People initially respond to seeing the minister with the black veil on his face with shock and horror. The sexton is "astonish[ed]," asking what it is that their good minister has on his face. Another man feels disbelief, asking the sexton if he's sure that this man actually is their minister. Mr. Hooper's strange appearance has caused "much amazement" from his parishioners, though everything about him is the same as it always was, apart from the veil that covers his eyes, nose, and part of his mouth. One old woman does not mince her words, saying, "'I don't like it [...]. He has changed himself into something awful, only by hiding his face.'" It is easy to understand why they'd be so alarmed: we feel we can tell a lot about a person based on their facial expression. Without being able to see their minister's expression -- especially his eyes -- his congregation feels a bit haunted by his presence.
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