Reading 254-51

TEXT OF READING 254-51

Text

Date: 9/5/1930 Sex: M ReadingID: 1189

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 5th day of September, 1930, in accordance with request made by those present.

[Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mr. and Mrs. David E. Kahn and L. B. Cayce.]

Time of Reading 4:20 P. M. Eastern Standard Time.

1. GC: You will have before you Edgar Cayce, David E. Kahn, Lucille Kahn, Gertrude Cayce, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Gladys Davis, present in this room, and their relations to the work of the Association of National Investigators, Inc., and to the conditions as are to be brought up at the coming meeting of the Board on September 16th, a notice of which I hold in my hand [See 254-51, Par. R3, R4]. You will give specific advice, guidance and direction to each of these, individually as to their proper attitude and action. You will answer the questions we will ask you regarding these.

2. EC: Yes, we have those conditions as surround the individual association with the Association of National Investigators, Inc., also conditions as regarding contemplated changes as INDICATED in notice. There are MANY conditions as must be considered. The attitude of each should be in keeping with the IDEAL as has been set, or is innately and manifestedly felt in the individuals as RESPECTING the work as is being done by the Association.

3. First, let THIS be as a criterion of activity by each: He, or she, who would - through force - impel another as to way of thinking, or activity, is a tyrant.

4. Then, the conditions as are to be considered at such meeting is to be presented as is viewed from here.

5. Then each, with that given, in keeping with their ideal, act as they ARE directed from within.

6. There being an indebtedness by the Association, under the present conduct or conducting of the work - as manifestedly through the institution, or hospital - same showing a deficiency, and as of an extravagance on the part of those who have been in charge of same, it appears as the burden of the furnishing of capital is upon the shoulders of a few; that it behooves the Association and its trustees to so conduct or alter their charter, or their numbers and activities of trustees, as to insure those furnishing such that the per capita, or the conditions in that of real estate and holdings, be made in such a manner as to prevent loss through the activities of those acting in such a capacity, and that portions of real estate as held by Association be transferred to those so furnishing such capital, as to make same more of an even basis. That the condition to be met. Now meet it!

7. As to the attitudes, these may be only given as advisedly as respecting how each is to react or to conduct their own thought. As has been given, this is the choice, as makes God God - that His creatures are, of their own will, to be made one with the ideal as is set before them, or to conform to ideals as they themselves build. Hence the variations in human experiences - but the heritage of man is self-will. That made one WITH God is creative. That made in opposition is destructive. Ready for questions.

8. (Q) Is the attitude in the issue to be met correct? (A) If it were not correct in the eyes of some, why would it be presented? Then it must be the consideration of each.

9. (Q) What can David E. Kahn do to carry out the principles of the Association and to obtain financial assistance? (A) Seek out those who have - as those that would at present conduct the policies, and through whom the assistance has been had. There be many more who have, through such channels known of, feel, as their own individual experience has given THEM an insight into same, and through THEIR assistance meet the needs as seems fit in their - and in His - hands.

10. (Q) What people in New York should he see first? (A) Danzig, Hofheimer, Stern [GD’s note: Ludwig Stern, NOT Jess Stearn on p.52 THE DOOR TO THE FUTURE 30 yrs. later.], and Moss, and those whom he has been intimately associated with as concerning the varied conditions. The conditions are strained on account of expansions without any legal, or any individual assistance. To show personally that the body is in accord, to say that each month, or each week, I would contribute - through my own self and associates - so much, then seek them and let them - through Kahn - make certain contributions each week, each month then Kahn present same as his, or his and associates, contribution. Then REMAINING, according to the amounts contributed, so much in control. THAT - material way, see?

11. (Q) Should the Board be cut down from its present number of members? (A) This will not be in keeping with the charter as is granted by the State. To be sure, this may be attacked, and there may be much discussion or dissension - but a large Board unwieldy. If worked in accord, THREE people may do much more than fifteen - but if the discord is in those of the three ALSO, then it is much easier reconciled or brought to those of proper activities.

12. (Q) Under existing conditions, what would be the advice for this existing Board? (A) Prepare first to meet the first issue, that of being able to meet the present outstanding indebtedness of the Association, and THROUGH that same be a REPRESENTATIVE of the combined efforts, see? Then there may be the altering or the change, dependent upon that as is demanded, desired, expressed by those aiding in same. A voice should be had by all concerned, but REMEMBER - this is a philanthropic organization, a philanthropic charter, and may be altered or changed to a commercial, or to a stock holding - dependent upon the desire of those so acting.

13. (Q) Should David E. Kahn direct the spending of the funds that he contributes? (A) He should direct as a voice OF the Board that spends same.

14. (Q) Is it right to put the real estate in the hands of those who have contributed money so far? (A) Unless other arrangements can be made to meet these, for there will be a commercial value to a portion.

15. (Q) Should any changes be made in the present Board to make it more harmonious? (A) This has been given. This may or may not be done, dependent upon the manner in which it is handled, and of those individual attitudes towards an ideal - or is it to them JUST an idea?

16. (Q) How should the proposition be presented to the contemplated contributors? (A) That the Association is in that position where it needs that necessary fund to meet the emergencies in the present condition or crisis.

17. (Q) Should Edgar Cayce go to New York with David E. Kahn before this meeting on the 16th of September, to see different parties? (A) First approach them themselves. Then, should it become necessary for a meeting, also THAT should be done. This, understand, is from the material - not from the ideal.

18. (Q) Viewing it from the ideal, what advice? (A) Each should study to show themselves approved unto the ideal which the Association stands for, THAT WE MAY MAKE MANIFEST OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND MAN. [Paraphrasing of 254-42, Par. 17-A of 7/15/28 & 2087-1, Par. 3 of 12/13/29] Then act that way!

19. (Q) Should a reading be given before the meeting for the guidance of all members present? (A) This may be suggested and asked for, and put to a vote of members present.

20. (Q) If some members refuse, then what should be the procedure? (A) Act upon the majority is the rule of the Board. It’s founded upon that of the readings.

21. (Q) Should David E. Kahn have personal attorney with him to answer all questions that may come up? (A) That depends upon that position which the body will occupy, both as to material and as to mental attitude towards conditions. That as is to be presented has been given. That attitude is to be made by self.

22. (Q) Who else can assist in raising finances? (A) Any whom may choose.

23. (Q) What is meant by the material? (A) The physical activities.

24. (Q) Would it be advisable for Hugh Lynn to approach certain parties in New York for financial aid? (A) That depends upon the ideal for which such an approach would be made, whether as to force issue with another or to join in aid as to an ideal.

25. (Q) What has caused this present discord? (A) That as has been outlined, of the extravagant expenditure by the one - or FELT so - in charge.

26. (Q) Does this refer to Edgar Cayce? (A) To Edgar Cayce.

27. (Q) In what way has he been extravagant, specifically? (A) That is judged by individuals. Not from here.

28. (Q) How should Edgar Cayce conduct himself and act regarding this? at the meeting, or any time? (A) Just as has been given for any other one. First study to show self approved unto God, not ashamed of weakness, nor of indifference, nor of those of contempt from others - but able to answer for the faith as is put from within, and keeping self unspotted from the world.

29. (Q) Should David E. Kahn tell proposed donors any of the present conditions, as to the feelings of certain members of the Board? (A) And have them feel that they are buying into already a fuss? Rather that, that as may be contributed is as a gift to that ideal of an individual, and through whom their assistance and aid has come, may come, will come TO those seeking through such channels, and the needs of the hour.

30. (Q) Should Frederick Dietrich and his wife be approached, and through what channel? (A) Approach those who have received that for which they have sought, or who have had an OPPORTUNITY to seek, TO gain. Then seek others.

31. (Q) How should Mrs. Hall be approached? (A) Just as any other to whom assistance or aid has come, or may come.

32. (Q) Should any discussion of the university expenditures and affairs be made at this meeting? (A) No. They are separate. Different corporations. Different status. Different ideals. We are through for the present.

Two copies to Ass’n office Copy to David E. Kahn ” ” Lucille Kahn ” ” Hugh Lynn Cayce ” ” Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Cayce

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 12/5/30 See EC’s letter to Dr. [101] re. changes at Hospital.

R2. 2/5/31 See Blumenthal wire, under 543-6 report, advising EC to admit no one to Cayce Hospital. See subsequent pertinent correspondence under 543-6 Reports.

R3. 9/4/30 W. R. Ashburn’s ltr. to GD:

[GD’s note: Mr. Ashburn had previously picked up the Minute Book from me, as ordered by Mr. Blumenthal.]

W. R. Ashburn Attorney and Counselor at Law Citizens Bank Building Norfolk, Virginia

Miss Gladys Davis, Assistant Secretary Association of National Investigators, Incorporated, c/o Edgar Cayce, 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia

My dear Miss Davis:

I am instructed by Mr. Morton H. Blumenthal to direct you to mail one copy of the inclosed notice [See 254-51, Par. R4] to each member of the Board of Trustees of Association of National Investigators, Incorporated, thereby calling a meeting of that body at Virginia Beach for September 16th, at 10:30 A.M.

You will of course make the requisite number of copies of said notice and sign each copy as Assistant Secretary. These notices must be placed in the Post Office not later than Friday, the 5th of September, and one copy should be sent by registered mail, with return receipt requested, to each of the following persons:

Morton H. Blumenthal Edgar Cayce M. B. Wyrick Edwin D. Blumenthal Gertrude Cayce David E. Kahn Thomas B. Brown Lucille Kahn F. A. Van Patten Gladys Davis Hugh Lynn Cayce Adeline Levy Blumenthal F. F. Bradley

these being all of the members of the Board of Trustees at the present time as shown by the records of the Association. If there are any other members of the Board not so shown please mail them notice also.

I am Yours very truly, [signed] W. R. Ashburn

wra c

R4. 9/4/30 Notice from Morton Blumenthal:

To the Members of the Board of Trustees of

ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL INVESTIGATORS, INCORPORATED:

TAKE NOTICE that on call of the President and a majority of the Board, that a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Association of National Investigators, Incorporated, will be held at the Virginia office of the Corporation, Cayce Hospital, Princess Anne County, Virginia, on Tuesday, the 16th day of September, 1930, at 10:30 A.M. o’clock, for the purpose of transacting any business that might come before a regular meeting of the Board, and for the further purpose of considering the financial affairs of the Corporation, the conveyance or transfer of its real or personal property, either wholly or in part, or the encumbrance thereof; for the consideration of certain leases in contemplation for the Corporation, and for the further purpose of considering an amendment to the charter of the Corporation to provide for two classes of trustees, namely, honorary trustees and active trustees, the honorary trustees to be without voting power, in place of the one class of trustees now existing, and to authorize the officers of the corporation to take such action as may be necessary to carry out the wishes of the Board as expressed and adopted at such meeting.

Dated: September 4, 1930.

[Signed] Gladys Davis Assistant Secretary

[9/6/30 GD’s note: Today I copied the above and mailed the notices as per request of MHB via W. R. Ashburn. [Initialed] G.D.]

R5. 1/19/43 Mr. Thomas B. Brown [Tim Brown]‘s letter from Dayton, Ohio:

Dear Edgar:

Have finished “There is a River” and am glad that I had the privilege of reading it. Sugrue did a fine job. It is known by all occultists, that every individual leading a life of unselfish service for the benefit of humanity, has to go through many trials and sufferings. Your life was no exception to the rule and Sugrue brought out the tragedies in your life very skillfully.

I do not know how the book could have been improved upon. The author made an interesting and excellent portrayal of your life. There were two statements made with relation to reincarnation that were dramatically opposed to each other. On page 248 quoting you knew the gospels well… There was in fact no mention of reincarnation whatsoever… “If reincarnation were a truth, why had Jesus not mentioned it?” And on page 260 you quote the scriptures in which it was shown that John the Baptist was a reincarnation of Elias. You also quote other passages along the same vein. The time in your life was within a few days of each other. This was, the only thing that was not very clear to me, maybe I am getting dense.

I always try to find out the causes underlying events and the lessons to be learned and I still wonder what forces were generated that caused the Hospital to be dissolved. When I look back at the inception of the Hospital and we had the first meeting to seek appropriations and donations, I felt, intuitively, that something was wrong with the method of organization and took this up with Morton. I thought it wiser to start out with a smaller building and to raise all the cost of same before starting to build so that it would be free from any mortgage or lien. I did not think that it was carrying out the spirit or sense of the the Association to have it a one man organization (One man carrying practically the whole financial burden) but that it would be more in order for each member to contribute some proportion, if it were only a dollar or so each month. I always had confidence in Morton, and still have, but as my feelings were so strong in the matter I held up the letting of the contract while I tried to get Morton to accede to my views. Morton was too enthusiastic. The readings said “Make a start” and finally the contract was let and the building got under way.

One summer, after the hospital had been built, there was a meeting at your house at which a young man wanted Morton, Eddie and me to contribute $500.00 per month to help out in the moving of a boys school to Virginia Beach. The next day on our return to New York I told Morton that I did not want anything to do with this and we had all we could do to support the Hospital. Morton gave up the idea of this but after the crash in 1929 he started the University. The backing of this university was the contributing factor to the dissolution of the Hospital. Could the Hospital have survived through the depression years with so large a loan upon it, had Morton not overextended himself, is not the question. There were underlying factors and forces, not apparent to me at this time, that brought about the dissolution. These forces could have been set up in the improper formation of the Association. Other forces not of unselfish service, could have crept in. It could have been the balancing of Karmic forces or many other forces released.

Surely the contributing force in its entirety could not be laid to Morton, it could be buried deeply within the many of us members of the Association. Morton was only the channel of dissolution.

I mention this, not to bring up unpleasant memories, but to try and visualize what we, as individuals, were to learn from this one experience.

I am sure your book will bring a message of steadfastness of purpose, calmness and true brotherhood to the many who will read it,

With kindest regards,

Sincerely, [signed] Tim

R6. 1/25/43 EC’s ltr. to T. Brown:

Dear Tim;-

Thanks for yours of the 19th - appreciate very much your comment on the book - “There is a River.” Yes, think Sugrue did a fine job, just so he didn’t over do it too much.

Think Tom meant to indicate, in the pages you quote from the unfoldment of my mind during that period of turmoil on the subject of whether reincarnation could be a fact or not, or so I took it as read it at the reviewing of copy.

Thanks too for your comment on the happenings regards the Hospital. To be sure have gone over every detail of the happenings in my own mind many times for no one, not even I can ever put into words what that meant to me but put it all down as a very miserable failure on my part, and certainly blame no one else but myself for it failure; am sure every one might find fault with every one else looking at it from their own view point.

But I know Morton and Eddie were sincere in what they did and I certainly could never blame them for anything as happened.

Just Hope that I may some day call them my close friends again, for I loved them as my own closest friends.

Hope all of us associated at the time have grown bigger and better men in the service of God and our love for our fellow man.

Thanking you again and again for your letter - believe the trade edition of the book will be out in Mar. How will the general public take such a book do you think? With kindest regards

Ever the same

Edgar Cayce

Background

Background

B1. See 9/4/30 254-51, Par. R3, R4.

B2. See 254-35, Par. 10-A, answer to question by [900] anticipaing an eventual dissolution of A.N.I.

B3. See correspondence between EC and Messrs. [137], [900], [257], [195], during several months preceding this reading.

B4. Especially see 6/2/30 and 6/16/30 letters from Mr. [137] claiming EC is leaving them out of the work and requesting auditor, LS, to send all bookkeeping records to be handled from N.Y. office.

B5. Especially see [900]‘s letters June-July 1930 indicating his nervous breakdown and inability to participate actively as previously.

B6. See 8/27/30 ltr. of [257] under 900-465 Reports.

Mentioned Entities

Ideal, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), David Kahn, King David, Morton Blumenthal, Gladys Davis, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Reincarnation, Thomas Sugrue, New York City, Purpose, Virginia Beach, Gertrude Cayce, Book of Job, Jess Stearn, Cayce Hospital, Dayton Ohio, Elijah, Free Will, Jesus Christ

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 254-51, ReadingID 1189.