CHURCH COVENANT
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 Savour 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.
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