>-----Original Message-----
>From: James W. Allen [mailto:jallen@...]
>Sent: Wednesday, 7 April 2004 1:07 AM
>To: soundofgrace@...
>Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] On Presentations of Infants and Baptisms
>
>This is one of those troublesome traditions that has evolved since the
>Reformation. It seems to me that this (like robed preachers, cross
>displays,
>"passion plays," and "sanctuaries" decorated to the tune of millions of
>dollars) are evidence of the same fleshly tendencies (toward ceremonies
and
>appearances) that corrupted the church in the Dark Ages.
>
>The simplicity of the gospel, the simplicity of the Christian life, the
>simplicity of a humble people serving a humble Savior, just is not
enough
>for many people.
>
>As for me, it is enough to raise my child in the nurture and admonition
of
>the Lord, I do not need a ceremony to make me a father or remind me of
my
>duty.
>


Fine Jim but to understand you really well I wonder if you could tell me
what you would do with weddings and funerals. Do you think a Christian
couple should bother with a formal ceremony with the bride in white,
etc. etc.? Similarly for a funeral?

God bless,
Jeff