, so must the Spirit now move over the earth and magnify itself in the hearts and minds and souls of men that they may dwell together in peace, harmony and understanding; for peace and harmony may only come from having the one ideal as set by Him who gave: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, thine neighbor as thyself." This is the whole law, this the answer to the world's troubles today. This ideal in the heart and soul of each will bring peace and plenty out of chaos.
   How shall this be brought about? As each, in his respective sphere, puts into action that which he knows to be the fulfilling of that ideal, that law of love, so will the little leaven leaven the whole lump.
   Man's answer to everything has been POWER - power of money, power of position, power of this, that or the other. This has never been God's way. Rather, little by little, line upon line, here a little, there a little. When individuals have taken thought of others they have kept the world intact. Where there were ten just persons, even, many a city, many a nation, has been saved from destruction. We may feel or think the lesson given Abraham as he viewed the cities of the plain and plead for them is an allegorical story, a beautiful tale to be told children that it might bring fear into their hearts, but may it not warm our hearts today? Will you make your own heart right and answer for your brother and neighbor? Who is your neighbor? he that lives next door, or he that lives on the other side of the world? Rather, he who has faltered, he who has fallen by the way; he is your neighbor, and you must answer for him.
   The question that is in every mind is, "Where can I turn for help?" What will lead the world back to its ideals? The responsibility of this leadership will not fall on any group, class, individual or sect that does not present His ideals. Did He not give, "The day cometh when neither in this mountain, nor yet in Jerusalem shall you worship the Father ...but in spirit and in truth?" That day is at hand. The world will come out of this chaos, out of this attempt to grapple one with another for that which fades and dies with the day or years as it turns toward His teaching in, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thy self."
   Written in June, 1933 -
2. See 262-26, Par. 29-A; 262-45, Par. 16-A; and 262-48, Par. 10-A re paper in Par. R1 above.
3. 8/25/33 See 3976-12.

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