How can I create a message that gets sent from a rule?

In Outlook 2000, I am using the "reply with specific template" rule. From
what I can see, this must be an .oft file. When I create an oft file by
saving a new html format message as an oft something odd happens. The body of
the message shows up when I open the oft file and send it from itself, but
when the same file is sent as a result of the rule there is no body in the
message when it is received! Please help! I'm losing my mind! Thanks!