John Proctor, Thomas Putnam, and Giles Corey point out two main reasons why Parris is an ineffective minister. The first reason is because of the content of his preaching. The men feel that Parris focuses too much on evil and the negative in his Sabbath messages; Rebecca Church notes that many people are afraid to bring their children to meeting because of this. John Proctor sums the problem up well by stating directly,
"I have trouble enough without I come five mile to hear him preach only hellfire and bloody damnation. Take it to heart, Mr. Parris. There are many others who stay away from church these days because you hardly ever mention God any more".
The second major reason the men give for Reverend Parris's ineffectiveness as a minister is his overconcern with money and material things. Parris complains about his salary, claiming that he is Harvard-educated and has given up a lucrative business in Barbados to serve in Massachusetts Colony; he is "not used to poverty", and has even asked for the deed to the house provided for him by the community. Proctor again sums the situation up succinctly, saying,
"...to ask ownership is like you shall own the meeting house itself; the last meeting I were at you spoke so long on deeds and mortgages I thought it were an auction" (Act I, Scene 2).
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