Typical Puritan sermons were not thunderous outbursts.
Emotions were only indicated by a raise or lowering of the voice.
The pulpit (unlike Baptist churches) were off to the side, up high, and had a sound board on top to reflect and focus the sound. Even a whisper from the pulpit would be heard by all in the assembly.
The pulpit area was not conducive to gestures accept to the front and one side, and some were poorly lit and had to have a lantern or candle to aid in reading.
Edwards was concerned with the people putting emotions before hearing and rationally grasping the truth.
This is not the only time or person who had this concern.
Some will recognize that Phillip P. Bliss also expressed concerns over the emotionalism associated with some singing in the revival meetings - especially when a song was highly repetitious in words and/or music.
Emotions were only indicated by a raise or lowering of the voice.
The pulpit (unlike Baptist churches) were off to the side, up high, and had a sound board on top to reflect and focus the sound. Even a whisper from the pulpit would be heard by all in the assembly.
The pulpit area was not conducive to gestures accept to the front and one side, and some were poorly lit and had to have a lantern or candle to aid in reading.
Edwards was concerned with the people putting emotions before hearing and rationally grasping the truth.
This is not the only time or person who had this concern.
Some will recognize that Phillip P. Bliss also expressed concerns over the emotionalism associated with some singing in the revival meetings - especially when a song was highly repetitious in words and/or music.
