<P> Candles are also placed on the altar in other liturgical rites of other Christian Churches . </P> <P> Arthur Carl Piepkorn, in a liturgical directory entitled "The Conduct of the Service," stated that the normal Lutheran practice was to use two candles on the altar: </P> <P> It is proper to light the altar candles for all services . The Lutheran use is to have two single beeswax candles, set near the extremities of the altar, either on the gradine or as close as possible to the back of the mensa, if there be no gradine . Six candles is a Counter-Reformatory Roman use . Candelabra as substitutes for the two single candles are a Protestant sentimentality . The Epistle candle is lighted first; the Gospel candle last; they are extinguished in reverse order . Lighting with a match held in the hand is not reverent:--extinguishing with puffs of breath from bloating cheeks is even less so . Use a lighter and snuffer . The lights may be lit by the officiant if there be no one to assist him, or by a choirboy, or by a server appointed for the purpose . In any case the individual performing this task should be decently vested . New candles should be started before the service, or they may cause embarrassing difficulties . </P> <P> In Anglicanism, candles are used frequently in churches . Percy Dearmer, author of The Parson's Handbook, states that English use supports no more than two lights on the altar . </P>

What do the candles on the altar represent