|
Home
Up
| |
"Having
been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus
Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith, having been
baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly
and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in
Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge
and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services
above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly,
as God has prospered us, toward its expenses, for the support of a faithful
and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of
the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the
church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot
unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to
govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently
the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation
of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be
kind and just to those in our employ , and faithful in the service we
promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all
men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each
other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not
needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each
other's joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another's burdens and
sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take
offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of
the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay;
and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the
glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with
some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God's word."
|
