(Q) Please examine and criticize the outline for "There Is A
River", held in my hand. [See 5749-11, Par. R1.]
(A) As to the outline, it is, as we find, very good.
However, we would give that the air [deportment, mien,
manner, pervading influence, etc.], the purpose in writing
such data, should be kept - more than the outline here
indicates - in that same tone, or tension, as indicated in
the preface [See 5749-11, Par. B1]. That is, - EVER the
question, yet indicating from every phase of the experiences
the hope, the help, the activity created in the mind, the
experience, of the individuals so treated or suggested to.
And in the end, not so much data as proofs, but the character
of each varied phase of human experience indicated, - as to
the types of varied conditions through which help and aid and
hope came.
Then, - saying rather the number, or the approximate number
of each character of individual help given, with the
assertion of how many proofs are in hand; still the
questioning to the end.
That the data as presented may not be just another set of
experiences, stress throughout rather the hope, the help, the
desire, the activity created, - in the same manner as
indicated in the preface.
(Q) How should the Texas and hospital periods of this story
be handled?
(A) In the same manner of the questioning, as to the desires
of individuals with ideas, without the ideal, - which IS the
song or the text of the whole presentation; that those
seeking must have an ideal, and an attunement to purpose,
hope, and SINCERITY!
(Q) Should an appendix consisting of readings, letters,
affidavits, photographs and other such evidence be added?
(A) As just given, indicate that such are available, but
with the question, and with the pointing to the data as a
hopeful experience of the seeker.
Much of that same air that is presented, indicated, in the
manner in which there is the seeking from one or the many, or
the all who have a faith, a hope, grounded in that of
SPIRITUALITY, - not isms of any nature; and what that
presented by students, seekers, laymen, physicians of any and
every school, creates in the mind. As is presented in Father
McLaughlin.
(Q) Should the manuscript be submitted to this source at
various stages of its completion, or only when it is done?
(A) This should be RATHER the decision of the writer, as to
whether there are the needs for assurance.
In the mind, this given is taking shape. Use it in that
manner as would be expected of, or is counseled to others who
would seek aid.
For in the presenting, there will be many individual
instances where first the confusion will be indicated, or
curiosity, yet an atom of hope; and then, little by little,
the awakening to the possibilities of self receiving that
necessary impetus to become aware of that presence which may
abide in all. This should be done without becoming too much
of a philosophizing from an eccleiastical manner, but just
that expressed in "A new commandment I give, that ye love one
another."
So in the seeking for SELF, in the handling of the subject,
or the data, use same just in the manner ye would indicate
for others to do.
(Q) Should this be written now, in preference to the book
"The Coming Age of Faith In America"? [See 5749-11,
Par. R2.]
(A) As we find, this written now may aid the entity in
attaining the better concept of a presentation of the coming
age; as, such as may be presented IS a key to such.
(Q) Please examine the outline of projects for the American
Magazine, held in my hand, and advise me which it would be
best to push at this time?
(A) We find that these each have their place in the
experiences of individuals in the present. But rather be
guided by that impulse, that intuitive force, that spirit of
desire to present each phase in the way and manner as it
presents itself.
(Q) Can any criticism be given on the completed manuscript
of the novel, "First Communion"? [See 5749-11, Par. R3.]
(A) As from the mind of the individual, the entity, the
writer here, - the only criticism would appear from some
confusion in the continuity of the experiences of the
individual characters. But as a whole, with some deletions
as will appear, this is good.
(Q) What publisher would be best for this work?
(A) This as we find will be sought by more than one. Let it
pass through the channels that are opened for such in the
present. But do NOT accept Simon & Shuster's offer.
(Q) In seeking to make himself a channel for the expression
of truth in song and story, is the entity now working in the
right direction?
(A) HOLD FAST to that thou hast in hope, in faith, in
purpose, - and ye will feel and see and know that He is
pleased with thy efforts.
We are through.
Copy to Self
Copy to Wife
Copy to Ass'n file
BACKGROUND
6/15/36 See Sugrue's booklet recorded under
1800-26, being a
preface to THERE IS A RIVER.
REPORTS
GD's note: "There Is a River" was published in 1942 by Henry
Holt & Co.
GD's note: A lecture, "American Mysticism, the Future of
Religion in the United States," was published in the 10/52
Searchlight of A.R.E.
GD's note: "Such Is the Kingdom," his first book, was
published in 1940 by Henry Holt & Co., dealing with his own
boyhood and his "first communion."
"Stranger in the Earth," the story of his soul's search,
presenting the philosophy of the Edgar Cayce readings, was
published in 1948 by Henry Holt & Co.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation