The Portland daily press., 1866-08-23
Kennebunk Camp Meeting.
lRcportcd for tho Pross.J


Wednesday noon.--On last evening Rev. A.
Hatch gave us a sermon from John 81 16, in
which he represented the great danger of the
sinner, and the glorious love of God in giving
his Son to deliver from that danger, and the
necessity of believing to secure that deliverance
and to obtain eternal life.
At ten o'clock all were quiet. those who had
no place at the ground retired, while others re-
tired to their tents.
This morning the spirit of the meeting is en-
the increase, as indicated by the fervent prayers
and hearty singing of the people in the several
tents.
The public service consisted of a statement
by Mr.. Awaghi, an Italian, of his religious ex-
perience. He read Psa. 66: 16, and proceeded
to say that eleven years ago he came to this
country, the land of the free and free institu-
tions. For four years, with two brothers, who
had previously arrived, he wandered over the
country, when he went to Fairfield, in Iowa
Before leaving Italy, he had been admonished
by his Father Confessor not to enter the places
of worship of heretics. After strong conflict
in his own mind, he entered Protestant con-
gregation. It chancea to be Methodist love
feast The first thing that attracted his notice
was the passing of the bread and water He
felt himself in a bad fix. He must take of the
bread and water as others did, or he would be
guilty Of rudeness. Ifhe takes 1t he is account
ed hereto. An old, gray headed Christian
rose and told of his personal assurance of sins
forgiven, and said every one could have the
same assurance If they would confess to the
nroaf u;oh r.
A. observed quite number of young men
went to the altar for prayer He Joined them
and began to make confession of mis- sins in de-
tail, as he was accustomed to do the priest, but
was soon told that this minute confession was
unnecessary; that Jesus understood the whole
matter, and he was simply to look to Jesus for
the forgiveness of all his sins He then began
earnestly to pray to Jesus for pardon, but un-
derstanding his native Language better than the
English, and absorbed in his condition, he be-
gan to pray in the italian language. The re-
suit was he was converted, his sins were for
given. He has not since doubted, He bore
testimony to what Godhad done for his SOUL
His brothers, under the influence of the spirit
of Popery, at first opposed and tersecuted with
violence, this persecution increasing in Sc
verify for three months, after which both broth
ers renowned Romanism and were thorough
ly converted. A brother-in-law, q lawyer, had
come to this country about the time of his con-
version, and attempted to turn him asida by
process of argument. He returned to Italy in
few weeks and reported the detection of Mr..
Awaghi to his parents and other friends. by
whom he was disowned. Mr.. A. has graduat-
ed at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and in
tends to enter the Biblical Institute at Concord,
N. II. he proposes ultimately to return to It
ally as missionary.
This afternoon, the congregation having col
lected at the stand, were scattered after the in
troductory service, by o shower, attended with
heavy wind, and prayer meetings were held in
several of the tents. OCCASIONAL.