Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-07-20
ReY. Thomas 7. Martin.

Oaie iOiiOWln2 article, illustrated
with photograph Of Mr.. Martin.
in its issue of July l2:
Rev. Thomas f. Martin, ID. ID.
rector emeritus of st. AIMS Epis-
copal Church and a man for whom
all Nashville entertained the high
est reverence and deepest love, has
passed to his rich reward.
This announcement will not come
as a surprise because for more than
week past DR.. Martins condition
had been hopeless and his death
was expected at any moment, yet
1t caused feelings of universal
sorrow, for no man stood i'm higher
regard among his fellow men than
did this noble, yet humble follower
of the Master.
DIR. Martin had been critically
iIl at the home of his son. Mr..
Charles ). Martin, 1904 McGavock
street, for more than week, and
during this time his children were
In constant attendance for they
were advised by attending physi-
clans that their venerable father
was rapidly approaching the end
OF his long and useful life.
Death came TO this man of God
as a sweet messenger Of peace. In
his last hours he suffered no pangs
of disease bet seemed to be gradu-
ally overcome by extreme exhaus-
ton, an evidence of the wearing
out of the physical organs. He
continued conscious up to the very
hour of his death, which came at
tive minutes past 10 o'clock last
night. For days he had realized
that the end was approaching, yet
he evinced no fear nor alarm, but
lay quietly waiting for the sum
mons, and when it came he met il
with a smile upon his face and
sank to rest as gently as a child
falls TO sleep in its mothers arms.
Last winter DIR. Martin suffered
two attacks of double pneumonia
and because of his advanced age il
was feared that he could not re-
cover, but with wonderful vitality
he withstood the ravages of these
attacks and regained to some extent
strength sufficient to permit him "a
leave his room occasionally, but his
physical condition was much week
ened and he was never after that
able to resume the active duties OF
life.
His lastappearance in public was
at the Diocesan Convention. held
at Christ Church during the early
spring when he insisted on being
carried into the church that h,
might respond to the roll call. fol
he believed then that this woulC
be the last convention he woulC
ever attend.
For twenty-five years DIR. Martin
served as rector of st. Ann'>
Church. He entered the rector
ship of that charge in the prime ot
life full of hope and faith in tn,
successful accomplishment of tn,
work he had been called To do, anC
) left it as an old man, but with tn,
full realization and assurance tina
his work there had not been in vain
He went out, it is true, as an ole
! man with locks tinged with tht
) SHOWS of many winters. but h,
/ worked thereafter aS a patriarch il
the eyes of his former parishiOner
/ and they loved that old man witt
the love of father, and now Il
r his work on earth has been finished
: and he has been called to his home
there is depicted sorrow upon tn
faces of his old flock as they @
about the streets of the city to-day
for they feel a deep sense of loss
even though they realize that thei
, friend has passed to a higher an
richer reward, which is vOuchsafe
5 all followers of the Man of GalIilee
3 such as was this man.
DR.. Martins record as rector q
St. AIMS Church was most re
markable for usefulness. He wa
= a man of the gentleSt nature an
attractive personality and this CAV
him an influence over his parish
toner's unequaled by any othe
minister who has served a churc
r in this city during the past ha
v century. His was loving mir
o istry. In its beginning he led hi
flock, though then small in nun
bers, in that gentle and quiet mar
ner which became in the years tn;
: followed TO be characteristic ,
n the man. He taught 10y eXampl