This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of David E. Kahn, 44 West 77th Street, New York City, this 7th day of May, 1931.

Present: Edgar Cayce; David E. Kahn, Conductor; B. B. Sidelman, Steno. Mrs. [5502].

TEXT

1. DEK: Now you have before you the body of [5502] and all of her associates and associations. You will also have before you the body of [257], his associates and associations. [5502] and [257] are both present in this room. You will advise them, especially [5502], just what she should do to become the directress of the work that Edgar Cayce is in New York to introduce and further carry on. We will ask you the questions after you have finished.
2. EC: Yes, we have the bodies, the enquiring minds, [5502] and [257], both present in this room. In respecting the activities as related to HOW such direction should be had or taken would in a concrete manner be as this.
3. First, there has been given that manner in which each shall take into consideration their own personal relationships to such information and the scope of its usefulness to individuals, groups, masses. Then when this has been decided in self, know more of the NEEDS of those through WHOM the information may be gained, and the needs and the surroundings and such relationships as necessary for the completion of the physical organization that would be the channel for presenting such information, such directions as may be had, and see that same is formed, organized in a manner as in keeping with the principles as have been set forth by the information as HOW same may be distributed or given to those as may seek same.
4. Beginning in a manner as conforming to same, as each step is taken. Then that as is necessary in direction, in ways, means or such, will be added as the necessity demands same.
5. Knowing that human nature and its response is the same throughout the ages and has been, will be, the change being the individual making that reflection in their activities in conformity to divine rules or regulations or for self aggrandizing of interests.
6. (Q) How many people should [5502] get for the leaders or associate directors in New York?
   (A) There, as has been given, should be those that are sincerely interested in the propagation, if considered worthy of same, interpreters of information received. Yet sufficient to head such individual groups as seemeth and as is necessary to meet the needs of same. Those that come under one head should not be EXPLAINED by another. But those that are of one mind, will, of the nature of the mind, herd, as it were, or flock together.
7. (Q) Do you mean that one group should be in charge of the physical readings and another group in charge of the social or material groups?
   (A) They should. This has been well outlined, in the plans as have been set forth, in purposes and ideals. Those that would EXPLAIN or aid an individual in obtaining PHYSICAL assistance through proper association or relation or contact with those who would heal or awaken that necessary for healing of physical ills would hardly explain those of the life or spiritual information.
8. (Q) Should the Board consist principally of men or women?
   (A) Should be well-balanced, informing, as has been given, many minds, many ideas. Yet an ideal may have many minds striving for one purpose. While many ideas without an ideal will sooner or later cause or bring about consternation, hence purposes and ideals. This should consist first of a Board, a general manager, a personnel manager, a head of the four-fold work as has been set. This would be required as much in any vicinity or any surrounding and wherever same is, very responsible to the general manager [who] is responsible to the Board, making them a completing whole following ideal. [5502] would be well in the position of general manager.
9. (Q) How much finances will be necessary for the first six months on laying out this plan?
   (A) Dependent upon the nature or the necessity of the plan. Dependent that upon how many departments of that goal as is set before the organization will be taken up. Those individuals in various departments of that taken up needs to be taken care of but any department that after being established that does not take care of itself should either be changed or combined with another. For each should be, must be, self-sustaining when considered from these viewpoints, for if and is the purpose, the aim, the ideal in the divine forces, God gives the increase and the laborer is worthy of the hire, whether this pertains to the cook or that source through which the information may be gained.
   As to amounts, these would depend upon what branches of same are taken up. Of necessity there are those MAY HAVE needs for the maintaining of that necessary to care for the data already in hand; where same may be protected even as that channel through which information may be given, an ideal and a purpose then as to how same should be distributed of that already gained. One in charge of same should, can, WILL make same SOON self-sustaining. Those places or place in which there are those minded that that must be in personal contact with source of information for the healing of, for the directing of, aids for, physical ills. This in an EASY manner made self-sustaining, should also be begun. Those that make for the new contacts, those that are interested in the various fields, these also should be cared for. THESE should at least be begun. As there is made those contacts that become as IMPROVEMENTS of the group studying or attempting to distribute that information or that data already gained, there are and will be, groups who will desire in varied vicinities to study same as courses, as lectures, as readings. These also should be put on a basis where they themselves not only are self-sustaining but are self-propagating and if done and AS done in the proper manner, must grow. Growth means expansion. Expansion means more possibilities. More possibilities means more expansion and the needs of individuals to carry on, but let no carrying on be other than an eye single to service, and ideal, and not an idea alone.
10. (Q) Where should the work be done?
    (A) Where should the work be done? That depends upon what is needed, to be done. Done where that is needed to be done. As has been outlined and often given, the success may be made in that place as given, Virginia Beach, Va. There a success may be made. This sufficiently far from the commercial forces and yet sufficiently close, not to be disturbed by, or to disturb those in the larger circles; for there is a larger population within two hundred miles of that place than in most any other that is not a commercial place.
11. (Q) Should the hospital be contemplated first or later?
    (A) Begun as it is. In a SMALL manner - two, three, four - five, a sufficient place that the overhead does not destroy the active forces of THAT as is attempted. Not so small that it may not be self-sustaining; not so large as to be burdensome. As the necessity needs, add to.
12. (Q) Who would be some of the principal people for [5502] to see first to get the money to begin?
    (A) First, see the needs; then as the needs are seen, there will be given as through the unsuspected forces of the body itself as to the approaches to be made. Make that begun first self-sustaining; with that in hand, and then much may be added. See?
13. (Q) What advice should [5502] have to strengthen her in the trust she already has manifested to be successful with the work?
    (A) None other than that as has already been given, as keep that faith, that hope, in ministering to others as ye would be ministered to in their own position. For as we keep the faith with others as is committed to us, others will keep the faith with us. This the principle: Do unto others as ye would have others do unto thee. Let there be light, in the light brings the life (light) and understanding.
14. (Q) Should [257] attempt to develop his commercial enterprises for the benefit of this work with assistance and cooperation of [5502], or keep these entirely separate?
    (A) That should be dependent upon the aims and purposes of each and should be decided within self as to that that is to be consecrated in that direction. For as has oft been given, he that will not use that already in hand would not use same were it a hundred-fold more. In the use of that in hand, in the direction as is purported, whether it be mental abilities, physical abilities, or the spiritual forces or the commercial side of experience, use that in hand and the increase comes with the use.
15. (Q) Is there any other advice for [257] to be used tomorrow in the things he is interested in that might help us get started quicker?
    (A) Start with what you have; don't depend upon tomorrow or next day. Start with what you have; that gives the increase. Also it gave as of old: take the shoes even off thy feet; take the rod that is in thine hand; though be directed when thineself, thine mind, thine body is consecrated to an ideal, [[257] was Nadab, nephew of Moses] the purpose must be right.
16. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. See 5502-2 and 5502-3.

REPORTS

1. 5/13/31 EC's letter to Mrs. [5502]: "It was certainly very lovely of you to take the time to consider the needs of the work in which I have been engaged. I am still hoping that your interest in it will be such that you will find the answer to some of the things you have been wanting to do.
   "From every angle it seems that the 6th of June will be the best time for the organization meeting. I am hoping that this will be satisfactory with you, and that you can be among those present. As I said, I want you to know my family - my wife, my father, my boys, my secretary; and the work in its activity here. I trust you will be able to spend some time at Virginia Beach when you come.
   "Should there be any suggestions you have to offer in the meantime, that I may pass them on to the party who is drawing up the papers and assisting us in negotiating the charter, rules, regulations and by-laws, I would appreciate them.
   "Thanking you for the kindness and courtesy shown me, and with love, I am..."
2. 6/06/31 Mrs. [5502]'s wire: "Sorry not to be with you today. Hope see you very soon. Best regards."
3. 6/11/31 EC's letter to Mrs. [5502]: "Thanks for your wire of the 6th. I was sorry indeed that you could not be with us on that day. No doubt you will receive official notice from some members of the Board of your election to the Board of Trustees of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. There were sixteen elected - three Jews. The president is a Mr. Jones, commercial agent for the Norfolk Southern Railroad, whose office is in Norfolk. A Mr. Preston, also a Kentuckian, educated in Lexington, and an attorney, business man, was elected manager. Mr. Kahn, Mr. Levy, Mr. Danzig, you know - I think you have met them all personally. I would certainly like for you to consider this rather seriously. I believe the Board is such that you would be able to do a great deal of good with it, for the other fellow, and that is the whole purpose of the organization, to be sure. I hope that you will accept this place on the Board. The details of the organization, of course, will be worked out as fast as we can get to them. Dr. Paul Kaufman, whom I believe you met, is also a member of the Board - he is a college professor, dean of English in Atlantic University, was dean of English in American University at Washington for several years, is a Harvard and Yale graduate. Dr. Scattergood, a Presbyterian minister, is also a member he is primarily a construction engineer, but has been in the ministry for a number of years, and is really interested in psychic phenomena and the spiritual or life forces that may manifest through individuals. Mr. Barrett, another member, is connected with the Navy Yard in Norfolk - quite an influential business man. Mr. Lawrence, another, is a banker - one of the officials of the American National Bank in Portsmouth, Va. Miss Esther Wynne, another, is a social service worker - had training in New York and is now in charge of the work in Norfolk, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, as well as some other organizations who join with them. Miss Edmonds is a very lovely young lady, who has never married - consequently, is still a young lady quite interested, and quite capable in work of this nature. Mr. Zentgraf, whose name you have no doubt heard mentioned before, is a paper manufacturer in New York - lives in Staten Island. Several members of his family have been aided through these channels, and they are all quite enthusiastic and quite capable people. Dr. McChesney is a retired naval man, is of the chiropractic school - not practicing, but has been retired by the Navy; consequently, is a government man. My son and father are both members of the Board. I hope that you will come to know each and every one of them well. I will be anxious to know your reaction to the type of individuals selected, and for you to come down and pay us that visit and get acquainted with the surroundings sometime in the very near future.
   "Again thanking you for your interest, and trusting that we may be of service to many, I am..."
4. 6/13/31 Dr. Paul Kaufman's letter to Mrs. [5502]: "On behalf of more than 60 persons assembled at Mr. Cayce's residence at Virginia Beach on June 6th, I have the honor to inform you that you were elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the new organization to be called "Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc." We believe that you are not only familiar with the aims of the new association, but also in such sympathy with them that you will be glad to accept a place on the Board.
   "As you will observe from the enclosed minutes, at the organization meeting 16 trustees were elected, 13 being present and signing the charter to be presented to the Corporation Commission of the State of Virginia. The Trustees and their executive committee have met for organization and for the inauguration of the Association's program. Within a short time this committee expects to be able to report substantial progress to the entire Board. You will be kept informed of all important developments.
   "With the hope that you will accept the election and with my kind regards, I am," Sincerely yours, Paul Kaufman, Chairman, Executive Committee
   [GD's note: Mrs. [5502] was never active as a member of the Board, did not attend a single meeting. On several occasions we heard from her, stating briefly she could not come, etc., etc. We heard through others of her activities; she continued to sponsor [2897] and they attended several other meetings in the New York area over a period of years.]
5. 8/12/57 Her death notice appeared.

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