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CHURCH COVENANT.

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Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to
receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on profes-
sion 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, ordi-
nances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and
regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the
Church, and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the
Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to

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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, back-
biting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use
of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our
efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour.

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 feel-
ing and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but
always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of
our Saviour 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.

This is the Church Covenant taken from Pendleton's "Church Manual."

DECLARATION OF FAITH.

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I. OF THE SCRIPTURES.

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely
inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;
that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth
without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals
the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is,
and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of
Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human
conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

II. OF THE TRUE GOD.

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true
God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah,
the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inex-
pressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor,
confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there
ae three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but
harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

III. OF THE FALL OF MAN.

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law
of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that
holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind
are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by
nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God,
positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just con-
demnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION.

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace;
through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the
appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature,
yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedi-
ence, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;
that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in
heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest
sympathies with divine perfection, he is every way qualified
to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.

V. OF JUSTIFICATION.

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ
secures to such as believe in him is Justification; that Justi-

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fication includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal
life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in
consideration of any works of righteousness which we have
done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by
virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely im-
puted to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most
blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other
blessing needful for time and eternity.

VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION.

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to
all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept
them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that noth-
ing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but
his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the
gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated con-
demnation.

VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION.

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regen-
erated or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a
holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner
above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in
connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary
obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears
in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.

VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH.

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and
also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerat-
ing Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our
guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by
Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession,
and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiv-
ing the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King,
and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

IX. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE.

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, ac-
cording to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and
saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free
agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection
with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sov-
ereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and un-