WHY DON'T YOU SAY, AMEN? by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1876

WHY DON'T YOU SAY, AMEN?

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THE reader may think that this is a queer question, at least not a very important one; but I do not feel that way about it. Has not the Lord frequently said, “Let all the people say, Amen?” He has, as I will soon show you. But what I want to call attention to is this fact, viz.: That many among our people are changing very much in their practice upon this subject. The time was when all our people would respond heartily, with a good, ringing amen, both in the prayer-meeting, and when the minister was praying, and sometimes when the minister was preaching, and always at the conclusion of a testimony borne by brethren and sisters. This always gives life and spirit to a meeting, and encourages both speakers and hearers.

Of course, like any other good thing, it may be overdone. Sometimes we have had to reprove fanatics upon this point, but my experience is that among us there is not much danger of fanaticism on that point at present. Many of our people are becoming like the stiff, cold Presbyterians in this respect. I think some of them would be frightened to hear their own voices in a good, hearty amen. I do not like this change. I doubt much whether it is pleasing to God, and I am certain that it is a great loss to all in our social meetings. It ought not so to be. I have always noticed that when a church is wide awake, full of life and zeal, the amens seem to come out spontaneously. You can hardly choke them down; but when the members become backslidden, stupid, and cold, the amens cease.

When I get down to pray in the midst of brethren and sisters, and no one responds, hardly even at the close of the prayer, with an audible amen, it throws a chill and discouragement over me. I feel as though they have little or no interest in what I am praying for, or at least no anxiety for the Lord to answer, or at any rate not much faith that he will. How can a minister exercise faith under such circumstances? And then in a social meeting, how dull, how lifeless, how unsocial it does seem to have one and another bear their testimony and no one respond to it. I sometimes feel so tried about this it seems as though I could not contain myself. Here are souls struggling for the right, struggling for Heaven and eternity, and yet it does not move our souls at all. I believe if we felt the value of a soul, the nearness of the advent, the solemnity of the Judgment, and the terrible conflict in which we are engaged, we should act differently about this.

How can our brethren and sisters have good social meetings week after week, and still be so dull and silent? I believe it is all wrong. There is frequently mighty power in a good, spiritual, stirring amen, particularly when joined in by the whole church. I am afraid we are backsliding in this, and I dread it. My very soul dreads the day when this people shall become as stiff, and formal, and unsociable as the nominal churches of the present day; but unless we guard ourselves on these points we certainly shall; and our love and sympathy, our sociability, and the power of brotherly influence will die out among us.

The truth alone is not enough. We must have the spirit of the truth, and the Spirit of God with us and among us; for where that is there is life and interest.

Brethren and sisters, why don’t you say, Amen? Open your mouth and do not be afraid. But take notice, this is not meant for that loud, boisterous, empty-souled boaster, whose whole religion is noise and nothing else; but it is meant for the great body of our good brethren and sisters, who are the very ones who need it.

Perhaps you think the word of God does not say anything on this subject. Read the following carefully, and see what the Lord thinks about it: “And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.” Num. 5:22. Twelve times in connection with the following verses the Lord says all the people shall say, Amen: “And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice, Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place; and all the people shall answer and say, Amen. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother; and all the people shall say, Amen.” Deut. 27:14–16.

Again, when David said that Solomon should sit on his throne after him, “Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the king and said, Amen.” 1 Kings 1:36. And when David praised God, see what the people said, “And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.” 1 Chron. 16:36. Again, the Lord, by the mouth of David, said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.” Ps. 106:48.

So in the New Testament, Paul argues thus: “Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say, Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest.” 1 Cor. 14:16. Paul says if the brethren do not understand what you say, how can they say, Amen? If he had asked that question to some of our brethren, they would have replied, Brother Paul, we never say, Amen any way, whether we understand or not. But Paul was not acquainted with that kind of Christians; for in all the churches that he raised up, they all said, Amen. So we read that all the heavenly host give thanks and say, Amen. Rev. 5:14. Again, when Jesus said, “Surely I come quickly,” John responds, “Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20. Let me repeat it, dear brethren, remember what the Lord says, “Let all the people say, Amen.”

And then with regard to praising the Lord. We have been so afraid of fanaticism, and so cursed with it in some places in the past, that there is danger of our going to the opposite extreme now and grieving the Spirit of the Lord by our cold silence. Hear what the Lord says, “Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” Ps. 107:32. Notice, the Lord commands us to praise him in the congregation, not simply at home, but in the congregation. Again the prophet says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, and shout, O daughter of Jerusalem.” Zech. 9:9. Of Paul and Silas in the prison, we read thus, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:25. If they could praise God under these circumstances we ought to praise him in the congregation of the saints.

Finally, in Rev. 19:5, we read, “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.” Here is a command right from the throne of God, that everybody should praise God. Indeed, this is repeated a thousand times all through the Bible. It is not only a privilege, but it is the duty of every one to praise God, and to praise him aloud in the congregation; for this is a matter of no small importance where the Spirit of God has said so much about it. No; verily, there is something at stake in this matter; God is interested, angels are interested, the church is interested. Brethren, let us wake up, live in the Spirit, and sing in the Spirit, and let us manifest spiritual life on all proper occasions. Again I ask, Brother or sister, why don’t you say, Amen? If you feel it, then say it. If you do not feel it, it is time you did.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Rome, N. Y.