Michele Nardi, the Italian evangelist; his life and work ...

Preface

IT is the supreme glory of some noble lives that the man himself was greater than his work or the story of his achievements. It is difficult for this reason to do justice to the portrait of Michele Nardi. He was unique, original, intense, dramatic, and difficult to translate into ordinary terms of expression. Who can forget the way he used to say "Praise the Lord"? Who can forget his shining and transparent face, and his pose and attitude eloquent of force and deep sincerity? He carried his heart on his sleeve and was "a living epistle, known and read of all men."

The writer counts it a great privilege to have even a modest part in making his life and testimony live and continue to speak for the voice that now is still. He had the privilege of knowing him from the beginning of his career, and knowing him and his beloved wife intimately. The following sketch is really the simple story, which her own loving hand has traced, slightly revised and reconstructed for better literary effect. But the simplicity of the story is its real charm, and the unaffectedness of the little volume will make both their lives more intensely real to the large circle who knew and loved them so well.

The story is further extended in the testimonies of many friends, who have gladly united to bring their tributes of affection and veneration to his sacred memory. Among these we are permitted to include Rev. A. F. Schauffler, President of the New York City Mission, who has kindly consented to write the introduction; Mrs. S. G. Beck, of Germantown, to whom the volume is respectfully dedicated; Rev. Dr. Ely, Rev. Mr. Agide Perazzini, and others.

It is not necessary that the writer should add to these testimonies. The life story speaks for itself. We thank God for the life that was behind it, and the works that do follow.

A. B. Simpson.

New York, March 20, 1916.

This volume is lovingly dedicated to

MRS. SARAH G. BECK,

Germantown, Pa.,

the generous helper in every noble cause and

the lifelong friend of Michele and

Blanche Nardi

Introduction

HTHE REV. MICHELE NARDI, whose

■*■ biography is herewith issued, was a remarkable man. The story of his life is so fully told in the following pages that by way of introduction little seems to be called for. That little will naturally take the form of "An Appreciation" by the undersigned.

My first acquaintance with Mr. Nardi dates back some years when I went to Philadelphia to assist him in work he was at that time carrying on among the Italians in that city. I then at once saw he was a man of unusual oratorical gifts and that he had a strong hold on the hearts of his fellowcountrymen who had gathered at the services over which he had presided. In due time the New York City Mission was looking for a man to take the place of its veteran Italian pastor, the Rev. A. A. Arrighi, and the Society was quite persuaded that there was no more acceptable and reliable man than just the one whom I had heard in Philadelphia. We then issued him a call,

S Michele Nardi

and for about six years he had charge of our

Italian Mission in Charlton Street, which during this time became the Charlton Street Memorial Church, and for about two years he also had charge of the Italian work in the Broome Street Tabernacle. Here Mr. Nardi was instant in season and out of season, not only preaching and teaching, but visiting incessantly, like the apostle Paul, from house to house, beseeching every man to be reconciled to Cod. Mr. Nardi was a man possessed with the Spirit of his Master, and for him it was "meat and drink" to do the will of his Heavenly Father, As a pulpit orator he manifested all the fervor of his race. His preaching, however, was thoroughly evangelical and evangelistic; his only aim being to bring everyone into vital union with Christ as his Saviour, and then to build them up in their Christian life, so that they in turn should be winners of souls. He believed in the Word and always preached it faithfully, never turning aside to political or other themes and never indulging in the clap-trap of cheap attacks on the Catholic Church. His one aim was to set up a standard of truth as laid down in the Bible and let all else take care of itself.

While he was with the City Mission, he also cooperated in the Evangelistic Summer Tent Work ; and here too he was a tower of strength. Italian audiences always hung on his words, and were fascinated by the message that he had to give.

In 1913 Mr. Nardi left us to return to his native land, and the City Mission parted with him with sincere regret and with feelings of high esteem for the splendid work he had done while with us. The same fervor which he displayed while in New York manifested itself in Italy. Practically, Mr. Nardi burned himself out. Had he been more sparing of his strength, his ministry would undoubtedly have been more prolonged. He felt that he must work while it was day, and so he flamed on, until his light swiftly went out, and he entered into that life where all is light, where there is no weakness, or weariness, or cessation of service, and where in his Master's presence he can realize that larger life and perfect service of which he often spoke to his congregaio Michele Nardi

tions. The City Mission is glad that it had the privilege of having Mr. Nardi in its work for so many years.

A. F. SCHAUFFLER, D.D.,

President N. Y. City Mission Society.

Chapter I BIRTH, EARLY LIFE, AND CON- VERSION

MICHELE NARDI'S start in life was not without a touch of romance. He was born in 1859, at Savignano di Romagna, Province of Forli, on the river Rubicon; his birthplace being just where Julius Caesar had crossed it. His parents were Roman Catholics; his father, a merchant.

At the age of seventeen he joined the Army under Garibaldi and was afterwards awarded two medals for distinguished bravery.

When he was about nineteen, he went to Florence to study Antiquary, and remained for three years. It was here that he came in contact with an English family who took a great interest in him and taught him to speak English. He also became acquainted with many tourists from England and America who traveled through Italy.

America

IT was at the persuasion of some of these, that he came to America, where he was promised better opportunities than in his native land. Like many others, his main purpose was to attain wealth.

As he was of the higher class of Italians, educated, of stately demeanor, and very gentle in manners, he won the confidence of all who knew him.

But upon his arrival in America he found that his profession did not give him a sufficient income. It was too new a country to give much oportunity for antiquarian studies. About this time, another Italian, who had been in America some years before and had become acquainted with "Get-richquick" methods, laid some plans before Mr. Nardi by which they could make a great deal of money.

Business Ventures

ACCORDINGLY they took contracts to build railroads, for which purpose they employed their fellow countrymen, who did their work so well that the Irish, who were giving a lot of trouble and doing inferior work, were set aside, and the Italians flocked to this country by the hundreds.

These two men were among the first to introduce Italian labor into America.

But, by the time they were established in their new-found joy of making money by the thousand, the Jay Gould failure visited them with others, and for the time ruined their business.

The news of the excellent work done by these Italian contractors soon spread. But times were very hard, and the Italians were starving in New York City.

In Pittsburgh, the "Molly Maguire" trouble was raging. But a few of the mine owners decided to try the Italians, of whose good work they had heard. The mine owners came to New York, and Nardi and his companion signed a contract to mine coal for a Pittsburgh coal company.

They loaded a train with Italians, who were glad to do anything to keep from starving. But when they arrived in Pittsburgh, they were met by a raging mob who wanted to kill the newcomers, none of whom could speak English but Mr. Nardi and his partner. Taking in the situation, one of them slipped out through the throng and soon returned with weapons with which to defend themselves. All knew how to fight, and they did fight, led by Nardi, and in time the "Molly Maguires" were driven out. But for all this trouble and danger (for they had to fight continually for their lives) they received no pay.

Disappointed in this adventure, they again returned to railroad contracting in the western part of Pennsylvania. Once, when they had one road almost completed, a flood came and did a great deal of damage, destroying about twenty thousand dollars' worth of work. But in spite of these losses, Nardi was still full of hope, and pressed on.

Again hard times set in, and his Italian countrymen were starving. His heart went out to them, and he wanted to help them. Hearing that a firm in Pittsburgh was anxious to get a charcoal that would meet their requirements, he consulted some of his men who had followed the business of burning charcoal in Italy, and, having obtained the desired information, he laid his method before the company. They at once accepted his proposal and agreed to try the new charcoal.

At the same time a colony of Economites, who had settled near Pittsburgh, were clearing a large tract of land. Hearing of their desire to dispose of the lumber, he applied for the contract to remove it. He took several hundred men out in the woods, and for two years they turned out the best charcoal that had ever been used in Pittsburgh up to that time. During this time he also acted as Consul for the Italians in Pittsburgh.

Revisits Italy

MEANWHILE he made frequent visits to Italy to see his mother and friends.

But during all these ten years in America no one had offered him a Bible.

On one of his trips to Europe he met an American business man at the Paris Exposition in 1878, who later played an important part in the change that occurred in Mr. Nardi's life. The American was exhibiting his patented articles at the Paris Exposition where Nardi joined him and worked for him, and they became very intimate. Mr. Nardi was a great help to him because of his knowledge of French. He could also speak German fluently, having acquired it at Economy, among the Germans.

They both returned to America after the Exposition, Mr. Nardi to his business in Pittsburgh, and the American to his home.

But the latter, while visiting his sister, received what she had been praying and praising God for, for seven years, — his salvation.

Mr. Nardi was again contracting, and was doing nicely in his business. He also took an interest in stocks, and by shrewd investments was on his way to acquire his desire: namely, wealth.

New Religious Influences

IT was while in Philadelphia, looking after his business in the Stock Exchange, that he again visited his American friend, who was no longer the man he had once known. There were now some things which they could no longer enjoy together, for as the American said, "I was dead, but now I live." This man had prayed much that God would show him how to reach his Italian friend with the Gospel. He asked him if he had ever read the Bible, to which Mr. Nardi answered "No." He said he knew nothing about it, and that no one had ever approached him concerning the things of the

Bible, although he had lived among Protestants all these years. The American then asked him to read the Bible, giving him a large Bible of family size. But Mr. Nardi told him he had not the time to read such a big book, so his friend marked a portion for him to read. Mr. Nardi took it to his hotel to please- his friend, having promised to read the portion which was marked.

His Conversion

WHILE waiting for his dinner, he remembered his promise (and being conscientious he wished to keep it) ; so he turned to the marked portion which was John 1 : 12. A man of quick perception, he at once noticed his privilege to become a son of God. He immediately told the Lord that he wanted to be His son, and he then and there accepted Christ as his Saviour, and had the joy of knowing his sins forgiven.

But while Mr. Nardi was reading, there were seven people praying that God would make His Word life to this Italian friend.

Mr. Nardi prayed to God in simple faith, saying, "If Thou wilt give me power to become

Thy son, I want to be Thy son right now." God answered prayer, and he jumped to his feet and said, "Praise the Lord." Then he heard the call of God to forsake all and follow Him.

So deep was the work of God in his soul that he went to the Stock Exchange at once and asked them to strike his name from the list. Mr. Nardi had bought stocks at a time when their value had dropped, but now they were increasing, so that in a few days he would have made a large sum of money. The man in the Exchange thought he had gone crazy, but he soon told him of his new-found joy and explained to him why he took this attitude.

He then returned to Pittsburgh and as soon as possible closed out his business there.

Separation and Meditation

HE next went to Economy, and taking his English Bible and a few blankets, he settled himself in a little hut in the woods to study God's Word. For some months he lived in entire seclusion. But after much persuasion on the part of some of his friends, who finally discovered his whereabouts, he forsook his little hut and lived for a while in a private home. He was discovered by some one's seeing the tracks in the snow and following them to the little hut where Nardi was living without fire or furniture. Once, when asked how he kept warm, he said it must have been the Holy Spirit Who kept him warm.

While here he studied his English Bible (for he knew no other), and soon he saw that certain words were used a great many times; so he set those words together, giving their references. At the time he thought he had discovered something useful ; but when he came out of his seclusion, he found that a concordance had been in use for many years.

Visits New York

WHILE in Economy, he received a few Methodist papers in which was announced the Tuesday afternoon Holiness meeting, in the house of Mrs. Sarah Palmer, 316 E. 15th St., New York. He cut out this address and with several others put it in his pocket. He placed these addresses in different pockets so that, in case he should lose one, he could still find another. He decided to go to New York and attend those meetings.

Denominationalism did not appeal to him, because he could not understand it; but when he walked along 23d Street, in New York City, one day, he saw the sign, "Gospel Tabernacle." He said to himself, "This is the place for me." He attended the meeting and found the teaching just what he had learned in his Bible. He there heard Dr. Simpson, Major Cole, Henry Varley, and others. During one of the services, an invitation was given for any one who wished to dedicate himself to the Lord to come forward. Mr. Nardi responded, and the above-named with three others, laid their hands on him and set him apart for the Lord's service. He never accepted another ordination, though many tried to have him officially ordained.

About this time the Camp Meetings were in full swing at Ocean Grove. He went there, and during one of their meetings he gave his testimony to what the Lord had done for him. Later he was asked to give it before the assembly from the platform, because all who heard him were much impressed with the sincerity of this one who seemed to stand alone among Italians at that time in this country as a Protestant.

In Mrs. Palmer's Home

AMONG the many who heard him was Mrs. Sarah Palmer from New York City, and she was so impressed by what he said, as well as by his earnestness, that she afterwards went to the Gospel Tabernacle in New York and asked where she might find that Italian. She left word with Mr. Simpson that she wished to see him. Accordingly he went to the Tuesday afternoon meeting held in her home. Mrs. Palmer had a conference with him, and after much persuasion, he consented to live in her hospitable home. Her object was to teach the young man the way of God more perfectly. It was while here that he met many holy men and women of God who all left their impress on his character, among them prominent Methodist Bishops and leaders in the church, who were entertained at Mrs. Palmer's home during those four years.

D

Bible Training

URING these years he became rooted and grounded in the truth, which must have had much to do with his success in later years. He also did much personal work among his own countrymen in hospitals, and prisons, and among the fruit-venders of New York. At this time there was only one Italian Protestant church in New York, under the leadership of Rev. Antonio Arrighi.

He took every opportunity to hear the best Bible teachers and frequently attended the lectures at the Missionary Training School, though he was not an enrolled student. But his one book and instructor was the Bible.

The success of his work among the Italian unfortunates was so evident that even the Italian Press gave him recognition and wrote occasional accounts of it. In one of these articles they used this beautiful expression — "They could point to him and say, 'There goes the man who was born with the Golden heart/ "

Up to this time he did not feel led to open any regular mission among his people, but confined his efforts to doing personal work and speaking in other missions and churches.

Marriage

DURING the few years that he was in New York, he met one of the students at the Missionary Training School, Miss Blanche Phillips, who afterwards became his wife. They were married in the home of Mr. Kinney at Sing Sing, by Rev. A. B. Simpson. The ceremony was very impressive, Mr. Nardi following it, while they were still kneeling, by prayer. Even the colored caterer said that it was a holy marriage. The invitations to the wedding had on them this inscription, "Both Jesus and His disciples were called to the marriage." The power of the Lord was surely present, to which the guests all testified.

Chapter II EVANGELISTIC WORK

AFTER a few months Mr. and Mrs. Nardi left for the West, to begin their pioneer work among their dear Italians. Their first stopping place was East Pittsburgh, where they visited the sister of Mrs. Nardi and found to their glad surprise several hundred Italian laborers working on a new car track, on Highland Avenue. They immediately began visiting them in their shanties, distributing tracts during the day, and visiting in the homes at night. They spent all day Sunday with them and preached to them in the open air. One Sunday morning in particular that Mrs. Nardi recalls, they went out on a vacant lot back of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and there Mr. Nardi preached in power to a large crowd who had gathered, and many listened from their windows and back yards. At the close of the meeting there were nine who bought Bibles from a representative of the Bible Society who was present. Some Irish Catholics who were present called out "Protestant ! Protestant !" and at once some of those who had bought the Bibles became frightened and brought the Bibles back ; but Mr. Nardi soon assured them that they contained the true Gospel of Salvation, after which they kept them. For about six weeks they continued their work among the Italians of Pittsburgh.

About this time they heard that great numbers of Italians were in Chicago, and Mr. Nardi felt called to go to preach to them also. However, the work in Pittsburgh had its lasting effect, for a few ladies became interested in the work among the Italians, and soon started a mission which later developed into the Italian Presbyterian Church in East Liberty. These ladies extended a call to a young Waldensian minister directly from Italy who responded to the call and was much used of God in the early days of the mission. Mr. Nardi frequently visited the field. At the present time there are several Italian Churches and Missions in Pittsburgh and vicinity.

Other Cities Also

SOME Temperance ladies in New Castle heard of the Italian Evangelist in Pittsburgh and gave him an invitation to come and speak to the Italians in that town. They went and visited them in their homes, distributing tracts, gospels, and Bibles, and many were converted. Beaver Falls and Carbon Hill were also visited and meetings held at these places, and tracts, Gospels, and Bibles distributed from shanty to shanty and house to house through the snow. The opposition on the part of some was awful, but others received the Word gladly and became new creatures in Christ Jesus.

While they opened no missions at these places, they sowed the seed, and others followed to reap. There are now promising churches and missions in these places which were started since their first visit.

Their work was not confined to the Italians, but Mr. Nardi also preached to Americans everywhere he went.

They also visited Youngstown and spent one month in work for the Master there.

The Italian Evangelist 2j

The Italians in these towns were employed in quarrying stone and doing similar work, and lived in mere huts. One Sunday morning they went through the field of snow to the stone quarry to a little shanty where they found five Italians; one was rolling out the macaroni, and one was reading the Gospel. Mr. and Mrs. Nardi sat down on oil cans (chairs were not in evidence) and had a meeting with them.

Once when they had announced a meeting, the Italians prepared for the service by erecting an altar, draping it nicely, setting the cross on it, and lighting the candles, — and while they were waiting, they smoked in the same room. It showed their interest on one hand and their need to know the truth on the other.

Some of those who were converted returned later to Italy and have been among the Protestant leaders there. They carried the Gospel (their new-found treasure) to their loved ones in Italy, and some of the most substantial work there has been done by those converted in America.

Chicago

ARRIVING in Chicago, they inquired where the Italians had their settlement, and were told that they could find many of them on South Clark Street. Finding them in great numbers in the streets, they at once began their work among them in the open air.

While attending a noon-day prayer meeting, a Christian brother offered the use of the second floor of his coal office for a Mission to the Italians in "Hell's Half Acre," which was considered the worst part of Chicago. They accepted the offer and set about at once to get it in order, by cleaning, scouring, and whitewashing, until it was quite a nice hall. The neighborhood was so bad that the man did not want to rent those rooms to any one else, so he was glad to let it out free of charge as a Mission Hall. The first seats were made of planks which had been stored on the roof, and an old organ which they found about the building was their first musical instrument.

The first meeting was held on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Nardi went down on the streets and invited the men to come in and hear the

Gospel. They asked " Where?" and he said, "Come and see." Seven followed him, and he preached to them. The hall soon filled up, and the work grew rapidly. Some American ladies, who became interested in the work, wanted to do something for these needy people. They opened a Polytechnic school for the boys and girls in the neighborhood who were newsboys and girls and bootblacks, and also a kindergarten for the little ones in the mornings. Some of the workers from the Bible Society came down and opened a Sunday-school and a sewing school. So the work prospered. Much could be said about what God did among these Italians, if space permitted.

There were a few Evangelical families of the Waldensian Church of Italy who lived on the North Side of Chicago. Hearing of Mr. Nardi and the meeting, they came to the South Clark Street Mission and brought with them Italian hymn books. They then persuaded Mr. Nardi to come over on the North Side and hold meetings in their colony. For several weeks he preached to them in a Scandinavian Y. M. C. A. every Sunday night. This, however, was only a temporary abode.

About this time Mr. Nardi met Mr. Simmons, a godly man, Land Commissioner for the Northwestern Railroad, who used his influence to secure the R. R. Y. M. C. A. hall right in the vicinity of the Italians. They gave the hall, — heat, light, and all — free of charge for a few years, and it was here that the first Italian Church of Chicago was organized with a membership of 54, April 17th, 1892.

A large colony of Italians were found living on the Southwest side of Chicago. Mr. Nardi felt led of the Lord to open a work here. Renting a cottage of five rooms, he tore down all the partitions, making one large hall which seated 150 people. The rent was fifteen dollars a month.

Here they had much persecution from the Irish Catholics. But the Lord mightily blessed all three Missions. Here also the Bible Society workers came to their help, and soon there was a large Sunday-school, and sewing school, and evening classes in English where the Bible was the text-book. In this way many were caught in the net. Much might be said of the work done in these three Missions.

About this time they felt their need of a helper, and a Waldensian minister, Mr. Theophilus Gai from Italy, while in this country collecting money for the work in Italy, came to Chicago, and, hearing of the Italian work, came to visit Mr. Nardi. This was the first time Mr. Nardi had met a real Waldensian (that is, a Waldensian born). Mr. Gai went with Mr. Nardi from mission to mission and was greatly surprised at the power of God manifested among the Italians. Mr. Nardi asked him if he could send him a young man filled with the Holy Ghost who would come. He replied that he had a "real Barnabas" who had been in America but was now in Italy.

Up to this time the work had been done independently trusting only in the Lord, and appealing to no one for financial help.

The Work Taken Over by the Presbyterians

BUT now the work had become known to the Presbyterians, and they offered to take hold of it and pay the salary of the young minister when he would come. Ere long Mr. Grilli came from Italy and took hold of the work with great enthusiasm.

For some time it was felt that a building of their own on the North Side was needed. A Mr. Willing, of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, gave ten thousand dollars for this purpose, and a very neat church building was soon erected on West Ohio Street. The Mission then removed from the R. R. Y. M. C. A. hall to the new church.

Italian Work

THE Presbyterian Board of Chicago shortly after published the following report — in the Interior:

"The work among the Italians in our own Presbytery has two principal centers, the Italian church at 73 West Ohio street, near Halsted, and the Nardi Mission at 148 West Taylor street. The latter was named for Signor Nardi who was among the first to inaugurate Protestant mission work among the Italians in Chicago. The recital of the experiences of Signor Nardi since he first came to this country is in itself most interesting. Finely educated and an artist of note, he came to America to be an art critic. Arriving in New York City, his attention was arrested by the distress among his countrymen in and around Five Points, and he at once began the study of bettering their condition. The further he investigated, the more enthused he became and finally decided to abandon art for the time being. He submitted a plan to one of the eastern railroads to take a contract for building their road-bed using only Italians as laborers, himself superintending the work. His proposition was accepted; and although it created quite a furor among the Irish and American laborers, as many will recall, it was successfully carried out. At that time he refused all religions, even that of his mother country, and not until some months later did he accept Christ and his teachings. After studying under the direction of the Rev. A. B. Simpson of New York city, Mr. Nardi and his wife, also a student of Dr. Simpson's, began evangelistic work, coming to Chicago in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Nardi together with workers of the Chicago Bible society held meetings in cottages, on street corners, or visited from house to house, giving the gospel to Italians whenever opportunity presented itself, the Bible society furnishing tracts and portions of Scripture for distribution.