MEMORABLE Providences
The Source of Hysteria
The basis for the necessity to persecute a witch stemmed from the book of Exodus chapter twenty-two, verse eighteen, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". The problem with this verse was its lack of clarity. The Bible verse distinctly states if there is a known witch, one is required to execute them. However, the verse does not name or define what a witch is. This made the definition subjective, leaving it up to the individual to determine the characteristics of a human in league with the devil. "Memorable Provinces" described an account of witch craft involving Goody (Mrs.) Glover. In the case depicted in his literary work, Mather provides a description of the aesthetics, actions, and symptoms witches possess. Such qualities were the inability to recite any of the Lord's prayers, the power to cause harm to any man or animal, and multiple more. This criteria became widely accepted as the popularity of "Memorable Provinces" increased and became the foundation for the Salem Witch Trials.
The basis for the necessity to persecute a witch stemmed from the book of Exodus chapter twenty-two, verse eighteen, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". The problem with this verse was its lack of clarity. The Bible verse distinctly states if there is a known witch, one is required to execute them. However, the verse does not name or define what a witch is. This made the definition subjective, leaving it up to the individual to determine the characteristics of a human in league with the devil. "Memorable Provinces" described an account of witch craft involving Goody (Mrs.) Glover. In the case depicted in his literary work, Mather provides a description of the aesthetics, actions, and symptoms witches possess. Such qualities were the inability to recite any of the Lord's prayers, the power to cause harm to any man or animal, and multiple more. This criteria became widely accepted as the popularity of "Memorable Provinces" increased and became the foundation for the Salem Witch Trials.
The Author Behind It
Mather was a Puritan pastor who composed literary works based on the beliefs of his religion. The most prominent influence for his works was the Bible. His ideology was clearly conveyed in his book “Memorable Providences”. He twisted the words of the Bible to conform to his idea of witchcraft, which proposed that witches were the lowly beggars of the world. Mather’s characteristics of witches invaded the minds of the people in Salem and clouded their judgment. Despite these crucial influences Mather had, the most important was the use of Spectral Evidence. Spectral Evidence was the impetuous behind the trials.