Editorial January 13, 1917 Issue

Decrees and Declarations

Annie M. Knott

From the standpoint of Christian Science, decrees and declarations are very closely related. The dictionaries define decree as "an order from one having authority; a decision," while to declare is "to proclaim; to affirm; to announce." This is illustrated in a most interesting way in the second psalm, where we read, "I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." This statement may be said to be the basis of all treatment in Christian Science, which recognizes the divine decree of man's spiritual sonship and then declares it with such effect that the delusions of mortal mind—whether manifested as sin, disease, or death—are broken as with "a rod of iron," to use the psalmist's words.

A good many persons are ready to admit that it is right and proper to appeal to God for relief from suffering of any sort, but they start with the assumption that the discordant conditions from which they suffer are in some way a manifestation of divine law, and on this basis it would be impossible to free one's self from their power. This is explained by Mrs. Eddy on page 381 of Science and Health, where she says, "Ignorant of our God-given rights, we submit to unjust decrees, and the bias of education enforces this slavery." The trouble with all mankind is the fact that beliefs which have been accepted for ages and which are merely outgrowths of human opinion, are taken to be divine laws or decrees, and a great spiritual illumination is necessary in order to make the distinction between God's law and mortal belief, thus to gain one's freedom in the way pointed out by Christ Jesus.

Now the divine decree has been established throughout eternity; and though earthly kingdoms may disappear in the vortex of mortal discord, the law of God, unlike the vaunted law of the Medes and Persians, can never be set aside. We should, however, understand clearly that the law must first of all be understood, then declared. Even on the human plane law may be said to be inoperative until it is recognized and declared. If we turn to the demonstrations of Christ Jesus as found in the gospels, we shall see that he was continually giving out decisions based upon the divine decrees. When he said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch forth thine hand," it was an order based upon the highest authority; and the same applies to all healing work done through the understanding of Christ, Truth.

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