This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of December, 1943, in accordance with request made by the Spiritual Life Group of the Park Place Methodist Church, Norfolk, Virginia, through Miss Florence R. Edmonds, Active Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Florence Edmonds, Ruth Smith, Alice Lawrence, Mary Louise Martin, Mildred Chance and Harmon Bro.

TEXT

1. GC: Now you will have before you the Spiritual Life Group of the Park Place Methodist Church, some of whose members are present in this room, while other members are at their homes. You will give at this time advice and counsel regarding their work, and how they may best express the spirit of Christ in their work; and you will answer questions asked concerning any phase of it:
2. EC: Yes, we have the group - Spiritual Life Group, Park Place Methodist Church - as a group, as individuals.
3. In analyzing or giving that which may be helpful for this group, many personalities are to be taken into consideration. This should be the ideal of each member of such a group; that the personality of the Christ-Consciousness may be the individuality of each group; also each individual in the group. And as there is the analyzing of the Christ-Life, Christ-Consciousness, one realizes and finds that the Christ-Child was born into the earth as man; one born in due season, in due time, in man's spiritual evolution, that man might have a pattern of the personality and the individuality of God Himself.
4. Thus as the individuals in such a group read, analyze, study and apply those tenets, those truths that were presented by the Christ, they find that the Christ-Consciousness must become an individual and yet a living thing within their own individual consciousnesses. As with Him, He found no fault in others. This should be the first premise, then, of each individual; less and less condemning of others and more and more of self manifesting that love shown by the Father through the Son in the material world; that man, through this pattern, through this picture of God, may become a living example, may walk closer in that way of less condemning.
5. For as each individual realizes, as these tenets may be analyzed, if God had condemned - what opportunity would there be for man to find his way back to God? Thus each individual must do unto others as he would have his Brother, the Christ, his God, the Father, do unto him; and indeed, then, apply first, last and always His "Forgive, O God, as I forgive others. Find fault in me, O God, as I find fault in my brother." Less and less then of self, more and more of perfect love, without dissimulations, keeping that faith. Know that as there is the activity of self, self can only sow the seed of truth. And it will be to each individual as was indicated to the children of Israel. They entered into the Promised Land not because of their righteousness but because of the love of the Father for those who tried, who TRIED to live the righteousness.
6. Thus each individual may have the try counted as righteousness; not as an excuse, neither as justification. For ye have been justified once for all, through the Christ-Consciousness that ye seek.
7. Then the life, the purpose of the individual, the members of such a Life Group, should be that they may walk closer to the Christ day by day in every way. For His promise has been and is ever to each soul, "If ye will open thy mind, thy heart, I will enter, I will abide with thee." Not as a stranger, but as a brother, as a friend.
8. In this manner may the group as a group become a power for good, a power magnifying and glorifying the Christ-Life in the church, in the community, in the nation, in the world. For in this showing of the seed of the spirit ye sow, and God alone may give the increase, God alone may prepare the heart. For eternal life is never earned - it is the gift of God, by the grace of God - through the giving of the life of the Master, Jesus, who became the Christ by overcoming death, hell and the grave, overcoming the world.
9. Remember as He has given, it must indeed be that offenses come, but woe unto him by whom they come.
10. Let it never be said, then, of a single member of the group that ye offended the least of any of His little ones.
11. Think not more highly of thyself than ye ought, nor consider thyself above thy fellow man. For He that is the greatest will be the servant of all. Even as the Master signified in the bathing of the feet, in the breaking of the bread, in the building of the fire, in the preparation of the food; that the weary in body, in mind might be supplied. And then as He gave to that Disciple, He requires of everyone, "feed my lambs, feed my sheep." For all have fallen short, yet recognizing in self that of thyself ye can do nothing, but only as the spirit of truth directeth, ye may accomplish much. Then, entertain only the spirit of truth, the purpose of love, the hope of life. For He gave, "I came that ye might have light, life and love, and have all more abundantly."
12. And when these things are manifested in the mind and the hearts of the individuals of such a group, yea the world will feel the vibrations, yea the glory of the coming of the Lord. For He tarries not - for some, and in His love abide thee always.
13. Ready for questions.
14. (Q) As I give the name of each individual member of the group, will you please give an individual message: [3466].
    (A) Let that mind be within thee as was in the Christ, that gave Himself that others might know God. Do thou likewise.
15. (Q) R. S.
    (A) Let grace keep thee. Let mercy and justice direct thee, that the peace which passeth all understanding may be thine in the consciousness of the Christ-Presence.
16. (Q) [993].
    (A) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil. Cleave to that which is good. Try ye the purposes in each, but know that the Lord liveth and seeks the love, the help of others.
17. (Q) Edna Hainsworth.
    (A) Keep thy heart singing. Be not disturbed, nor let fear come in. For perfect love casteth out fear. Keep thy faith in thy Lord, thy Master.
18. (Q) Hattie Trigg.
    (A) Come! Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, Who is thy salvation. Come! Keep thy promises as ye hope that He will keep His promises to thee. Let not doubt nor fear enter, but trust in the Lord.
19. (Q) [2990].
    (A) Of him that hath much, much is required. Be not overzealous nor yet overanxious. For the Lord is in His Holy Temple. Prepare that Temple in thine own body, mind and heart, that He may dwell there - ever.
20. (Q) [3377].
    (A) Keep the way of the Christ ever before thee in thy uprisings, in thy downsettings. For the Lord hath need of thee today in the hearts of many who look to thee for direction. Let thy life, thy conversations, ever point the way to Christ.
21. (Q) [3374].
    (A) Grace and love are virtues in thee. Keep them in such ways and manners that thy life may direct others, though ye speak never a word. For what the body-mind is speaks louder than what people say. Keep the faith.
22. (Q) [3416].
    (A) In the Lord's house are many mansions. In thy mind and heart are many possibilities, many opportunities. Lose not a single one to make known the love that the Master has for the children of men. For He, too, was one of them. So in thy ways of grace and mercy, show forth the Lord's death, the Lord's life, the Lord's love, until He comes again.
23. (Q) May we have a Christmas message from the Master at this time?
    (A) Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. For the Lord is in the Holy Temple - let the earth and those that love the Lord rejoice, that the Father-God in the Christ is mindful of men, and He will not let thy loved ones - nor those with and for whom ye pray - be tempted beyond that they are able to bear. But live daily as ye pray, and pray as ye would have thy brother, the Christ, to praise thy life before the throne of mercy. Show ye mercy and love one to another, then, if ye would have love and mercy shown to thee. For this is the beginning and the end of wisdom.
24. We are through.

REPORTS

1. 7/27/47 Park Place Methodist Church morning bulletin:
   MORNING WORSHIP - 11:00 O'CLOCK
   Let All Bow in Reverent Prayer on Entering the Sanctuary Prelude "Elizabeth's Prayer" (Tannhauser)...........Wagner Call to Worship (Congregation Standing) Invocation Hymn 73 "Be Still, My Soul".......................Sibelius Apostles' Creed - Choral Amen Prayer and Response
   Offertory Anthem "The Heavens Are Declaring".....Beethoven Presentation of Gifts "All Things Come of Thee"..Beethoven (congregation Standing for Hymn) Hymn 298 "Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble".......Sullivan Sermon "Too Much for You"..............Dr. R. Orman Bryant Prayer Hymn 238 "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"..........Knapp Benediction - Chimes Postlude "Cornelius March".......................Mendelson * * * * Organ will play softly while worshipers are seated
   The Spiritual Life Group meets every Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the Young Adult Classroom. They have issued a welcome to any woman of Park Place who is interested in deepening and enriching her spiritual life, to join them in their meetings. Miss Florence Edmonds is the leader of this group.

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