p. 24 | The Amen Corner Passing by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1915

The Amen Corner Passing

By Editor

THE amen corner has ceased to exist for the most part in the great churches of Christendom. Formalism has in a large measure supplanted spirituality. Much of the preaching is not of a character to awaken deep spiritual emotions, and on the part of many there is an indifference to the utterances of the minister so long as sinful pleasures and practices are not too strongly rebuked. We regret that even in the Seventh-day Adventist Church we do not see that hearty response to the preaching of the word which at one time characterized our congregations. This we believe is not due to indifference, nor yet wholly to the spirit of formality which has invaded our ranks, although with us, the same as with the great churches of the world, there is danger that formalism will dampen spiritual ardor.

Many of our brethren and sisters have come to feel in a measure that it is out of place to respond directly to the preaching of the word, and that outward assent would be regarded by others as too demonstrative and sensational. We do not agree with this view of the matter. There is danger of our quenching the promptings of the Spirit of God when we fail to give assent to the utterances of divine truth. Let us avoid in our services the spectacular and the sensational. Let us, on the other hand, be careful not to permit ourselves to be robbed of the spirit of liberty and rejoicing in the Lord by any false standard of propriety and decorum. We believe that in our churches the amen corners should not only be revived, but that there should be a general response throughout the congregation to the word of the Lord, and to the movings of the Holy Spirit.