AMEN', a Hebrew word of asseveration, is equivocal to "yea," "truly," and has been commonly adopted in the forms of Christian worship. In Jewish synagogues, the A. is pronounced by the congregation at the conclusion of the benediction given at parting: Among the early Christians, the prayer offered by the presbyter was concluded by the word A., uttered by the congregation. Mention is made of the practice in the 1st epistle to the Corinthians (xiv. 16). Justin Martyr is the earliest of the fathers who alludes to the use of the response. "In speaking of the sacrament, he says that at the close of the benediction and prayer, all the assembly respond A.' According to Tertullian, none but the faithful were allowed to join in the response." A somewhat noisy and irreverent practice prevailed in the celebration of the Lord's supper until the 6th c., after which it was discontinued. " Upon the reception both of the bread and of the wine, each person uttered a loud A. ;' and at the close of the consecration by the priest, all joined in shouting a loud A.' " The same custom was observed at baptism, where the sponsors and witnesses responded vehemently. In the Greek church, the A. was pronounced after the name of each person of the Trinity; and at the close of the baptismal formula, the people responded. At the conclusion of prayer, it signifies (according to the English Olurch catechism) so be it; after the repetition of the creed, so is it.
AMFND'ItENT is a term used both in judicial and parliamentary proceedings. In the former, it is a power of correction of any errors in actions, suits, or prosecutions, which has been greatly extended of late, and which has largely improved and simplified the administration of the law, both in England and in Scotland. In parliarient, the word A. is used when it is intended to oppose, vary, or qualify a question or resolution; and in the case of bills, it is employed as a courteous method of dismissing the bill from any further consideration, by moving that instead of "now," it be read at the end of three months, six months, or any other term beyond the probable duration of the session. It is also competent to a member to move as an A. to the question a resolution declaratory of some principle adverse to that of the bill, provided it be strictly relevant, as was done successfully, in 1859, by Lord John Russell, when he moved and carried, as an A. to the motion for the second reading of the reform bill of Lord Derby's government, a resolution declaratory of a principle which the supporters of that measure considered to be subversive of it.