We know that their worship, whether of the unprogrammed or pastorally-led variety, is usually limited to an hour. Many spiritual movements which are on fire at the beginning lose much of their fire over the generations. For Friends, the 18th century was a period of consolidation which included the establishment of a variety of common expectations, some as matters of written discipline and some more informally enforced with the help of the elders. By the end of that century, discontent was arising with the quietist atmosphere and seeming lack of freedom to fully express the moving of the Spirit. Since then, there have been several movements among Friends which, among other things, led to schisms as differences became too large to bridge.
Many Friends are very suspicous of emotionalism in worship.
There are real dangers of artificially creating an emotional environment in which the feelings might in considerable respect not be genuine ones of a relationship with Jesus Christ. But it seems to me that our faith is experiential, centered in a relationship. Emotional expression would seem to naturally spring forth from such a relationship. Today, North American Quakerism is very diverse. There are also a variety of efforts to renew and revitalize Friends, and some fruits of these are evident.