familiar doubtless to many, of a Yorkshire farmer, who, in his zeal for missions, converted an ox horn into a receptacle for offerings to the cause, and had inscribed on it the following words :

:

"This horn once grew on the head of an ox, But now it is turned into a missionary box.' Our old friend thought this an excellent hint, and not only took advantage of, but endeavoured to improve on it. Accordingly, at the end of his address, having first mentioned that he was prohibited from producing a plate, he held up his scale, and extemporized nearly as follows:

'This plate is not a plate, for it is a scale,

And I hope that to put something on it you all will not fail.'

Having thus perorated, he took his usual stand at the door, and not only received pardon from his friend of the school-house for his ruse, but managed to collect from all present a tolerable amount for his beloved Society.

Amidst such labours, often really trying to one of his advanced age, but always cheerfully undertaken, and surrounded by many friendships and kind associations, did Nathanael Kronheim spend the last seventeen years of his life. To say that the entire period of his advocacy of the cause next to his heart was one of unruffled peace and prosperity, would be saying too much. The growing infirmities of age, and some peculiarities of habit and temper, which friends could understand and overlook, but which strangers might easily misapprehend, led to some difference with the managers of the Irish Auxiliary, some few years back, which issued in a temporary alienation or feeling between them and him. This caused his

labours, during the latter years of his agency to be confined almost exclusively to Ulster, where he was ever beloved and welcome. It is pleasant to have to record, however, that long before his removal from earth these passing clouds were withdrawn, and his real character appreciated, even by some who once misunderstood him.

About Easter, 1852, his health began visibly to decline. Mr. M'Ilwaine tells us :

"In the month preceding Easter, I accompanied him on his last deputation visit. It was a short one we went together to Lurgan, where a meeting had been arranged, and this was the last he attended. On our way he became seriously ill, and with difficulty was able to address the meeting. This, however, he was enabled to accomplish, and spoke with great feeling and effect in behalf of that cause and people whom he loved. He became entirely confined to his lodging from Easter."

As he had been present at the first sermon which Mr. M'Ilwaine preached at St. George's, Belfast, so was that Church the last place of public worship which he attended. On Easter-day of the past year he was present at morning service, and partook of the Lord's Supper. His minister and other friends remarked, that his looks were then singularly changed for the worse, and that he tottered on his limbs as he approached the Communion table. The fears to which this gave rise were too well founded. From the house of God he returned to his lodging, it may indeed be said, almost to his bed, which he never left, except to be seated in a chair, until his release from the long struggle which followed. His

attached friend and minister writes of this time

of suffering

"This was, I doubt not, God's chosen season for disciplining his aged servant in very many of the lessons which, during a long life of bustle and energy he was not prone or likely to learn. It was my great privilege to be often with him, in the seclusion of his sick-chamber, and to witness the development of this spiritual process. His attendant, a faithful female servant, often remarked the singular (may we not say the blessed?) change, which here manifested itself, even in little things. His sufferings were often very acute, as there was that long struggle between death and the vitality of a naturally strong constitution, which often issues in a painful amount of endurance. Yet he never uttered a His mind, at certain stages of his long confinement, became a good deal weakened, and wandered often considerably. But in all his occasional wanderings, the name of Jehovah and the thoughts of the Redeemer appeared present to his lips and heart.

murmur.

"On one occasion, when he was quite calm and collected, according to previous arrangement, I met with a few beloved friends in his apartment, and we partook together of the Lord's Supper. It was to us all a deeply affecting, and a very blessed means of grace. His old Jewish face seemed peculiarly venerable, and its expression was sweetly calm, when, with many tears, and taking leave of each, he blessed them, and praised the God of Abraham. Then, and at other times, his constant ejaculatory prayer was: Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'

"His weakness continued, and all could notice the daily approach of the last enemy;' but this was very gradual.

In

"At length, on the night of Monday, October 18th, 1852, I was summoned to his bedside. company with another friend, the Christian physician who had watched over him with the affection of a brother during his long illness, I commended him in prayer to God, in which he heartily and audibly joined. About midnight I took leave of my old friend, and felt the last kind pressure of his hand, although that hand was even then damp with the dew of death. A few hours afterwards Nathanael Kronheim was gathered to his fathers.'"

The Sunday following had been fixed on, some time before, for the Society's Anniversary Sermons, and the week after for the Meetings, in Belfast. Our departed friend's last available thoughts and exertions were occupied in planning and arranging for these.

The funeral took place on Saturday, Oct. 23rd; Mr. M'Ilwaine writes :

"His remains were borne to a quiet restingplace, in the country grave-yard of one whom our old friend loved much, the Rev. Thomas Thompson, of Derryaghy, near Lisburn, about six miles from Belfast. In the family-circle of Mr. Thompson, when worn by fatigue, or the care of his arduous office, he had often sought and always found a shelter and relaxation. It was the last place he so visited; and by his request his earthly remains were deposited in that quiet spot. His funeral was attended by several of the friends of the Jewish cause, who knew and valued the old advocate. In that remote and quiet spot are laid

all that was earthly of Joseph Nathanael Kronheim, with the humble, yet confident, expectation of meeting his renewed body and purified spirit, in the resurrection of the just, at the coming of the Lord Jesus with all His saints."

THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SOCIETY.

IN taking up the Report of a Religious Society, several questions present themselves :

1. What support has been given to enable it to carry out its benevolent designs?

2. How has this been employed?

3. What have been the results?

4. What are the prospects of the Society for the future?

Now, in looking into the Annual Report of the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, we find a full and encourag ing reply to all these questions.

1. AS TO THE MONEY CONTRIBUTED.

On this point the Committee say :--

"Amidst the multiplied calls upon the benevolence of the Christian public, it is with no small degree of satisfaction and gratitude to the Giver of all Good, that your Committee have to announce the state of the funds of the Society for the past year. They are as follows:

Total amount of Receipts £27,552 9 5

Besides this sum for the general and special Missionary objects of the Society, the sum of