1895 Church Covenant by J R Graves

1895 Church Covenant

(Probably written by James Robinson Graves)

(W. L. Brown's note: Graves died in 1893, no information is given as to why this covenant may have been written by Graves. A later publishing date would not necessarily discount it being written before but published after his death.)

Thanking God for the light we have received, for the revelation of Jesus which we now enjoy; and hoping that God, for Christ’s sake, has pardoned our sins; and having been baptized on a profession of our faith in Christ Jesus into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; we do, this day, before God and the world, with deep joy and great solemnity, enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.

We therefore covenant and agree, that, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, we will walk together in love and Christian fellowship. We promise to labor for the advancement and final triumph of the church; to sustain her worship by attending the house of God and supporting the ministry; to guard her ordinances, enforce her discipline, and defend her doctrine.

We also pledge ourselves to walk circumspectly in the world; to be honest, just and faithful in our business relations; and, as God may give us help, we promise to live righteous and holy lives.

We further promise to watch over each other in brotherly love; to visit the sick; to pray for each other and the world; to aid the poor and needy, and to perform such other kind offices as may be well pleasing in the sight of God.

Source: Church Book Alphabetically Arranged and Record Book (Louisville, Ky.: Charles T. Dearing, 1895), n. p.