Norwich bulletin., 1910-01-15

vile under jurisdiction of the New London custom house. Now these con- ditions have all changed, no importa- lions, no warehouses; and no fees for the collector of customs, although the duties and responsibilities of the col- iector are the same today as when col lectors received fees to the limit al- lowed by the department.
 With dozen or more regularly or- qanizcd churches and conducting reou- lar services 1t is not at all surprising that the city is gaining a wide reputa- tion for it's moral advancement, even if some of the preachers do occasionally declare that it is one of the wickedest cities in the universe. for even gentle men of the cloth may err in their judgment, especially if not based upon personal observation. While the churches are doing a great work in maintaining the moral standard of the city, there are other agencies working along similar lines and for the gen eral good of the city and the residents thereof, permanent or temporary.
 For years the Bradley Street mis- sion has been doing it's full proportion of the true Christian work and has not been confined alone to preaching, expe- rience talk and singing but the work CTS have gone forth In the highways and byWaYs, brought in the poor and needy, clothed and gave them bread, and some have found the path that led to the stool of repentance, men and women, as the case may be. rms mis- sion has been in existence for many years, and the amount of real good work that it has done cannot be com puted. Being located in the heart of what was once termed the TenderlOn district, where the singing of hymns and the songs of ribaldry in the imme- diate vicinity blended, there is no won der that reformation was accomplish ed, and New London Iis being classed in the list of truly moral cities.
 Down in Bank street other mission ary work is going on for the elevation of the morals of the city by members of these Christian bands going to the people and not waiting for the people to come to them to learn Of the narrow but sure path that leads to salvation and happiness. In that street is locat- ed the quarters of the Salvation Army, the Lighthouse Mission and the Cos pei mission. with continuous services every evening.
 There are few cities the size of New London which has such a large force of Christian workers. and their com -' bined efforts is perhaps the secret of New London being so near the top of the list of really moral cities, the envy of other cities that can be reached in less than a day on fast express trains.
 Of course the police have done just little in bringing about this pleasurable condition, and now there is report cur rent that the ancient curfeW law is to be enforced and significance given to the ringing of the bell in the belfry of the First Church of Christ every week night, except Saturday, at 9 o'clock, and on Saturday night just one hour earlier. New London is becom- ing so good that now there is actual talk of combining the churches where there is more than one of the same de- nomination. The First Baptist church has taken the initiative and is consid- ering the taking over of the Third Baptist church although the members of the latter church have not been con- suited in regard to the action as pro- posed. If this reform work continues 1t wilIa not be long in the future when churches of New London will have performed their mission in all its com- pleteness, and the acme of perfection finally reached.