Final answer:
Speaking in tongues was understood to be a special prayer language by which believers spoke directly to God.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the turn of the century, speaking in tongues was understood to be a special prayer language by which believers spoke directly to God. It was believed to be a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit that allowed believers to communicate with God in a language that they did not understand. This belief is based on a biblical account in the New Testament, specifically in the book of Acts, where the Holy Spirit enables the apostles to speak in different languages so that all can understand.