12/19/23 EC's letter:
P.O. Box 463,
Dayton, Ohio
[
4906]
..., Okla.
My dear Mr. [
4906]:-
I have your letter of December 12th, also your wire of the
17th. I hardly know how to answer either one of these by
letter. Wish that it was so that I could just sit down and
talk to you about these. Your letter, Mr. [
4906], certainly
means a very great deal to me, and just such letters and just
such conditions created or made in people's lives are to me
the acid test of the truth that may be in this work, yet I
feel at the same time it places upon me a responsibility in
gathering about me the correct ones to assist in this work
that is beyond the minds of most of us to understand. I
have made many mistakes, as every other man has. I have made
many mistakes in having about me the different ones who were
interested with me in this work. To my mind, as I told you I
think one evening in your room while here, the gentleman whom
I had given the handling of the business part of the work,
was the first person to my mind that I had ever come in
touch with that was not looking to the selfish end of the
proposition first and foremost. Consequently, I had felt
drawn to him in a way that I had to few people. I did not,
nor did other people, question his business ability. It
is perhaps that his line of work, and endeavors, have been
such that the people just grasping at the class of work,
supposedly to be accomplished through these readings, feel
that it did not coincide. Hence it made a barrier that was
hard to overcome, but I think from your wire you have gotten
the wrong opinion of Mr. Lammers. Why, how, or whether it is
to be that force that will destroy much of the good that you
had contemplated might be accomplished between you and I or
not, is yet to be seen, but until he would prove to me and to
my work that he was not the man to handle the proposition I
do not know how I could do otherwise than I have. I do not
mean by this that there is to be an entanglement, neither
is there to be others to deal with in the division that have
proposed to be accrued from this work other than myself and
the Institute. That has never as yet been the attitude that
Mr. Lammers has taken, for all of it has been, all of his
work, all of his endeavors, rather to further the work, and
give people that were not able, or even that were able and
did not for some reason or another see fit to contribute
sufficient for me to carry on the work, he has been willing
and ready whenever possible to assist in any way that
he could, without arranging for remuneration for himself.
Whether that you see deeper into this than I, and feel that
there is something back behind it all or not, time I suppose
will be the only thing that will prove just what is the right
thing. I want to see you, have a chance at the drilling of
that well. I understand from one of the men, or the partner
of one of the men, who has been figuring with me on handling
the property, that their chief financier is a native of
Okmulgee. In all probability, this gentleman may be to
see you in the next few days or weeks. They have had, I
understand this morning, some people checking over property
in San Saba. They report this morning that their findings
are very good. Now, just what to say - Now of course you
know my whole proposition is like this, Mr. [
4906]. I want
to do the right thing by everyone. The landowners have
seen fit to have confidence in me. I haven't any money.
I haven't anything to hold off on. I am lacking I know in
business ability in dealing with business men. I have got to
trust to the goodness of men. I may be gifted with the power
of helping people when I am in an unconscious state. I try
to live in accord with what I am trying to do, yet I know I
fail, but to know that any man, and especially a man of your
ability, feels that they have been helped by coming in touch
with the work I am trying to do, makes me feel like that if
it is possible you would be the man to do the actual work on
the proposition anyway. I have two other people who are just
as close as it is possible perhaps for friends to be. One
of these men feels like that he owes his health, perhaps
his life, to this work. The other is a thorough Christian
gentleman, and they are working together trying to make
arrangements to drill this property. Now, whether they
are the ones, you, or the people I just referred to, whose
associate is a native of Okmulgee, I cannot say. I can only
leave it for the time being, and say that I will leave it
with Him, and whichever is the correct thing He will guide,
He will direct it, and the results will be that which is the
best.
Now, as to your actions in regards to conditions about you,
naturally I feel like, from the reading and from what you may
in this letter, that you have done the right thing. You may
surmise also that Mr. [...] has written me relative to the
reading, and now wants to know why the reading said that
he was not the man to deal with you, and if he and his wife
were the persons referred to in reading that were leaving the
home at the hour. Now, of course, I do not want to make any
hard feelings between friends. I cannot understand how I am
supposed to know even who it was that was leaving, and we can
only leave it to the reading. I have suggested to Mr. [...]
that perhaps this would come out in a horoscope reading for
himself. As to whether it will or will not I do not know.
Whatever is said of course that I have to abide by, as do
others, for I have no way of knowing what I am going to say
beforehand, nor what I have said until I see it written off.
Yet, from your own letter, it seems, taking what has gone
before and what was happening at the hour, it certainly has
been most convincing to you that there is something beyond
the understanding of the human mind, yet because that it is
beyond it is certainly something not to be ignored, but to be
dealt with in the correct way.
Of course, it is most pleasing to know that the diagnosis for
the Mother-in-law was along the lines as all understood the
case. I thank you for the enclosed, as you know, in giving
my time and that of two others entirely to this work, such
remembrances are good, for whatever that I am able to do, the
daily needs have to be met. I do not want to become a burden
to anyone, consequently to have the Institute backed by some
foundation that has been the work's making, and that had
brought remuneration to everyone concerned, else I could have
never been persuaded to have ever lent myself in the first
place to attempt to tell anyone where to drill for oil. I
have seen this tried in many various ways. I know there are
things that are questionable that it might be used in and
make a great deal of money in a small length of time, yet by
the experiences at such times that it has been lent for such
purposes the reaction in my daily life has been such that I
know it is not worth the cost that it is in heart and mind
and conscience to lend this work to such purposes. I have
been persuaded, and have persuaded myself, though perhaps
I am in error, or whether it is true or not still remains
one of the not understood things in the work. I know that
I have, or others have, oil properties that have proven
correct. I have had old experienced men to tell me that they
have checked up logs foot by foot, and that it had been worth
while. All of these have been for other people, other people
with moderate means, and without means, struggling, striving
to get somewhere. None of these have seen fit so far to
contribute anything to myself. I do not hold it against
them, because if they should have they would have done so.
It must lie on their own conscience. I do not think,
however, that this is left entirely to the San Saba property,
or that it would only work in that place, and I would be
willing to try to be of assistance to you, let you make
whatever assignment that you would see fit to the Institute,
before or after, or however you would see fit, and see just
what it would do. I will only ask this of you, and in which
very, very, few others have ever done, though they have
promised me beforehand that they would, to give me a written
report of just what your findings were, if you drilled
according to the information furnished on any special piece
of land, and what your report was that I would abide by.
As to the personal influence this, seemingly, has brought
into your life, of that I am proud, and, as I said in the
first, just that seems to me to be worth while, for I feel
as this way. Were it my own boy in question, in if it makes
you find yourself, and it makes you feel cleaner, and bigger
and better, then it is worth the whole world. I know it
would be if it was my boy that someone else has brought such
an influence into the life, and I feel that it has done this
to you then it is worth the whole world, whether I have
anything to eat tomorrow or not.
Now, whether I have been able to give you a correct
understanding of myself, and of the conditions as I, in my
normal state, see them or not, I do not know, but I hope
you will try to see this just as I do, and if you do not
understand it that you will take the time, when you have
the time, to write me, and ask me, and let us get an
understanding of each other, for I am sure that we will
be worth much to each other if we will let ourselves be.
Hoping that you will write to me, and that I may have the
pleasure of seeing you sometime in the near future, with
kindest personal regards and best wishes, I beg to be
Yours sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD
12/22/23 Mr. [
4906]'s letter:
Mr. Edgar Cayce,
Dayton, Ohio
My dear Mr. Cayce:-
Your much expected letter came yesterday afternoon, and I
intended answering it last night but could not find time
to do so, but will settle down for a nice long chat this
evening, as it is raining here and I do not feel like
going to the office.
I was delighted with your letter and really enjoy the way you
explain things but I do believe you misunderstand me. You
seem to think that I have it in for Mr. Lammers and that I
am too plain in my statements. Now Mr. Cayce, you know very
well that I know very little about the arrangements that you
have with any one that works in connection with you in your
great work. And it is really none of my business to know.
But I believe that every man has the privilege to pick the
ones that he would like to become associated with. And the
same thing that prompted me to want to deal with you, and no
one else, even before I knew of your work, is the same thing
that prompted me to answer your wire in the way that I did,
and besides that, it prompts me not to stand in the way of
any deal that you may be able to close, and at the same time
it seems that we are to become very, very close friends, and
out of that close connection you and I will reach the goal
that we have been struggling for for many years, and I am
perfectly satisfied with your statement that you would leave
it to "HIM" to decide, for we both must remember that He
never cheats and hands out to each man just what he deserves,
and for myself, I am willing to accept his decision, and let
the chips fall where they may. It matters not to me if I
never go to San Saba, Texas, for if the meeting with you and
the knowledge of your great work is the cause of me finding
myself spiritually, then maybe I have received all the
blessing that I should want. But, I will say this, that
whatever the outcome may be should it fall our lot to drill
this well on the Rocky Pasture, here in my estimation is what
the Christian public will say of you and I, that you are (THE
RICHEST POOR MAN IN THE WORLD) richest because of the good
you have done in the world for mankind. And I (THE POOREST
RICH MAN IN THE WORLD) poorest from the fact that I had given
all my findings to aid you in your great work. You see the
one-eight and seven-eights has nothing to do with the outcome
of our deal, yet it must be that way to begin with for that
is where the desire I have had to help my fellow man comes
in, and if this desire is not really in my heart to do as
I say, then HE will guide you that I am not the man to deal
with. As I understand this that you and I, should we drill
this well we must not take out any of the money other than
a comfortable living for our families, and the rest to go to
the completing and building and operating of your institute.
Yes, you are right time is the only thing that will tell you
what to do, and it may be possible that I see deeper into
this than you do, as I can only be guided by what I feel is
right, and all I ask of you in making your decision as to my
part to play in the San Saba deal is to remember that you are
basing your decision on a reading that is divinely correct,
knowing me and my inner self as the Master does. Now, has
the other men fearlessly laid bare their lives spiritually,
mentally and physically, if so, and their records are cleaner
and better than mine, then give them the chance to do this
work for they deserve it, and I will never whimper at all,
for things lately seems very, very different to me.
You say, Mr. Cayce, that you are lacking in business ability.
This is not so, I have met many big business men in my life,
and have dealings with them, and it is astounding to know how
little and narrow and undermining some of them turn out to be
on LONG acquaintances, but with you it is entirely different,
a cleaner and brighter mind I never saw, why do you let
people tell you that. You know on every deal that comes up,
you have your own idea, why don't you follow it, it is the
road to success.
Mr. Cayce, I want to learn more about this work, because it
is a big help to me and the burden that I have carried for
many years seems very, very much lighter. I really enjoyed
taking my family to Sunday School and Church last Sunday,
and, believe me, we are going every Sunday from now on. I
have always contributed to the church freely but would never
go myself. Everyone wanted to know what had happened to me,
well - I just let them guess at that.
I noted carefully what you said about helping me on my
wells here, and I am perfectly willing to give you one-eight
carried free into the tanks in each test that you locate for
me. This means that you would have one-eight of the gross
proceeds of each test for yourself or institute, and would
have no bills to pay at all, and if this is the right thing
to do, I can build for you the finest institute in America in
less than five years for you see my plans are laid to drill
during the year of 1924 at least twenty five new wells on
new leases scattered over the Mid-Continent field. Now Mr.
Cayce, I would not enter into an iron-clad agreement with you
to do this unless you will take a reading for yourself and
ask if it is the right thing for us to do, and if the reading
says that it is the proper thing to do, upon the receipt of
this reading, I will have my attorneys draft a contract with
you protecting you for your agreed upon one-eight in every
test that you have directly or indirectly predicted on as
to the outcome, and I will further say that I will carry out
your instructions fully in regard to the written statement of
just what the findings were in each of these test wells.
Now Mr. Cayce, please find out at once if this is the proper
thing to do. If so, wire me, for I am now waiting to sign
the contract on two more pieces of land, but do not want to
sign up until I hear from you. I will want you to pass on
these properties before I sign the contract. Of course I
have two under headway now, and I will want you to pass on
them also as soon as you find out that it is proper to do so.
I will not write more this time, but want to thank you for
your nice letters and for the big help that you have been to
me. Expecting to hear from you at your earliest possible
moment. With kindest regards to all,
Hurriedly [
4906]
P.S. I finally got my prescription filled, was very careful
to get all ingredients just as the reading called for and
started taking as directed on December 20.
1/01/24 EC's letter:
P.O. Box 463,
Dayton, Ohio
Mr. [
4906]
..., Okla.
My dear Mr. [
4906]:-
Yours of the 22nd at hand, and while I wired you relative
to the reading, this is the first opportunity I have had of
writing you to mail a copy of the reading. As I wired, I
believe this will be most satisfactory, but I want you to
judge from the reading yourself, as you will know better
by the consideration of conditions that have been and are
present at hand [See
254-3,
12/28/23 re [
4906]].
It is certainly wonderful the letters that you write, and
I enjoy them more than I know how to tell you. I only wish
that it were possible for us to be more closely associated,
that we might have more of the personal contact. I believe
it would be better for both. However, time will be the
factor that, should we be thrown together, will tell
whether it is for the weal or woe.
I thank you for your words relative to my business ability.
However, I know my own failures perhaps as well as the next
one, and know that I am too easily influenced by everyone
that comes along that I feel drawn to in any way. Hence, the
usual outcome is that I am stripped dry by the time the other
person has gotten either set or what he started in for and
has found that I could not be used as far as had anticipated,
or that the forces do not allow it to be carried into the
channels as some have desired, yet I know that each and every
instance has been building and preparing me for the things
that come from day to day. We all say experience is a dear
teacher, yet, be we the wise or the foolish, we really do not
learn by any other than that dear school. I know from my own
self I have tried to live the life that to do unto the other
as I would like to be done by. Not that I am cleaner or
better than the other man, for "He that would be greatest
among you must be the servant of all." I have made this as
my one resolution for not only the year 1924, but for the
rest of my life, as far as within my power. I will be my own
judge of those conditions that have to do with my welfare and
that of those nearest and dearest to me, forgetting not that
I must serve the more would I give of the better self to the
assistance of others.
It is certainly most pleasing to know that you are taking
up your Sunday School and Church activities, for say what
we will or may there is nothing that keeps a man as close
to the right things, and the best things of life, as some
consecrated service to the Master, and the Church is the
physical manifestation of His work in the world. Not that we
don't often find better people in many respects, and people
perhaps fairer in their daily dealings, or as it may seem,
yet this illustration I am sure gives one a clear vision of
the condition of the Church man and that man on the outside.
No matter how beautiful or magnificent a car you may build,
unless it has that connection that makes it a goer and a doer
of things it compares very little to the one, no matter how
ramshackle, that has the arm that may be put out and cut in
to the force that gives it a real driving power behind it.
Just so with the man that is within, or is trying to do his
very best. Though he may be beset with all the cares of the
world, though he may find hypocrisy, lying, and all manner
of deceit within, it must be the individual action after all
that tells whether the inner spirit bears witness with His
spirit, as to whether one is in the direct way or not. So,
as I said in the beginning, it is certainly most gratifying,
and if I have done nothing else, if I have accomplished this
in the year 1923, of being of the least assistance in helping
[
4906] find himself I thank God for the privilege of being
of a little assistance, and feel that I have done something
worth while.
Now, as for the assignment, as you suggest for the readings,
I will leave it entirely in your hands, and whatever you may
see fit to assign to me for any assistance that I may attempt
to give, I will thank you. I will be glad to undertake
whatever you desire, so long as it is in keeping with those
suggestions as are made in the reading herewith enclosed.
I feel that you do not want to be otherwise. Hence, I also
feel and know you will not ask other than that as is deemed
wise to ask, so you can prepare them in the manner that you
see fit, and just as soon as possible they will be attended
to.
Have had several people with me of late on various
propositions, especially those relative to the Institute
work, and I am in hopes that it will soon materialize some of
the dreams and hopes that I have had for a long, long time.
I am in hopes to be able to write you again real soon, and
that I may have a personal talk with you. May be barely
possible that within a month or six weeks I would be in the
West on a little trip. If I may, I will certainly attempt
to come by and see you for a while, or should you be in the
East, of course you will stop by Dayton.
Hope that you will let me hear from you.
Thanking you again for your wonderful letters, with kindest
regards to you and yours, with Best wishes for a Happy and
Prosperous New Year, I am
Sincerely yours, Edgar Cayce
1/02/24 [
4906]'s wire [No copy of EC's wire in files. GD.]:
CA27 90 1/79 1924 JAN 2 AM 9 15
OKMULGEE OKLA 2 856A
EDGAR CAYCE CARE PHILLIPS HOTEL DAYTON OHIO
RECEIVED YOUR WIRE BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED READING [
254-3] YET
IMPORTANT DEAL ON IN SECTION TWENTY FOUR TOWNSHIP EIGHT NORTH
RANGE FOUR EAST THREE AND ONE HALF MILES NORTHWEST OF THE
TOWN OF MAUD OKLAHOMA IN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY PLEASE GIVE ME
REPORT ON THIS LOCATION AT ONCE WELL TO BE LOCATED SOUTHWEST
CORNER OF NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION TWENTY FOUR WHERE
HOLE WAS DRILLED BY OTHER PEOPLE TO DEPTH OF 900 FEET WIRE
ME COLLECT BY NOON TODAY
CA27 2/11 1924 JAN 2 AM 9 15
SHOULD I TAKE THIS DEAL I AM TO SIGN CONTRACTS TONIGHT
[
4906]
1/02/24 See
4906-2.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation