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, 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 expenses 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 devotion; 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 of, and use of,
intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to shun pornography: 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 one 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.