Jack Carroll’s Letter, February 12, 1942 Regarding Wedding Ceremonies, Showers, etc.
2010 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Avenue
Everett, Washington
February 12, 1942
Dear Brother,
An inquiry has reached me recently regarding the marriage ceremony and letters relating thereto. This letter is for your information and guidance.
There are just two places where we can encourage marriage
of those "professing" to be the Lord's people to be held and two only - -
the home or the office of the
Justice of Peace or Judge.
The farther we keep from the customs of the world in this matter, the better.
For any to send a wide or general invitation to the Lord's people in any city or community, is entirely out of order.
The parties getting married should remember that the
friends to whom each invitation are sent,
are only theirs as a result of the labor and sacrifice of others
and that they never would have known them apart from the Gospel.
It has been said that the underlying purpose of this needless advertisement is usually selfish and mercenary.
It is not necessary, but should suffice for the relatives and a few personal friends of both parties that have been meeting in the same church to be present at the ceremony in the home. Any more than this savors of the world and its ways, and leads to many difficulties.
We have heard of
"showers"
in connection with some marriages accompanied
by lightness and a spirit of frivolity most unbecoming to the children of God.
We cannot approve of such gathering.
If any wish to make a present to either party,
they can send it by mail or deliver it personally
and thus avoid any conditions or circumstances
that would grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
You will, of course, understand that the foregoing has to do only with those professing to be in fellowship with God's people.
We cannot interfere with the liberty of those who do not profess, even though their parents may.
We feel, however, that the parents, even of children who do not profess, should be very careful that everything in connection with their marriage should not hinder their personal fellowship with God nor affect their own testimony as God's children.
You are at liberty to read this letter to any to whom it may be a help - -especially those who possibly need guidance with regard to this matter.
Yours sincerely in Christ's service,
Signed: (John T. Carroll)
A professing woman wanted to give a babyshower for a professing relative. She talked to the workers about it and they told her that she shouldn’t do it because one does not want the left hand to know what the right hand is doing.
- - -COMMENT SECTION- - -
My parents followed such wedding rules, but of course, they were not attibuted to Jack Carroll but were believed to be "from the beginning," or the way all the "only true Christians" had done it from New Testament days on. All the 2x2's were married by JP's or in other tiny civil ceremonies. Naturally, not in any buildings called churches by the False Churches.
My sister and others of our generation were married that way, too. (I had left the 2x2's by then). Her 2x2 daugher was married by a JP in the parents home. And that is pretty much the way things have been done in this area and still are.
They still say that's it's because it was always that way from New Testament days on.
The only substantive difference I see is that now, they do have showers and both "saved " and "unsaved" relatives and close friends come to those.
But when I was a kid, we neither gave nor attended showers because they were a form of party and all parties were worldly. They certainly wouldn't go to parties now - - except for sales parties, which they usually try to call something else. They would not want people to think they "party!!!!"
Hearties don't party hearty, no none!!!
Marti
January 18, 2000
