AMEN by C. | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1879

AMEN

By C.

“Let all the people say, Amen,” is a divine command applicable in all ages and to every congregation of worshipers. Certainly no good reason exists why it is not as appropriate for God’s people now as at any time in the past. The response carries with it a power that unites the sympathies and binds the hearts of brethren closer together; and in the social meeting who has not felt a thrill of encouragement at the hearty amen of some good brother as expressions of fidelity have dropped from the lips of one bearing testimony?

The minister, too, knows what a source of encouragement such responses are to him, as he kneels to pray in the congregation, or in the desk treats on themes of the deepest interest to himself. It certainly shows, to say the least, that some one is paying attention to what is being said. More than this, it is evident that the subject is appreciated, and

without appreciation it becomes an idle tale, soon forgotten and consequently lost.

The history of the church in the past has invariably shown that as it declined in spirituality this custom has dropped out, and a cold formality has stepped in to dictate forms of worship more in accordance with its own apathetic nature. There is certainly reason to fear that, as a people, we are not exempt from this downward tendency, since it is a noticeable fact—however painful it may be—that some have nearly or quite dropped the custom from their midst.

Brethren, this is not as it should be. Let us reform on this point, and return to the old time-honored custom of kneeling in time of prayer; and no matter who is present, let all heartily unite in the petitions offered, and may the fervent responses from each witness that our hearts are engaged in true devotion before Him who has said, “Let all the people say, Amen!” C.