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STAPLEHURST.
THE LATE MR. ERSKINE PIPER.
The. widespread esteem and respect entertained for Mr. Erskine Piper, of Matfield House, Staplehurst, was evidenced on the afternoon of Thursday, March 27th, when his mortal remains were laid to rest In the Churchyard of Staplehuirst Parish Church. Mr. Piper was the second of the four children of Mr. George Piper, of Mayneid. Sussex, where he was born 66 years ago. He entered the grocery and provision trade under Mr. Crandall, of Chiddingstone. where he remained for a period of seven years. After drapery experience near London, he took a business at Maiheld Green, which be conducted until 1886. when be came to Staplehurst, on purchasing the lase Mr. Nathan Weston's grocery, drapery and general business. This he maintained and extended and meanwhile found time to take an part in various public and duties. lie was a member of Stapiehurst Parish Council, an overseer, a school manager, and a trustee of the Gibbons and other charittes, bolls in Staplehurst and surrounding parishes. His sympathy and consideration for the poor was marked by numerous kindly acts wrought in a private wad tuiosteutatious manner, and his kindly , and sincere advice was often sought by those .In trouble. lie took an :intellectual and broadminded view on questions of politics and religion, and ever ready to co-operate with his fellow inhabitants of varying convictions, and thought in movements promoted for the common good. Mr. Piper's death will be keenly felt by the congregation and members of the Staplehurst Baptist Chapel, with which he had been actively associated for. over 30 years. He was appointed deacon 13 years ago and had been a trustee of the Chapel pruper:y for many years. The fulteral service in the usapel and at the graveside was conducted :by Mr. F. Kirby, the pastor. It commenced with the singing of the hymn "Why do we mourn departed frtendsr The Pastor then read the opening sentences of the burial service, and the lesson, and delivered a solemn address. He referred to the integrity of character of the deceased, and emphasised that the presence of so large a congregation signified the widespread esteem and respect in which Mr. Piper was held. He would be greatly missed, sod the widow, son and relatives would have sympathy of all who had come into contact wan him. They did not sorrow as those without hope, but were committing to the grave a loved friend in the sure and certain hope of a glorious Resurrection. The death of Mr. Piper, alter only a few weeks' illness, reminded all that to each would come weir turn. High and low, rich and poor, each some day would face the grim monster Death, and he (the speaker) trusted that they would meet and overcome this last enemy as Mr. Piper had done in the full assurance of dying in Christ, After a short prayer and the singing of the hymn. "The Spirits of the Just.," the body of the departed was conveyed to the Churchyard, the cortege being preceded by the Parish Council and School Managers and followed by the relatives and friends, the officiating pastor giving a faether brief address. The grave in what is known as the new ground of the Churchyard, and was lined with Ivy. The chief mourners were: Mrs. Piper (widow), Mr. H. J. Piper (son), and Miss M. Weeks, Mr. and Mrs. A. Piper, Hawkhure (brother). Mr. and Sirs. Dann, Paddock Wood.l Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe, Matneld, Mr. and Mrs. ,1 L. Thirkell, YeicLing, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Pfeil.' Mr. and Mrs. I'. E. Prall, Matfleid, Mitre J. L. Pratt. Miss R. J. Praia, Matfield (brothers and sistersen-law), Mr. J. A. Dann (nephew), Min E. A. Dann, and Mr. and airs. F. Gibson (nieces). Mr. Guest (Mayfield), Miss F. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Weeks, Miss E. Weeks, Mrs. R. L. Weeks, Mr. Henry Reader, Mr. and Mrs. A. Thirkell, Mr. and Mrs. H. Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Boorman, Miss Moore, Miss Barnes. Miss Durey, Mr. and Mrs. Heathfield, Mrs. Mulvey, Miss Taylor, Mrs. Thompsett, Hue Staines. Among others present either in the Chapel or at the graveside were: Miss Bourne (representing the Rector of Staplehurst), Mr. J. Hanmer. J.P., Rev. Thomas Thatcher, Mr. Thomas Reeves, Mr. Field, Mr. Steele, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Veall, Mr. J. Scott. Mr. F. Pope, Mr Jull (members of Parish Council and School Managers), Mr. Hum'thorns, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, Miss Pounds, Mrs. Wickinge, Mr. Mercer; also many members of the congregation of Providence Chapel; and others. The arrangements were admirably carried out by the undertaker, Mr Wickings. |
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