ABSTRACT
Although in April 1692 most of the inhabitants of Salem village were convinced that the Devil was in their midst, not all were so persuaded and at least a few were willing to make their sentiments known. A minister in whom the people of New England had placed their faith as their primary defender against the Devil turned out to be the Devil's follower. Perhaps the most important person to be formally charged during the Salem witch trials was George Burroughs, who became known as the "black minister". John Proctor had avoided most of Salem village's squabbles. When the witch trials began, however, Proctor's servant, Mary Warren, was among the afflicted, and he was opposed to her participation. The magistrates had two separate and independent sources of testimony, yet still they held back. It was no mean thing to arrest a minister, a man of God, as the leader of witches and the servant of the Devil.
