Cotton Mather, a prominent figure during the Salem witch trials, played a significant role in the events that unfolded during this dark period in American history. As a Puritan minister and theologian, Mather was known for his strict adherence to Puritan beliefs and his belief in the existence of witches. He was unwavering in his support of the trials and actively encouraged the prosecution of those accused of witchcraft. Mather's influential book, "Wonders of the Invisible World," provided a justification for the witch trials and served as a guide for the court proceedings. In the book, Mather argued that witchcraft was a real and dangerous threat to the community, and justified the use of spectral evidence as sufficient proof of guilt. Spectral evidence was based on the testimonies of witnesses who claimed to have seen the accused witches' spirits tormenting others, rather than concrete physical evidence.
This odd weather phenomenon grows even more strange when you dig deeper into history.
It happened last year, when quickly falling temperatures on the back end of a growing storm turned rain to snow in parts of the Midwest and, in an eerie throwback to 1975, prompted forecasters to issue gale warnings for Lake Superior. On November 11, 1911, many locations in Missouri established records in terms of the largest daily temperature swing and this remarkable occurrence remains unprecedented today, wrote Guinan.
Spectral evidence was based on the testimonies of witnesses who claimed to have seen the accused witches' spirits tormenting others, rather than concrete physical evidence. Mather's support of the trials helped to fuel the hysteria that gripped Salem during this time. The trials began in 1692 and resulted in the execution of twenty people, with many more imprisoned or accused.
"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down, of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee. The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead when the skies of November.
Many people are not aware that the song, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, by Gordon Lightfoot, is associated with a real life event. Even fewer people really know where he first got the idea to write the song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. When Gordon Lightfoot first heard about the wreck, he did so through a news article in Newsweek, and as a commemoration to the wreck and to the men, Lightfoot composed a song. The song was released in 1976 and became a top ten hit!
Gordon Lightfoot usually is very protective of this song and the wishes of the family members and is in no way "for" exploiting the victims, or their family members. He has also appeared at several 25th anniversary memorial services in support of the families and is in personal contact with many of them. Every family member that we have interviewed on this website agrees that Lightfoot is "a good guy," "a genuine man," and even "blessed."
The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
©1976 by Gordon Lightfoot and Moose Music, Ltd.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
of the big lake they called "Gitche Gumee."
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
when the skies of November turn gloomy.
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty,
that good ship and true was a bone to be chewed
when the "Gales of November" came early.
The ship was the pride of the American side
coming back from some mill in Wisconsin.
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
with a crew and good captain well seasoned,
concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
when they left fully loaded for Cleveland.
And later that night when the ship's bell rang,
could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?
The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
and a wave broke over the railing.
And ev'ry man knew, as the captain did too
'twas the witch of November come stealin'.
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
when the Gales of November came slashin'.
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
in the face of a hurricane west wind.
When suppertime came the old cook came on deck sayin'.
"Fellas, it's too rough t'feed ya."
At 7 P.M. a main hatchway caved in; he said,*
"Fellas, it's bin good t'know ya!"*
*(now: "At 7 p.m., it grew dark, it was then he said, Fellas it's bin good t'know ya!")
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
and the good ship and crew was in peril.
And later that night when 'is lights went outta sight
came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Does any one know where the love of God goes
when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
if they'd put fifteen more miles behind 'er.
They might have split up or they might have capsized;
they may have broke deep and took water.
And all that remains is the faces and the names
of the wives and the sons and the daughters.
Lake Huron rolls, Superior sings
in the rooms of her ice-water mansion.
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams;
the islands and bays are for sportsmen.
And farther below Lake Ontario
takes in what Lake Erie can send her,
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
with the Gales of November remembered.
In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
in the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral."
The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times
for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
of the big lake they call "Gitche Gumee."
"Superior," they said, "never gives up her dead
when the gales of November come early!"
Mather's involvement in the trials extended beyond his writing; he actively participated in the court proceedings and even served as a religious advisor to the judges. Although Mather initially believed in the legitimacy of the trials, he later expressed some doubt and urged caution in the use of spectral evidence. However, his influence had already played a significant role in perpetuating the hysteria and ensuring the widespread convictions. The Salem witch trials were a dark chapter in American history, and Cotton Mather's involvement in the events has left a lasting impact. While his intentions may have been rooted in a genuine belief in witchcraft, his fervent support of the trials and his influence on the court proceedings contributed to the loss of innocent lives and the tarnishing of the community's reputation. The trials serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked religious zeal and the importance of critical thinking and fairness in the pursuit of justice..
Reviews for "The Clergy's Role in the Salem Witch Hunt: Analyzing Cotton Mather's Involvement"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - This book was a huge disappointment. I was expecting an in-depth exploration of Cotton Mather's role in the Salem witch trials, but instead, I got a superficial account that barely scratched the surface. The writing was dull and lacked any real analysis or critical thinking. I was hoping for a balanced examination of the events, but it was clear that the author had a biased perspective. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of the Salem witch trials or Cotton Mather's involvement.
2. John - 2/5 stars - While this book provided some information about Cotton Mather and the witch trials during the Salem witch hunt, it failed to engage and captivate me as a reader. The writing style was dry and academic, making it difficult to stay invested in the content. Additionally, the book lacked sufficient depth and analysis, leaving me with many unanswered questions. I was left feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied with the level of research and storytelling. Overall, I believe there are better books out there for those interested in this topic.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - As someone who has extensively studied the Salem witch trials, I found this book to be disappointingly basic. It only touched on the surface-level details of Cotton Mather's involvement and failed to provide any new insights or perspectives. The author seemed more focused on regurgitating commonly known information rather than offering any original analysis. Furthermore, the writing style was tedious and lacked any flair or creativity. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Cotton Mather's role in the Salem witch trials.