Maria Curtis Feels Relief the Moment Charles Curtis Gives Her Oil and Prays During Ague and Violent Fever at Holbeach Bank (1849)

Maria Curtis was seized with the ague followed by a violent fever. Her condition was so severe that her mistress sent for her friends. Charles Curtis went to administer to her, and she felt relief immediately after he gave her oil and prayed for her. She returned to her job shortly after.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I will also inform you of the case of Maria Curtis, who was living in service. She was seized with the ague which was followed by a violent fever, which so alarmed her mistress that she sent for her friends, who succeeded in getting her home, and on the 4th June I was sent for, to lay hands on her. I went and found her in a suffering state. I gave her some oil, and laid hands on her in the name of the Lord, and prayed the fever might be stayed; and when I had done this, I had scarcely turned my back before she replied she felt much better. In a short time she again returned to her situation, where she has continued ever since.