Reading 254-57

TEXT OF READING 254-57

Text

Date: 6/1/1931 Sex: M ReadingID: 1195

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 1st day of June, 1931, in accordance with request made by self - Edgar Cayce, and those interested.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. L. B. Cayce and Thomas House.]

Time of Reading 12:00 Noon - Eastern Standard Time.

1. GC: You will have before you the problems as confront the work of Edgar Cayce and those interested in same, especially the conditions and circumstances in connection with the organization meeting to be held June 6, 1931 at Virginia Beach, Va. You will outline form of government, size of board to be selected at this time, size of executive board, and choice of manager. You will answer the questions which will be asked concerning these:

2. EC: Yes, we have conditions as present themselves at the present time. That these become problems is a matter of development as respecting individuals’ REACTIONS to conditions. That the work, or activities of the phenomena, is to at this time take a physical form as to an organization - given a name which in itself makes for metes and bounds - is sure, as has been given. That these should be problems is the WRONG attitude in its inception, yet to the finite mind, to the material conditions, these DO become problems, for there are physical reactions that are apparent in the working of those suggestions as have been or as may be made from time to time, and there are individuals’ reactions to these suggestions. To others those become problems.

3. As has been outlined, those that are interested, those that OFFER themselves as CHANNELS for the propagation of, for the DISTRIBUTION of information as may be given, these are first, as has been outlined, to determine as to whether that as is to be given is to pertain to the MATERIAL life or the spiritual life.

4. In coming into existence as an organization in a material world, it is necessary that there be that which represents MATERIAL values, the EXCHANGE in material affairs, yet ALL should - WOULD this be made a HELPFUL organization, institution, active - have THIS realization: that it MUST be founded upon that that is LIVING, that is truth, that grows, that expands, that brings hope, cheer, LIFE itself into the minds, the hearts, the souls of individuals. True, the MATERIAL things - the things that are easily besetting to man, in making his life MISERABLE, LITTLE, UNCLEAN, uncouth - must be touched, but those who would govern, or those who would MINISTER, MUST NOT become slime BY that touch, else UNCLEAN must be the cry from without and FROM WITHIN!

5. In the touch, then, the contact with material things, they must be as a means, and NOT an END! for, as has been given, “Seek the Lord while He may be found and ALL these things will be added unto you”. What things? Those material conditions that are called fame, fortune, well spoken of, esteemed in high places - but these are the easily besetting things. Let them not be the BASIS of ANY activity, whether as a means or a channel, or a connection; for, as has been said, MAN must make his will one with Creative Forces - God! for GOD gives the increase, and His favor, His face, shines upon the just and the unjust ALIKE - when considered from MAN’S viewpoint, but God has chosen the WEAK things, those uncomely things, to BECOME the GLORIFIED in the use among men, WILL the heart be kept aright!

6. Then, in choosing, in selecting, in forming the organization, the basis of same must be in accordance with the PHYSICAL law - but render unto the State that which is the STATE’S and unto God that which is God’s!

7. In the NUMBERS chosen, these HAVE been given - that it SHOULD be a REPRESENTATIVE form of government, with a chairman of board of trustees, and secretary, and a treasurer. Make these separate! See?

8. In the beginning, choose at least two-thirds of the number. Fifteen to seventeen individuals. Do not select, do not choose individuals that are incapable - no matter WHAT their desire - to ATTEND meetings when called; but rather have individuals at a distance as official REPRESENTATIVES, and acknowledged so, accepted BY them, and as OFFICIAL in the meeting in the beginning! Such as the Western, and the Eastern, as the Southern, as the Central, or at a great distance - see?

9. Then, in choosing the ACTIVE board, or that of the OFFICIAL activities - the rest, then, becomes rather as a matter of judicial activity from within the organization itself. Determine the aims and purposes. The purpose must be other than the glorifying of an individual’s abilities, an individual’s gifts, an individual’s wishes or desires - but rather that individuals may become, through that cooperation of others, a greater channel for BLESSINGS, and the BLESSINGS coming from GOD!

10. In THIS manner, then, begin! Ready for questions.

11. (Q) What should be the size of the executive board? (A) Seven to nine.

12. (Q) Please advise us as to the best way of solving the problem of the selection of a manager, and who would be suggested under the existing circumstances? (A) This has been spoken of at length, as to what MUST be the qualifications of such an individual, also as to the necessity of such an one being AMONG the first chosen, and he chosen rather for his FITNESS than for the APPARENT concurrent association with individuals. That qualification sincerity of purpose and of consecration of self, self’s life, self’s activities, to GOD! NOT to ANY man or any group of men, nor to money, nor to position, nor to any cism, nor to any ism - but to GOD! Such as we have in the PRESENT - as has been said, they must OFFER themselves - as Ady, Jones or Preston, are they able to drink the cup, as has BEEN given - see?

Now, in the lists that have been suggested as representatives or trustees - all PRESENT at such a meeting may be asked to put THEIR SIGNATURE to an application for charter, see? Then, beginning with such as that list as has been suggested - Walsh - Kahn - Levy - Danzig - Zentgraf - Barrett - Kaufman - Scattergood - the list as we have here, see - and these we would select, but we would not insist upon ANYONE BEING in such a position! The desire must be from them! as WELL as from those who would be the active board, see?

There would, in the administration, as we find, be these features particularly added:

Two classes of membership. Each year one period of fifteen days as a meeting of all members, all representatives, WHEREVER they may be located, at Virginia Beach, with the reports made by representatives or interpreters from the various portions of the country, as well as speakers that would RENEW the faith, confidence, purposes, aims, of the work itself. That period would, or - as we find - better better be set from June 15th to July 1st inclusive, see? A.R.E. Congress] We would also, in the classes of membership, have every individual that subscribes as a YEARLY member - (and all would be yearly members) no trustee for more than two years, except in the first group half that are named will be replaced or re-elected at the meeting which begins June 15, 1932, see? and so on, the next year the same. Those of the ACTIVE ones - that is, the MANAGERS, as may be termed - all trustees should sign all papers, see, of transfer or for anything, see? The treasurer should remain in one NOT a member of the board, as should all the officers - save that as chairman. Wherever a MONEY of any NATURE is paid an active worker, NOT a member of the board! You want to be able to fire him or hire him whenever you want to! Unless the work is done properly, unless each branch of same is conducted in such a manner that it IS self-supporting there’s something wrong with it - get it out of the way! Keep in a pure heart, and PERFECT understanding.

13. (Q) What of the two classes of membership? (A) Just been given! One that wants something right now and doesn’t care for anything more! One that is interested and wants to keep on!

14. (Q) The trustees and the executive board as was selected - (A) Get it and read it, and we’ll see! You have it in the drawer here! with the blue book!

15. (Q) Which drawer? (A) Under the check book! [GD went into the next room, got the list, gave it to GC and she continued]

16. (Q) Should all on the following list Kahn - (A) You left out the first one! Commence over!

17. (Q) Walsh - Kahn - Levy - Danzig - Zentgraf - Stern - (A) Leave off! REPRESENTATIVE - official representative!

18. (Q) Harrell - (A) Official representative!

19. (Q) Jones - Lawrence - Barrett - Edmonds - Wynne - Scattergood - Kaufman - Cayce - McChesney - Taylor. Should any be added to this? (A) As has been given, official REPRESENTATIVES appointed at the same time - as Taylor in Frisco, as Crews in Chicago, Mohr in Columbus, Dr. Farrand in Columbus, Kunz in Dayton, Brown in Cincinnati, House in Kentucky, Taylor in Selma, Evins in Birmingham, Cohn in Birmingham or Ensley, Ladd in New York, Kirk in Philadelphia, Cravis in Atlantic City, Robinson in Boston; choosing foreign lands in the same way and manner.

20. (Q) Are the following the ones that may be on the executive board? (A) When this board first as has been selected here as trustees - and then the TRUSTEES should SELECT their own chairman, but don’t let him be a Jew! In the selection of the manager, same may be a Jew - if so desired.

21. (Q) Should the trustees select the executive board? (A) Those should be chosen in the formation, in the beginning, as would be the legal representative. As the legal representative already chosen, is efficient [Lester S. Parsons] - hardly as spiritual minded as such a one should be, but very good to make SOMETHING in the life of the individual! Be an aid to each individual contacted, in their respective spheres, for the contact with the phenomena makes sons better sons, daughters better daughters, husbands better husbands, and wives better wives, and mothers better mothers, lawyers BETTER lawyers, thieves worse thieves, liars bigger liars - It’s BOUND to! If it’s life itself it IS a growth, no matter in which direction it is turned it will GROW! Do not be among those UNSEEMLY!

22. (Q) The ones selected on the executive board, should any of these be left out or any added? Kahn, Kaufman, Barrett, Jones, Cayce, Walsh, Lawrence. (A) Taylor.

23. (Q) Taylor should be added? (A) Taylor should be added.

24. (Q) Which Taylor? (A) Taylor that’s last added on the trustees!

25. (Q) Dr. Job Taylor? (A) Dr. Job Taylor!

26. (Q) Any other advice at this time? (A) Much may be given! We have given what you are asking for! We are through for the present.

Copy to Edgar Cayce ” ” File

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 1/8/43 She wrote: “The only reason [853] called you was because the mails have been so delayed, and I really was in a serious condition. However, I felt safer after [853] talked to you, because I knew you would pray for me, and that God answers the prayers of those who do His will, and I knew you did.

“Was able to follow all of the rdg. except the Ventriculin

• just got that yesterday. Am taking two doses per day, since it said take all I could absorb. So instead of taking the little measuring cup 3/4 full at one time, I divide it. It has already helped marvelously. For two days my veins had been like a bruise, and then sharp pains would shoot in them. I had one more pain after the first dose of Ventriculin, and the strain on my heart has been so much less today. Am truly getting better. Am still lying down most of the time. [853] stayed with me Sat. and Sun. He has been such a big help.

“I appreciate your giving me that rdg. more than any words can express. Mr. Cayce, you are truly the ‘biggest’ person I have ever known. ‘Selfless’ at all times, for everybody.

“It seems there is so little I can do for you, so now, in gratitude, I am dedicating myself to meditate for you at 10:30 and 3:30 every day when you give the rdgs. If it will do any good, I’ll be so glad…

“What has impressed me so often, so far, in your book, is that science can’t measure your work, any more than it can God’s love. It has no limits or boundaries, therefore it can not be catalogued. And since your work is of God, it just meets a need, that’s all - just depending upon that need. It seems so merciful.”

R1. 6/11/31 Letter from EC to Mr. [2504], a former patient of Cayce Hospital:

”…We had our organization meeting last Saturday. There were sixty or more present. Not a great many from New York - Mr. Kahn, Mr. and Mrs. Levy, Mr. and Mrs. Zentgraf, and a Mr. Cravis from Atlantic City. The rest of them were from Norfolk and vicinity, and North Carolina and Washington, D.C. Mr. Lester S. Parsons of Norfolk is the attorney. We have an application for charter for the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. Mr. H. H. Jones, commercial agent for the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, is president. The trustees are: Dr. Paul Kaufman, Dave Levy, Dave Kahn, Hugh Lynn, my father, Miss Esther Wynne, Miss Florence Edmonds, Mr. C. A. Barrett, Dr. McChesney, Dr. Job Taylor, Jerome Danzig, Mrs. Walsh, Dr. Scattergood, Mr. Zentgraf, Mr. F. D. Lawrence (vice-president of American National Bank of Portsmouth) and H. H. Jones. We are also to have official representatives in various parts of the country, to whom individuals may appeal for aid in obtaining a reading, also in understanding the information as may be given when they get the reading. These will no doubt be from coast to coast, where people have expressed themselves as willing to be official representatives of the Association. Mildred Davis is secretary, Mr. Shroyer is treasurer, and Mr. A. C. Preston is business manager. It was quite an enthusiastic group. Of course, there will be an executive committee, and it will be principally composed of local people. Later we will have an Executive Board of the Trustees, who will be able to meet at least three or four times a year. The trustees’ meeting is to be from June 15th through July 1st every year. Congress meets at that time, as it were, of the Association. Quite noteworthy that we have people in all walks of life - a very, very representative group of people, if I am any judge. Of course, the by-laws committee was appointed, which is composed of Dr. Brown, Hugh Lynn, Jones, Dr. Kaufman, Dr. Scattergood, and Mr. Lawrence. More of this we can have in detail for you when our charter is granted, and when they have had this meeting. They had an official meeting - the trustees - that is, so far as they themselves were concerned

• of course, it was not official with the State, but they wanted to get themselves on record as commencing to do something at once. Just what departments, or branches of the work as begun in the old organization, I do not know. Parsons is very anxious that someone on the old board make a howl about the property, but we all feel rather loath to cause a wrangle about anything, even though we feel we have been mistreated. There’s a hotel there now - Prince Henry. The grounds look very, very good - the shrubbery and the flowers wonderful - but they show that they haven’t been taken care of as they were when you were there. The tennis court is in bad shape. So far as I know, though I haven’t been there in the last few days, the bulkhead is in good shape. A man by the name of Banks has the hotel. You may have seen this in the local paper. He is a brother, I believe, of the man who has charge of the Princess Anne Country Club. They may be able to throw business in each other’s hands. There is someone, though, I know of, that has an option on the property until the first of October…”

R2. 6/12/31 Extract from William B. Cravis’ letter:

“The moving pictures turned out elegant. The ones of the meeting were exceptionally good! I know you’ll like them.”

R2. 1/14/43 She wrote: “Am getting a little stronger every day. Just able to walk around, though. Not able to go out yet.

“Am following every detail in the rdg., and you know that brings results…

“I must tell you this. You told me once in a rdg., when you said I could be well in from three to five weeks, that at the end of that time further information should be given me regarding my diet, as I should not then have concentrated iron, as the body-forces would respond so rapidly that concentrated iron would clot the blood. Well, in this last rdg. it gave ‘plain Ventriculin’ instead of Ventriculin with iron. Had you thought of that? That change has certainly changed my attitude about getting well soon. I just feel like the whole universe is rejoicing, and that I am a part of that joy, instead of standing off and watching others rejoice, as I have felt so often during these past years. Regardless of how I acted, down inside of me I felt crushed.

That feeling has gone. I am so grateful. This whole rdg. has given me so much hope. I thank you for everything.”

R3. 6/23/31 GD’s letter to Mrs. [903] re. conditions following the closing of the Hospital - Morton Blumenthal demanding that EC and family vacate the premises - or house in which they were living, etc. - also GD’s suggestion of “friends of EC” arranging to make a permanent home available for EC, etc. See similar letter, complete, 6/25/31, under 1734-2 Reports.

R3. 3/17/43 She wrote [see under 264-56 in detail]: “I am SO MUCH better now.”

R4. 4/26/43 She wrote: “Every day I feel like I must apply what I have learned - I must serve - or I will explode.”

R4. 7/7/31 Extracts from Certificate of Incorporation of ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.

ARTICLE III. PURPOSES: The purposes for which the said corporation is organized are as follows:

To conduct and carry on psychic and scientific research, including physical, educational, psychic and social investigations, and to conduct medical research, general hospital work, establish hospitals, schools and sanatoriums for consultations with reference to suggestions for the cure of, psychic treatment of, and psychic study of, disease of any and all kinds, and for medical and surgical aid, treatment and care of persons sick, deformed or suffering from bodily injuries; to assist and train suitable persons as nurses for the sick, and to conduct departments of the said corporation in research and study, aid and conduct hospitals, camps, physical training schools, mechanical laboratories and plants, lectures, schools, publications, history and archaeology, investigation of psychic phenomena, the giving and interpreting of psychic readings; philosophical study; to study or engage in community welfare work, conduct of study groups and classes for economic development, physical, medical and social clinics, libraries, endowments, charity and study courses, and any and all other class or kind of activity or work allowed under Chapter 151 of the Code of Laws of Virginia and any and all work incidental or necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of the said corporation.

The said corporation shall have power to collect fees for the treatment and services rendered from those who are able to pay for the same, which shall be used for the maintenance and incidental expenses of the corporation and the advancement of its purposes, but shall not be used for private gain, and wherever desired to render free service where the persons needing the services of the said corporation are unable to pay such fees or expense.

The purposes of the said corporation are to be philanthropic and benevolent and it is not organized for profit. It may accept donations, endowments or gifts from such persons as may desire to aid and assist the said corporation in its work

R5. 5/5/43 “I had a cold after I reached here [N.Y.] and lost the ten lbs. I had gained in D.C. It is so difficult to get nourishing food here [eating out].”

R5. 7/9/31 Letter from EC to [779]: ”…So far I have not been able to make an appointment even for a reading, on account of circumstances and the crosses that have been between Mr. Blumenthal and myself. It has been necessary for us to move from the 34th Street house, and we are now occupying the place that I had hoped to see you living in last Fall - 105th Street [re-numbered to 67th Street and ocean], right in front of the hospital. To see it used as a hotel, if there is a great deal of sentiment, you must know what it means to be in such an environment and not be able to help yourself. In some ways, I guess I’ve had about as tough a deal as anybody could. Possibly I have had it coming to me, or it wouldn’t have come…”

R6. 8/8/31 See 311-5, Par. 3-A—8-A in re work of A.R.E.

R6. 5/19/43 She wrote: “We are going to be transferred back to D.C. am going to N.C. Sat. to be with Father and Mother…and I will stay there as long as they need me.” [See subsequent notations under Life Rdg. 264-31.]

R7. 8/9/31 Letter from William Cravis to EC: ”…Edgar, I think it is vitally important that you be in N. Y. for the 18th to the 20th of this month. Preston, no doubt will tell you about it, but I want to implore you to be sure and come and as Preston also will no doubt tell you - do not let anyone know you are coming until after you arrive here. I think we are on the verge of actually doing something and I want to be sure that we are doing them in the proper manner. I think your visit will produce some far-reaching results and am looking to your prompt response, telling me you’ll be here…”

R7. 10/21/43 Mrs. […] wrote: “I have known [264] for years and she is stronger and feels better this summer than she has in yrs. I am sure you can help me, too [with my little daughter, [3603]].”

R8. 8/12/31 Letter from EC to William Cravis: ”…I understand Mr. Preston has made the arrangements for us to be there Friday and Saturday…”

R8. 12/4/43 She obtained Ck. Physical 264-58.

R9. 9/7/31 Letter from EC to Mrs. [325]: Re his visit to Kentucky and re new organization, manager sick, various set-backs, etc.

R10. 9/7/31 Letter from William Cravis to EC: ”…Edgar, I am trying to have a meeting with Mr. Zentgraf, Dave Kahn, Dave Levy and myself and possibly Mr. Danzig, for this Thursday. At that time I hope to get some definite idea of things in general. I have been so terribly busy… Of course, Mr.

Preston’s illness has been a heavy strain and drain upon me financially. I’ve spent over $700 for him so far and he is due to be in the hospital at least a couple more weeks! If it weren’t for Mr. Zentgraf I never would have been able to keep up with that pace. He has put up dollar for dollar with me and has been very nice about it. Of course, we both expect to be repaid for this and we are of the opinion that the Association should be able to get into a position whereby it can help Preston until he gets on his feet and have it come back as the work goes along. It really isn’t right for Mr. Zentgraf and myself to have to bear that burden. Now I know that things are not just right with you and it distresses me right now, not to be able to help in the way I’d like to. Am hoping after this meeting Thursday that we will be able to do something definite and tangible. If it is a matter of immediate necessity - Edgar, wire me…”

R11. 9/15/31 Letter from William Cravis to EC: ”…Within another week or two we expect to move Preston back to the hotel and then possibly he will be able to do a little work from his room. I am very sorry, but I had looked to see you around the 9th. It seems that the period beginning about the October 11th - 18th will be the best time. Mr. Zentgraf thought that those dates would be better because by that time everyone should be back in N. Y. and ready to settle down to business. On reconsideration I feel the same way. Having you come up now would involve a great expense without having the assurance that we could do the most good. I would like to have your reaction in the matter… Let me know how you feel about it.

…Are there any checks there for the Ass’n which are not being put to use? If so, forward them to me, if you want, and I will have Preston sign them and return to you…”

R12. 9/19/31 See 311-6, Par. 4-A—14-A in re A.R.E. work.

R13. 9/25/31 Letter from EC to Mrs. [325] re. Preston being sick: ”…Campaign program seemed to stop the interest from the outside…making things rather serious for us, but it will work out, I’m sure…”

R14. 9/26/31 See 257-73, Par. 12-A through 16-A re. legal entanglements of Mr. [257] connected with Cayce Hospital dissolution.

R15. 10/6/31 Letter from EC to Mr. [2504]: ”…As you no doubt know, Mr. Blumenthal asked for the house where we lived. It was perfectly alright, if he hadn’t just plain lied about it - that I just dislike in anyone; but we moved three months ago to the Wright Cottage on the ocean in front of the old hospital. Mr. Banks, a brother of the man who runs the Princess Anne Country Club, had the hospital building this summer and ran it as a hotel - the Prince Henry Hotel. No doubt you have heard this from others. Apparently he didn’t succeed, as I understand there’s quite a stir-up since he closed on Labor Day - and the place has been in the hands of some of the officers.

“The other trustees have brought action, putting everyone on notice that the title to the property is shadowed by claims. Just what disposition Judge White will make of it, of course is to be seen…

“We are starting - in the group [See [262] and [281] series]

• a work that I think has been very sadly neglected, but it’s only recently that we have been able to get enough of those - whom I believe have the right feelings about it - to combine their efforts. This is the spiritual healing group, composed of a very good circle. They haven’t begun their actual work yet, but we hope to have a meeting next week that will start the work on the way. I would love for you to have the advantage of that! While you may rest assured that you have the prayers of each and everyone of these, I feel that He has promised, ‘If two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them,’ and I feel that He is faithful to do that which is best for the individuals, in the things that may be applied physically and mentally, for their health as well as their happiness in every respect; though we recognize He knows best and He doeth all things well.

“The organization has had rather a setback in the last few weeks. Something like two months ago Mr. Preston (who was the manager) went to New York to confer with some members of the Board there, was taken quite ill and has been in the hospital until just recently. He is up now but hasn’t come back to the Beach yet; not able to be out. This has hindered the work in getting those things started that were his part of the job, or thought so at least by the Board who laid out the plans.

“We are keeping fairly busy, and are having some very wonderful reports from many very stubborn cases…”

R16. 6/15/77 Talk given by GD during Congress Week 8:00 P.M. in A.R.E. Auditorium:

GD’s HISTORY/PERSPECTIVES/SUGGESTIONS ON E.C.F. AND A.R.E. FOR YEARS 1931-1946.

To give the history of the E.C.F. and the A.R.E. I could start at the beginning of Edgar Cayce’s work, when he gave the first reading in March 1901. Or I could start in September 1923 when I went to work for him. But to be as brief as possible I will start in February 1931 when the Cayce Hospital closed, the A.N.I. dissolved, and the A.R.E. began first as a thought form.

Edgar Cayce wrote letters to all those who had stood by him through the years, who had been active or who had shown interest in his work - the oldest contacts and the newest. He called for a pre-organization meeting in March 1931 to decide whether or not the work should continue, whether or not there should be an organization at all, whether or not he should give up “the work” entirely.

It was a grand meeting. People came from everywhere and assured him that they wanted him to continue. The A.R.E. was named through the reading and the purposes outlined. A very broad charter was applied for and granted, the A.R.E. receiving its certificate of incorporation on July 7, 1931. We tried to make sure that the same thing wouldn’t happen to A.R.E. as to A.N.I., that the organization WOULD survive. [See 254-52 through 254-58, including pertinent Reports, under 3/31 through 7/31.]

An agreement was set up with Edgar Cayce by which he would give readings for A.R.E. members and be paid a salary. He would retain his copies of the readings as he had always done. A business manager would relieve him of all responsibility in connection with the business details. The concern was to keep the A.R.E. alive and to protect Edgar Cayce in his work. Some of the Board members began to discuss the necessity of setting up an Edgar Cayce Foundation to assure the continuance. You will see references to this in the Work Readings ([254] series), in the A.R.E. Minutes the Board discussions, and in the Newsletters to members. In May 1933 a Cayce Foundation dinner meeting was held in New York, and in 1935 the Board appointed a committee to plan the establishing of the Foundation to preserve the A.R.E. and the work of Edgar Cayce, even after he had gone. We had wonderful people on the Board.

The contract with Edgar Cayce was renewed year after year and it was in effect at the time he died, January 3, 1945. Hugh Lynn was overseas. Edgar Evans was stationed in California, having returned to the States in time to see his father before he died. The Executive Committee of the Board rallied around. A meeting was held once a month, sometimes once a week. The June Congress was held in 1945, and three new members were added to the Board. Prior to that time, until Edgar Cayce died, individuals had to be approved in a reading before being put on the Board. Hugh Lynn, the A.R.E. Manager, would secure a reading to question about each person whose name had been submitted by the voting A.R.E. members. This approval had been written into the Bylaws as being necessary.

Two of the three new board members, elected at that 1945 board meeting, were very interested in psychic phenomena but did not have much background in the Edgar Cayce work. There was a long discussion, led by one of the new members, about how that when a great spiritual leader dies his work so often becomes crystallized or static; that there are arguments about it and the followers divide into groups or factions, so as to have two or three claiming that they are the right one. The new board member continued:

“This man Edgar Cayce is gone - he can’t give any more readings. There is no reason for A.R.E. Why not dissolve it by selling off all the readings to a university or a psychic research organization?”

The oldtimers on the Board were horrified at the very idea of discontinuing A.R.E. We KNEW that the work should continue, and that it WOULD. The promise had been made in the readings over and over again. [See especially 262-3, 294-185 besides the entire [254] series on the work.]

Hugh Lynn returned home in November 1945. On January 19, 1946 the regular semi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the Town Hall Club, 123 West 43rd St., New York, N.Y., Room A, for the purpose of considering “every phase of the program affecting the whole future of the Association.” At that meeting Douglas T. Johnston, a charter member of the A.R.E. Board, an investment counselor in New York City, again advised the forming of a separate organization whose primary purpose would be to preserve the readings and their integrity; to have custody and to make them available in a proper way through qualified organizations and individuals, primarily through the A.R.E. as a membership organization but also through any other source that could present them or research them in the ways the readings on the work had outlined that they should be used. Douglas T. Johnston made this motion and Rudolph Johnson, attorney, of Dallas, Texas, seconded it, and it was unanimously passed.

So that’s how the Edgar Cayce Foundation came into being. The legal heirs to the Edgar Cayce legacy of readings, accompanying correspondence, reports, memorabilia and records of whatever nature pertaining thereto, had then the job of making application to turn the E.C.F. into a legal entity.

Thus only could the A.R.E. continue to function in accord with its charter as it had done while Edgar Cayce was alive. On December 10, 1946 Hugh Lynn Cayce wrote a three-page report on the Foundation to the A.R.E. members (see in date sequence under Appendix) [See 254-116, Par. R16], in which he included this statement in item one (1) on page one:

“I LIKE TO THINK OF THESE THREE - THE ASSOCIATION [we had not yet begun to call it A.R.E.], THE PUBLISHING COMPANY AND THE FOUNDATION - AS THE MIND, BODY, AND SOUL OF OUR OVER-ALL PROGRAM TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE RECORDS AND THE INSPIRATION OF EDGAR CAYCE’S WORK WHICH BASICALLY WAS THE BRINGING TO MEN EVERYWHERE A GREATER AWARENESS OF THEIR REAL NATURE AND PURPOSE HERE.” [GD’s italics [caps]]

R17. 12/8/83 GD’s note in re 254-57, Par. 20-A: It has just occurred to me, after all these years, that the reason for not having a Jew as Chairman of the Board was to prevent David E. Kahn from being chosen for that particular position [though he would have been o.k. as Mgr.]. You see, for years afterward, David Kahn and Morton Blumenthal were in legal battles, each suing the other. Dave had given the furniture for the hospital, besides contributing monthly to the upkeep, etc., just as Morton, Edwin, Tim, Mr. Bradley, etc. He objected to turning over all assets to Morton. The “Forces” foresaw problems with Dave as Chairman of the new A.R.E., involving it in his personal battle with the Blumenthals.

Background

Background

B1. Subject of reading 254-57 - “WORK: re A.R.E. organization meeting to be held 6/6/31 at Va. Beach.”

Mentioned Entities

A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Purpose, David Kahn, Morton Blumenthal, Book of Job, Hugh Lynn Cayce, New York City, Ventriculin, Cayce Hospital, Ohio, Virginia Beach, Alabama, Atlantic Ocean, Healing, Kentucky, Prayer, Soul, Texas, California, Chicago

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 254-57, ReadingID 1195.