The question is attributed to the following excerpts of the novel:
The edge of the wilderness was close by. The American continent stretched endlessly west, and it was full of mystery for them. It stood, dark and threatening, over their shoulders night and day, for out of it Indian tribes marauded from time to time....
the Salem folk believed that the virgin forest was the Devil’s last preserve, his home base and the citadel of his final stand. To the best of their knowledge the American forest was the last place on earth that was not paying homage to God.
The first excerpt describes the careful nature of people because they left their homeland and stretched to the new grounds. In order to keep themselves safe they were turning to their beliefs and Holy Book. They were in desperate need of church. The second excerpt describes the folk in which people believed that they have to protect themselves from the Devil.
