Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/163

Rh who may remove to the vicinity of another church of the same denomination, to unite with that church without delay.

Voted, That the Covenant he read at each monthly church Conference.

Voted, That the Articles of Faith and Covenant shall be read to each candidate for church membership, and his assent had before baptism.

Believing it to be the duty of Christians to make a public declaration of their Christian belief for the honor of Christ and the good of his cause on earth, we, therefore, deem it suitable to make the following

We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and our only rule of Faith and Practice. 2 Tim. 3: 16. 2 Peter 1: 21. Heb. 1: 1,2. John 5: 39.

We believe there is but one only living and true God, and that he has made himself known to his people by the several names of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal in nature, power, and glory. Duet. 6: 4. Eph. 4:6. 1 John 5:7. 2 Cor. 13: 14. John 5: 23. John 1: 1,14. John 13: 26. Matt. 12: 31,32.

We believe that man was created in the image of God, holy, innocent, and happy; but, that he fell from that state, and lost all communion with God, by violating a known command of his Maker, and that we are all so affected by his apostacy, and that by nature we are wholly inclined to evil, and hence have become servants of