MIF 18:2 (Mar-Apr 1986)
A Challenge For Today—
Strong Words From The Past
William Carey is recognized as a great missionary pioneer. In 1873 he arrived in India and a while later was joined by Joshua Marshman and William Word. In 1805 the three men drew up “the Serampore Covenant” — named for the location of their work. The items of that covenant could well serve as an inspiration and challenge to present-day Christians. They are as follows:
We agree:
1. To set an infinite value on men’s souls.
2. To acquaint ourselves with the snares which hold the minds of the people.
3. To abstain from whatever deepens India’s prejudice against the gospel.
4. To watch for every chance of doing the people good.
5. To preach “Christ crucified” as the grand means of conversions.
6. To esteem and treat Indians always as our equals.
7. To guard and build up “the hosts that may be gathered.”
8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever pressing upon them their missionary obligation — since Indians only can win India for Christ.
9. To labour unceasingly in Biblical translation.
10. To be instant in the nature of personal religion.
11. To give ourselves without reserve to the cause, “not counting even the clothes we wear our own.”