One of the three Slovak patronage gymnasiums was in Martin. These three Slovak secondary Christian schools were established without the support from state. The gymnasiums were supervised by the so-called "patronage", headed by a committee that was lead by a chairman. The patronage was in charge of material supplement of the school. The chairmen were important personalities of the Slovak national life. Gymnasium in Martin was opened in 1867 as the second Lutheran patronage gymnasium. It educated students in their mother-tongue in democratic, Slavonic and national spirit. It had predominantly humanitarian character. Gymnasium was attended by 671 students, who came from...