Piltdown’s Annual Tea Meeting

140 Years Ago
Tunbridge Wells Journal
5 June 1884

PILTDOWN

The annual Tea Meeting and entertainment in connection with the “Disciples” meeting at Mount House Chapel Piltdown, took place on Whit-Monday.

The usual congregation was augmented by a number of friends from Brighton and Tunbridge Wells, and with beautiful weather, and a fine open common on which to stroll, and whereon cricket were played, a very pleasant day was spent.

About half-past four o’clock tea was partaken of in the chapel, which very prettily decorated under the direction of Mr T. Martin of Newick, the superintendent of the Sunday School, who was assisted by his boys and one or two adults. Tea over, games were resumed while the chapel was being prepared for the entertainment, which commenced at six o’clock.

Mr Richardson of London, presided and performed his duty In a very pleasant and affable manner, In his opening speech expressing his opinion that the Christian was the the man who could best and most thoroughly enjoy brotherly love giving the capacity for true enjoyment. He said God never intended us to go about with long faces and In whining tones to call ourselves miserable sinners, but was desirous that we should be happy. Some very appropriate remarks were also made by Mr Streeter, of Brighton who, in taking “Water” as the subject of his address made an eloquent appeal on behalf of more general use as Nature’s drink, and then went on to allude to the ‘Water of Life’ as God’s great gift to men.

The musical portion of the programme was under the direction of
Mr J. Brooker. The two recitations by Miss Streeter were warmly applauded, being given in excellent style.

The following was the programme—

Hymn—Prayer, Mr Streeter
Opening Address (ten minutes). Chairman
Anthem. ‘I was glad’, Members
Recitation, ‘The Lifeboat’, Miss Streeter.
Song, ‘The Festal Day’, School.
Reading, “There shall be no more sea” Mr J. Brooker.
Quartet, “My robe of life,” Mrs. I. and .J. Brooker, Harry Brooker, Mr T. Brooker, and Mr W. Dumsday
Recitation. “Chord of life” Harriet Penner,
Quartet, “Heaven”, Mrs G. Dumsday, H. Brooker. Messrs G and J. Dumsday.
Solo, “God make my life”, Willie Dumsday
Anthem, “0 Lord our governor”; Members.
Recitation. “Buried seeds”, Arthur Brooker.
Hymn, “A little pilgrim”, School.
Address, (ten minutes). Mr Streeter.
Quartet, “Where art thou?”; Miss L. Dumsday, H. Brooker, Messrs T Brooker and W. Dumsday.
Recitation, “Driven from Home”, Sidney Cheale,
Hymn, “Love at home”, School.
Anthem, “I will lift up mine eyes”, Members.
Recitation, “William Tell”, Albert Cheele.
Hymn, “The Gospel trumpet”, School.
Recitation, ‘Alice Lee’, Miss Streeter
Reading, “Elm Tree Hall”, Miss Lucy Pearce.
Anthem, “Wake the Song”, Members
Recitation. “Morning and Night”, Charlotte Brown.
Benediction.