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 Ghost, 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, holiness, and
comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to
the support of the ministry, the expense of the church, the relief of the poor
and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We
also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our
children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk
circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our
engagements and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting
and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as
a beverage; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our
Savior.
We
further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each
other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate
Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take
offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our
Savior to secure it without delay.
We
moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as
possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of
this covenant and the principles of God's Word.