The proponents of the Reformation believed that tongues were known languages. Luther referred to tongues as the ability to translate one known language into another known language. Calvin's study on tongues is also exhaustive and in line with the reformist view.ⁱ Wesley also believed that tongues were existing languages.

Modern tongues-speaking has its origin among the Irvingites (after Edward Irving, 1792-1834). During the civil war years, religious emotionalism was strong, and the "inner light of the Spirit" was considered to be the supreme standard, even over the Bible. However, the Bible clearly teaches that the Word is the standard of truth (John 17:17), and that the Spirit must be in harmony with the Word (Isaiah 8:20).

The Irvingites thought that the “age of law” had passed and the “age of the Spirit” had come. Faith became a matter of feeling, power, and enjoyment, and it was during this same time that various interpretations of the Gospel such as dispensationalism crept into the Church.

During those days, supernaturalism rose above logic. Preachers describe in their diaries how they would sing and dance and utter ecstatics while under the influence of the Spirit. George Tarter writes this:

I was taken in a most pleasant manner, and was forced to lie singing and whistling; and then to rise out of my bed between one and two o' clock for to dance; and so continued singing and dancing near upon two hours by the clock...and why I counted singing, is because I did (as being overpowered with joy) crie ha ha tall; toll lall derab la loll; la dero tall derall tall toll dero tall aroll atoll loll loll dero in such a way I did breake [sic] forth...I desired my brother that lay with me to lie upon me, and so he did, to try whether I should then shake, and I did tatter him up and down and shake so much, that he could not make me lie still...I shoke [sic] him as if he had been in a cradle.ⁱⁱ

While the Irvingites experienced glossolalia in England, the Mormons under Joseph Smith also spoke in tongues in the United States:

Father Smith would call upon some illiterate brother to rise and speak in tongues in the name of Jesus Christ. The order was given...Arise upon your feet, speak or make some sound, continue to make sounds of some kind, and the Lord will make a tongue or language of it.ⁱⁱⁱ

Mormon leader and American politician Brigham Young also spoke in tongues and interpreted his own messages.^iv

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