Mr. Arthur B. Reeve, in Munsey’s Mag., May, 1909, p. 164, says that Chas. G. Finney first used this term at Rochester, N.Y., in the eighteen-thirties. The expression explains itself.
1835. I observed that the preacher was giving his remarks a new direction; and I was speedily led to conclude, that he was about to try the anxious seat.—A. Reed and J. Matheson, ‘Visit to America,’ i. 13.
1835. The other measure, which had been lately adopted, and which is, I believe, altogether new, has received the somewhat barbarous and canting denomination of “Anxious Seat.”—Id., ii. 34–5.
1837. Both prescribed one capital and fundamental principle—‘the anxious seat.’—Knick. Mag., x. 141 (Aug.).
1837. Settin’ on the anxious benches.—Haliburton, ‘Clockmaker’ (1862), p. 232. (N.E.D.)
1842. On the front bench, before the platform, were young females, occupying what is called “the anxious seat,” most of them in convulsions.—J. S. Buckingham, ‘The Eastern and Western States of America,’ i. 515. [This was at a Methodist “Revival” in Carlisle. Pa.]
1842. Mr. Buchanan of Pennsylvania said he was on the anxious seat, and the senator from Kentucky (Mr. Clyde) had brought him to it.—U.S. Senate, Feb. 14: Congressional Globe, p. 231.
1853. Here is where we differ again. You tell them to go to the anxious seat to get forgiveness; Christ, his Apostles, and we, tell them to be baptized for the remission of sins.—Brigham Young, July 24: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ i. 240.
1857. I did not go to the anxious seat myself, for I was not under conviction…. If the priest the day before, who had sealed me up to eternal damnation, had any authority, it was very little use in my going to the anxious bench.—George A. Smith, Bowery, Salt Lake City, Aug. 2: id., v. 104–5.
