Death of Chaplain Johann Martin and Bequest for the School in Glurns

Suppl. to the Catholic Papers from Tyrol 1847, No. 1.

Tyrol.

Meran, 28 Dec. 1846. (Corresp.) Ten days ago, the Rev. Mr. Johann Martin died here, former parish priest of Glurns and, since retiring from this pastoral post for health reasons, chaplain to the English Ladies in Meran for ten years. Already as parish priest of the aforementioned town, he dedicated all his love and attention to the local school, partly as a zealous catechist, partly through prize distributions which he funded largely from his own means, in the conviction that every gift from the hands of the pastor is the greatest encouragement to diligence for children. If the school of Glurns distinguished itself before many others at that time, so that it was declared a model school, a large share of this merit had to be attributed, alongside the excellent teacher Mr. Benedikt Holzner, to the zeal of the Rev. Mr. Martin. He also remembered this school in his will, bequeathing it a legacy of 300 fl. for school prizes. The citizens of Glurns will accept this gift from their former pastor with all the greater gratitude, as to our knowledge no such foundation exists among them. Perhaps through this donation they will feel encouraged to contribute from their own means and to restore the public and solemn prize distribution. Unfortunately, the necessary foundation funds are lacking for this in many of our municipalities. We also know that some clergy, out of certain considerations, do not wish to resolve upon introducing them. Yet apart from the fact that public reward is a powerful spur for youth, greater interest in schooling is thereby awakened in the community, and family and school are linked more closely together for the benefit of our educational system. In the face of this general benefit, special interests and narrow-minded sensitivities surely deserve no consideration.