Edgar Cayce A.R.E. Dove with Olive Branch

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“My Work with the Association” by Edgar Cayce

The following article included in the report document for reading 254-87 was based on a lecture given by Edgar Cayce on June 27, 1935 at the Southland Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia at the opening meeting of the Fourth Annual Congress of A.R.E.

Many have asked me, “Why do you have an Association?; What is its value? What does it have to do with your work?”

The Association has nothing whatsoever to do with my work, save making it possible for the individual to have the information which comes through me as a channel. How? Through cooperation! Those who have studied the lessons prepared by our Norfolk Group No. 1, know what cooperation means. Cooperation! When individuals work together towards something worth while, we have strength.

I feel that my work in relation to the Association can be compared to a portion of the history in the Old Testament. When the children of Israel organized themselves under the direction of their leader, with individuals who were to act as the interpreters, two individuals–Nadab and Abihu–did not cooperate. They were destroyed. It is the same with a work of this nature. Unless the application is in sincerity it will destroy the individual tampering with it.

The Association may honestly correlate the individual findings which have been good and present them to others; thus assisting the individuals who seek through this source not only to aid themselves but to aid others in gaining an understanding for themselves.

Do not get the idea that the Association is trying to revolutionize the world; or that it is entirely different from or better than that which anyone else has. As I understand the purpose of the Association, it is like this: If one individual during the past year has been aided in finding his relationship to God, then indeed the Association has been a marvelous success. On the other hand, if this has not been done, then, it has been a failure – no matter how many members it may have or how great an outward show it may make.

The Association stands on the results individuals receive. The results speak for themselves, and also for the Association.

Last month I sent out a letter to each member of the Association, asking the question,

“Has the Association meant anything to you during the past year? If it has, say so. If it has not, say so.” We received a great many answers. One of them reads something like this: “I received some literature from the Association when I was ready to destroy myself. The help that has come through you and the Association, not only for myself but for my little girl, has meant everything to me. And most of all I have again found my God”.

That is my affiliation with the Association. My mission, if I know it at all, is to help individuals find their relationship to the Creator. If it is necessary for some to find Him through the cure of physical ills, then we must work towards that. For, as the Great Teacher said, “Whether it is easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?”

The cause of illness is sin. Anything which separates us from that within which makes us alive is sin. So, all forms of healing–whether through physicians of the various schools, or through spiritual healing direct from the One Source–are to enable us to find our relationship to Life itself; that is, God.

One individual in seeking information through a reading sometime ago was given something like this: “To help you to physical strength without enabling you to find yourself would, with your frame of mind, cause you to be worse off than you now are; because you have cursed your God, because you do swear against everything that is holy.” So, unless we can get to the seat of the matter and help an individual to change his mental attitude towards his One Source of supply, little aid may come–regardless of what channel he uses.

For, “Many will say in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” What does He mean?

Unless we are sincere with ourselves, with our associates, we are building such a barrier in our consciousness as to keep us trotting back to this earth plane for ages and ages to come!

Then, my connection with the Association is to enable me to cooperate with those who sincerely seek to find the best that is within themselves, and their relationship to the Creative Forces that are alive within and about us everywhere.

That is our whole purpose, aim and desire. You who are members of this organization, and who have read the article on our Ideal and Purposes, are finding this true.

Not to the hordes and masses do we present this work; it never has been so with a work of this nature and never will be – only to those who seek. Here a little, there a little; line upon line, precept upon precept – it is the only way.

Let us not worry about what others are doing, apparently in opposition to our purpose; but let us look rather to what we ourselves are doing in relation to our purpose. If we fulfil our purpose to the best of our ability, then others – seeing – will take hope also.

Life in abundance is ours; if we will only take hold on it.