|
Having given ourselves to God, by faith in Christ,
and adopted the Word of God as our rule of faith and practice, we now give
ourselves to one another by the will of God in this solemn covenant.
We promise, by His grace, to love and obey Him in
all things, to avoid all appearance of evil, to abstain from all sinful
amusements and unholy conformity to the world, from all sanction of the use and
sale of intoxicating beverages, and to "provide things honest in the sight
of all men."
We agree faithfully to discharge our obligations in
reference to the study of the Scriptures, secret prayer, family devotions, and
social worship; and by self-denial, faith, and good works endeavor to
"grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ."
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves
together for church conferences, public worship, and the observance of the
ordinances of the Gospel; nor fail to pay according to our ability for the
support of the church, of its poor, and all its benevolent work.
We agree to accept Christian admonition and reproof
with meekness, and to watch over one another in love, endeavoring to "keep
the unity of the Spirit" in the bonds of peace, to be careful of one
another's happiness and reputation, and seek to strengthen the weak, encourage
the afflicted, admonish the erring, and as far as we are able, promote the
success of the church and of the Gospel.
We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred
and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief
business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society, constantly
praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on
earth as it is in heaven.
To this end we agree to labor for the promotion of educational
and denominational enterprises, the support of missions, the success of Sunday
schools, and evangelistic efforts for the salvation of the world. And may the
God of peace sanctify us wholly, and preserve us blameless unto the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
|