James Hutchison was a minister in the parish of Killallan. He was known for his evangelical zeal, and would be spoken of fondly by later divines who admired the powers of conversion and awakening he inspired in his flock. Hutchison was also widely known as a firm believer in the threat posed by witches in Scotland, and he was famed for his evangelical approach to rooting out these servants of the devil.

Duly, Hutchison was offered centre stage in April 1697, shortly before the commencement of the trial. He mounted the pulpit in Paisley Abbey in front of an expectant congregation that included the vast majority of those who would soon convene to decide the fate of the accused. Hutchison proceeded to exhort those present to be very aware of the real presence of the devil's servants in the local area, and the means by which it was possible to safely identify them. It was a powerful sermon, and undoubtedly influenced all who heard it.