So my Calkins ancestors came to the New World amid a flood of Puritans. Puritans sought a "purity" of worship and doctrine but were blocked in the Old World from making the reforms they sought. I should clarify that when I say they were not hugely fond of pomp and ceremony I am not saying that there were no ceremonies and services in their lives. I was not talking about that at all. The Puritans were scrupulously exact in recording the dates of weddings, births and deaths, graduations, etc. If it were not so, we would have no record of where we came from but we do. The names of the children were recorded even when they died very young because we are not talking about an inventory of cattle for breeding. We are talking about human souls. Each child's soul is a very important matter. On Judgment Day God will open the big book and beside the name of each child or adult will be that soul's life story. Each person will be called to account for everything done in this life. Sin is not merely a matter of societal stigma. Sure, sin does have consequences in this life. The stigma was severe in Puritan society. But beyond that, it is a very personal matter. What will you say to God when He opens the book on you and points to these various dates of your life? What will your answer be? My opinion of you will not matter then. You will not be able to hide behind excuses and comparisons. On that day you will have to face the truth because the record books will not lie.
Revelation 20:12-15: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second
death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into
the lake of fire."
