We give here its most important parts, for personal reflection:

“IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY:

1. “That we set an infinite value upon immortal souls.

2. “That we gain all information of the snares and delusions in which these heathen are held.

3. “That we abstain from all those things which would increase their prejudices against the Gospel.

4. “That we watch all opportunities for doing good.

5. “That we keep to the example of Paul, and make the great subject of our preaching, Christ the Crucified.

6. “That the natives should have an entire confidence in us and feel quite at home in our company.

7. “That we build up and watch over the souls that may be gathered.

8. “That we form our native brethren to usefulness, fostering every kind of genius and cherishing every gift and grace in them, especially advising the native churches to choose their own pastors and deacons from amongst their own countrymen.

9. “That we labor with all our might in forwarding translations of the Sacred Scriptures in the languages of India.

10. “That we establish native free-schools and recommend these establishments to other Europeans.

11. “That we be constant in prayer and the cultivation of personal religion, to fit us for the discharge of these laborious and unutterably important labors. Let us often look at Brainerd in the woods of America, pouring out his very soul before God for the perishing heathen, without whose salvation nothing could make him happy.

12. “That we give ourselves unreservedly to this glorious cause. Let us never think that our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, or even the clothes we wear, are our own. Let us sanctify them all to God and His cause. O, that He may sanctify us for His work! No private family ever enjoyed a greater portion of happiness than we have done since we resolved to have all things in common. If we are enabled to persevere, we may hope that multitudes of converted souls will have reason to bless God to all eternity for sending His Gospel into this country.”

In this solemn compact, which sounds like an apostolic document, twelve cardinal principles are carefully set forth.

1. Valuing human souls at an infinite worth.

2. Informing themselves as to their actual needs.

3. Avoiding all putting of stumbling blocks in their way.

4. Watching opportunity to do good unto all.

5. Preaching Christ Crucified as their one theme.

6. Inspiring confidence by a Christlike life.

7. Establishing schools for Christian education.

8. Watching over and training native converts.

9. Raising up a native ministry for service.

10. Translating the Holy Scriptures into the vernacular.

11. Cultivating prayer and self-culture in piety.

12. Surrendering self unreservedly to God and service.

 Arthur T. Pierson, The Divine Enterprise of Missions (New York: Baker & Taylor Co., 1891), 220–222.