PureInsight | January 13, 2003
[PureInsight.org] Edgar Cayce just wanted to be a photographer and lead a normal life. However, his ability to predict the lives of others kept him from being ordinary. Successful "readings" of people's illnesses early on brought Cayce fame. Al Layne, Cayce's hypnotist, Cayce's father and people who were helped by Cayce's readings hoped he would continue using his ability. Layne said that if Cayce had this kind of ability, then he had the moral obligation to do use it.
Cayce sought help from the Bible. He prayed and discussed it with his family. In the end, he decided to continue with the condition that his abilities could not be used to cause harm to anyone. He was foremost a photographer. In other words, life-readings were only a hobby.
In 1903, Edgar married Gertrude Evans, to whom he had been engaged for five years. His photography studio was prosperous. However, fate is fate and a wish is only a wish. A fire destroyed many of Cayce's prints on consignment, which got him into debt. Half a year later, another fire completely destroyed his studio.
Dr. Ketchum, a physician, heard about Cayce from Layne, and asked for a reading for himself. Dr. Ketchum diagnosed himself as having appendicitis, and he wanted to see if Cayce could see this. However, Cayce gave an entirely different diagnosis and suggested a simple treatment. Dr. Ketchum thought Cayce must be wrong, but when he went to another doctor for a third opinion, Cayce's diagnosis was proven to be correct. From then on, Dr. Ketchum asked Cayce to help him with difficult medical cases.
In 1905, a construction supervisor fractured his leg and kneecap in an accident. Doctors thought he would never be able to walk again. This person found Dr. Ketchum. Cayce suggested what sounded like an unimaginable treatment at the time. He asked Dr. Ketchum to put screws into the patient's knee. Several months later, after following Cayce's prescription, this person recovered completely.
The New York Times published a featured article in its October 9, 1910 issue about Cayce's abilities. After that, many people requested readings.
Fame and the trust of others did not change Cayce's skepticism of his readings. It took two events to change his mind. In 1911, Cayce's second son was born. However, the baby fell ill soon after its birth, and the doctors couldn't do anything about it. Cayce agreed to consult the readings only after the doctors had completely given up hope. This time, he was not able to save his son. He regretted not having used his abilities earlier.
Another disaster struck as Cayce's wife Gertrude Evans also fell ill and steadily worsened. The doctors told Cayce behind Gertrude's back that she was afflicted with tuberculosis and was dying. In those days, there was no cure for tuberculosis. This time Cayce gave a reading for his wife. "Sleeping" Cayce came up with a compound prescription and asked the medication to be mixed with apple brandy and put in a charred oak keg. The doctors thought that such treatments were useless. However, two days after taking the drug, Gertrude's fever diminished. Several months later she had completely recovered.
As more people requested readings, Cayce began to consider building a specialized hospital. However, during the process of looking for a partner, he learned a lesson that is valuable for all of us.
A Texas oilman grew interested in Cayce. It looked good. Cayce would help the oilman find oil reserves and the oilman would help Cayce to build a hospital. However, Cayce's readings on possible oil sites failed again and again. The oilman only wanted money. He was not really interested in building a hospital. The partnership dissolved. Cayce realized that his abilities could not be used for commercial interests.
Cayce picked up photography again in Selma, Alabama. He also opened a Sunday school. In his spare time, he gave readings and his wife Gertrude asked the questions while he "slept." Later, Cayce hired a secretary, Gladys Davis, to write down all the information given in the readings.
Until 1923, Cayce's readings were mostly restricted to the medical field. He didn't know that a completely strange field was opening up in front of him that would deeply affect his faith.
To be continued…
Translated from: http://www.zhengjian.org/zj/articles/2002/12/18/19596.html
