Norwich bulletin., 1911-09-30

was need for steam fire engine in
 the Northwest section where there is
 low water pressure, and it was there
 where the Nameaug steamer was To-
 cated for years before it was finally
 condemned. There is no doubt but
 the great majority who voted in the city meeting supposed they were vot- ing for steam fire engine to be To- cated in that section. especially as the salaries were increased $500 to pay for the services of an engineer and fire man for the steam fire engine.
 Now there is well defined story in
 circulation that although a steam fire <ep zine was plainly specified in the budget, that instead of the purchase of alt apparatus of that description
 bile and hose and chemical wagon is to be purchased and placed in a more centrally located fire house, not that such an apparatus is needed there more than steam fire engine on the Northwest, but that the influence is greater from d political standpoint. It is argued by the opponents of the scheme that the citizens voted the ap- propriation for a steam fire engine and that the court of common council or any committee Hereof has no right to divert that appropriation to any other purpose.
 Rev. James Wilson BixIer, for twen- ty years the satisfactory pastor of the Second Congregational church, and one of the most popular preachers that ever aided in the uplifting of the peo- pie in New London, has been invited to accept the chair of theology and Christian doctrine in Atlanta semi nary. The reverend gentleman is con- sidering the matter and it is the all most unanimous wish of the people without regard to denomination that ha will Garida remain ri p harQ among his friends, where his inf1u- ence for good is incalculable. He is of the type of Christian gentlemen that does not consider it essential to true piety to go about the streets with bowed head, with solemn visage and looking neither to the right nor the left ill order to demonstrate his calling. On the contrary, he shows the eXem- plification of true Christian happiness iii his sunny disposition, his cheery salutation and his free and open good fellowship. Dr. Bixler is interested not only in the spiritual but in the physical progress of New London and is of the class of citizens that cannot be spared from the community.
 He is ever ready to respond to calls to aid as a clergyman outside of his pastoral duties and has favored with his presence many public, semi public and private functions. including some of a purely social tendency. At much personal inconvenience he has assist ed tc make succes ssfuI by his presence and his speech banquets given by local organizations that are not in the clos est touch with the church he so ably represe nts, which is evidence of his, democratic makeup and which adds so much to his popularity. On the oc- casion of the fiftieth anniversary of one of the local fire companies, Rev. MT. Bixler offered the prayer at the banquet and responded to the toast to the churches. He was SC much ap- preciated by the members that on a subsequent Sunday evening the mem bers arranged to attend the Second Congregation church in a body. unusual in New London and on that occasion the reverend gentle man gave a sermon appropriate to the ooca sion, and which had influence with the flremen.
 Although this occurrence was ten years ago, it has been the subject of conversation ever since among the firemen who attended the service. This is only one of the many instances where Pastor Bixler made life friends outside of the membership of the Seccnd Congregational church. Rev. MT. Bixler has declined offers 10 go elsewhere since he came to New London and his friends hope that this tates- offer will be rejected with thanks and filed away with those that have been received before.