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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, towards 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 Saviour 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.
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