SOCIETIES. 299 



Nantucket Union Temperance Society. 



This society was formed in 1876, on the principles of 

 total abstinence from all that intoxicates. It boasted 

 at one time of a membership of over one thousand. 

 Weekly meetings have been held, and at times semi- 

 weekly and tri-weekly. Their meetings are held at the 

 town hall on Wednesday evenings, when a variety pro- 

 gramme is generally presented for the amusement of 

 the public. These programmes are in charge of a 

 committee of several members of the society, who 

 alternate in arranging them for successive weekly meet- 

 ings, and each tries to outdo the rest. To an outsider, 

 more attention appears to be given to pleasing the peo- 

 ple with fine music and reading than the more serious 

 subject of getting the poor drunkard on his feet and 

 keeping him there. Nobody now asks after temperance 

 meeting, u Who signed the pledge?" but " Who had 

 the programme? " 



The officers of the society are Allen Coffin, presi- 

 dent; John Gray, secretary; Mrs. Mary F. Coffin, 

 treasurer. 



Union Benevolent Society. 



Mrs. Joseph Winslow has kindly furnished the fol- 

 lowing in relation to this worthy charity: — 



The Union Benevolent Society has been in existence 

 sixteen years, and was formed for the sole purpose of 

 assisting children, and making them presentable at 

 week-day and Sunday schools. The society is com- 

 posed of forty lady members, who represent all of the 

 religious denominations upon the island, and have had 



