This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home in Pinewood on Lake Drive, Va. Beach, Va., this 17th day of April, 1932, in accordance with request made by those present.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Minnie & C. A. Barrett, Esther Wynne, Hannah Miller, Florence & Edith Edmonds, M. L. Black, F. M. Freeman, F. Y. Morrow, C. W. & M. L. Rosborough, H. L. & L. B. Cayce, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Sarah Hesson, S. E. McPherson, Eloise Potter, Helen Ellington and Mrs. LeNoir.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 4:40 P. M.
1. GC: You will have before you the group gathered here, and their work on the lesson of FAITH. May we receive at this time guidance in understanding faith, that we may make this lesson a living lesson. You will answer the questions as we ask them.
2. EC: Yes, we have the group as gathered here, as a group, as individuals. In the study of lesson on FAITH, this becomes a living truth as each applies in their experience that gained in meditation and prayer upon that attribute of creative forces, for it in essence IS creative in its active principle in experiences of individuals in their lives. Then, as one applies that as known, is there given the understanding as to that that may increase or enlarge, or make same become living in their experience. Ready for questions.
3. (Q) [413]: What is the comparative extent of my faith, and how may I extend and use it to achieve the most benefit? (A) Just as given, faith is the essence of creative forces within the active force of that of an individual to which they apply themselves in the spiritual activity of their experience. So, in the application of that known to self as an expression of that faith as is manifest in every child of God - that in its active force puts that known into operation - does this grow, expand, or BECOME the basis OF the activities of self in those directions as necessary. As the ensample, or examples, as were given by those patriarchs of old, or as has been experienced in self's own experience, that once awakened to the abilities within self DARE to do for Him that as has been done even for self!
4. (Q) [255]: Staten Island, N.Y.: Should faith healing be included in the teachings of theology? If so, who is best qualified to teach it?
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(A) There has been given by those in the orthodox manner those who SHOULD, THROUGH faith, laying on of hands, anointing with oil, praying over same. There is, in the broader sense, that innate in each individual that may be awakened to those abilities in their activity, are they willing to attune themselves to the laws as pertain to the active forces in self's OWN experience, keeping self unspotted and clean from the world, and KEEPING that that brings according in the body that necessary for its awakening to its own spiritual activity. Who shall do such? Such as are called in their own experience. Knowing that as has been given, to some is given teaching, to others healing, to others ministry, to others on the various forces as are attributes of His love, His force, in a material world. One that is so given, then, let them SANCTIFY THEIR selves, THEIR bodies, THEIR minds, to his FELLOW MAN'S service; for he that lendeth to the Lord covers a multitude of sins.
5. (Q) [115]: Is my faith manifested in my East Indian incarnation sufficient for today? [See 115-1.] (A) Sufficient to the day is the evil or the good thereof. Putting rather in practice that as is known in the present is sufficient to make the growth attain that as MAY be even GREATER MANIFESTED in the present; for that as experience in the various spheres of activity is as the background and the STAYING forces, that through faith, through the promise, all things are brought to remembrance in thy spiritual activity!
6. (Q) [288]: Are my attempts at meditation accomplishing anything outside myself? (A) These are but questionings of self, and questionings of the promises as are given! Might be termed lack of faith in self or the promise, for each thought, each atom, has its own weight as is expended in whatever direction it MAY be guided by the thought of self! To be sure, it ACCOMPLISHES, then, that in self and that outside of self. He that doubteth, then - doubteth self, doubteth Him!
7. (Q) In what position may I best meditate? (A) As has been given, there are given to each their own respective manners, from their varied experiences, as to HOW, as to form. If FORM becomes that that is the guiding element, then the hope or the faith is lost in form! He that made long prayer, or he that not even raised his eyes but smote his breast and said, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" WHO was justified? He that in humbleness of self, humbleness of mind, humbleness of the whole INDIVIDUALITY (LOSING personality in Him) comes; and in WHATSOEVER manner that - whether prone, whether standing, whether walking, or
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whether sleeping - we live, we die, in the Lord.
8. (Q) How can I make my faith more active and worthwhile in the lives of others? (A) By exemplifying it in self; for we individuals are as reflections to others of that we worship in OUR own selves. Let your light so shine that others, seeing their light, may GLORIFY God.
9. (Q) [303]: How can I increase my faith? (A) Continuing to lose self in the thought of Him who is able to make the tiny seed bring forth the great tree. As self is lost in doing HIS biddings does the FAITH grow; for growth is made through the exercising of, the LOSING of, self in Him. In Him, then, as we see the ATTRIBUTES OF the Father in the daily walks of life. By FAITH a cup of water given brings its reward to self, and quenches the thirst of the thirsty. By FAITH a kind word brings that joy to the one spoken to, and to self that knowledge of - in HIS name. Not that it BRINGS to self as a reward, but the REWARD is as of that BROUGHT to self by the act. Great difference!
10. (Q) [404]: In praying, should a prayer be kept up persistently until a definite answer is given, or should one only ask and leave the rest with God? (A) Seek and ye shall find. Know in whom thou hast believed, and believe - in faith - He is able to commit that THOU hast committed unto Him against ANY condition in thine experience. THY will, O Lord, be done - not mine! ASK - leave the result with Him. His promises are sure. "Heaven and earth may pass away, but my promise shall NOT pass away."
11. (Q) [2125]: What is the meaning of the name "Abercrombie" that so often comes to me? (A) An associate of the entity in its activity through its spiritual forces, or those that come WITH its activity in itself.
12. (Q) Please explain further regarding the name Abercrombie. (A) Just as given.
13. (Q) [379]: How can I strengthen my faith? (A) Put that thou hast to the test in thine self. Know that, as it is used, it grows.
14. (Q) [2124]: Please explain more explicitly the following answer to my question (Par. 8-A - Reading of March 6, 1932) [262-13, Par. 8-A]. (A) As the ideal of an entity is set, and the entity knows or gives that activity, or the abilities of its ideal in a given direction, then the use of that as IS in hand as respecting such an ideal strengthens ALL attributes as RESPECTING the ACTIVITIES of same in self. So, as is given,
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use that thou hast in hand, for the more PERFECT understanding comes with the more knowledge of that as is known that may be used in the daily experiences of self.
15. (Q) Can this group aid further in the Lindbergh case? (A) Leave it as it is.
16. (Q) Is there any message for this group at this time? (A) Prepare ye the way for the next lesson, that should come with this - VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING; and as ye meditate, as this: LET VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING BE IN ME, FOR MY DEFENSE IS IN THEE, O LORD, MY REDEEMER; FOR THOU HEAREST THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT IN HEART.
17. We are through.