The French New Testament, stereotyped at Paris. 47 Which bears man onward to eternity, And safely landed on that peaceful shore And sweet communion that shall never end. MR. LEO'S STEREOTYPE NEW TESTAMENT. The Editor of the Christian Herald has received from the Rev. Frederick Leo, a copy of the stereotype edition of the New Testament in French, of Le Maistre de Sacy's version, which that indeiatigable and worthy friend to the Bible interest has lately caused to be executed at Paris. The Plates were cast at the celebrated foundry of Mr. Firmin Didot. The book forms a volume of 534 large Octavo pages, in pica type. The execution of the whole work is in a style of superior merit. It exhibits an elegant and excellent specimen of French typography, which reflects honor not only on the artists, but on the country which produced it. Mr. Leo's zeal for the propagation of revealed truth has been abundantly manifested by his unwearied labors for six years past in the metropolis of France to procure stereotype plates of the Holy Scriptures, in order to facilitate their circulation by furnishing them at as low a price as possible; and his disinterestedness has been equally conspicuous, in his having gratuitously devoted the greater part of his time during the period above mentioned to the advancement of this beneficent object. He has been aided in his labour of love by the voluntary contributions of several individuals and Societies, friendly to the cause, in that and other countries. The above New Testament is afforded on fine paper paper at 31 francs (63 cents) in sheets, and 4 francs (87 cents) in boards. In May 1812, Mr. Leo issued proposals for obtaining by subscription the means of procuring stereotype plates for the New Testament in French, of Ostervald's version. In June 1813, he had finished the work, and the printing of the first edition. The British & Foreign Bible Society, in 1814, contributed five hundred pounds sterling to aid in printing a new edition from the same plates. By a communication which the Editor has lately received from Mr. Leo, it appears, that he had in July last completed the printing from those plates of thirteen thousand copies, all of which were then in circulation. Shortly after the publication of the first edition of the above work, Mr. Leo, at the suggestion of a number of persons, chiefly Roman Catholics, was induced to undertake the procuring of a set of stereotype plates for the New Testament in French, of the version above mentioned of M. de Sacy, who more than a century ago furnished a liberal translation of the whole Bible from the Vulgate edition, which was approved by the Roman Catholic authorities of France. The translation of Mr. de Sacy, 48 Rev. F. Leo's stereotype New Testament. who was a good Scholar, having been written in the Augustan age of French literature, and being more free from the idiomatic phraseology of the original languages, with which the more literal versions abound, and to which the French tongue cannot easily accommodate itself, this new work is more likely to be acceptable to the French Catholics, and to obtain a more extensive circulation than the other. In the prosecution of this benevolent enterprise, Mr. Leo has had to contend with many difficulties, which have called into exercise some of the christian graces with which he seems to have been eminently blessed, and by means of which alone he could have been enabled to accomplish his arduous undertakings in such a country and under such circumstances as those in which he was called to perform them. Among the modes of opposition which the enemies to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures have devised to obstruct his labours, we observe one lately used by the editor of an Ecclesiastical Journal, called "The Friend of Religion and of the King," which was evidently designed to level a fatal blow at the whole work in which Mr. L. is so usefully engaged. The writer not only calls in question the correctness of the version used, but, in the most illiberal and indecorous manner, represents Mr. Leo as a dangerous deist. We are pleased to observe, in another Paris journal, that calumnious aspersion, both upon the work and the religious sentiments of Mr. Leo, very justly and honourably refuted; and Mr. Leo himself, in his answer to this abusive personal attack, replies with a forbearance, a meekness, and a dignity which furnishes the Christian public with an unequivocal test whereby to judge which is the greatest friend to religion, the accuser or the accused. In a letter which we have recently received from Mr. Leo, he mentions a fact which has tended to afford him much encouragement under his trials. The Minister of the Interior had lately honoured him with a private audience, and on behalf of the king, had presented him with one thousand francs, to aid in the printing and circulation of his stereotype New Testament. His Excellency promised to send some copies of the book into the Provinces, in order to make his biblical institution better known. Mr. L. also mentions another grant of five hundred pounds sterling received from the British and Foreign Bible Society on account of his new work. Will not the Christian people of the United States also do something to aid that zealous servant of Christ in promoting so laudable an undertaking? We hope that the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society will, according to its ability, contribute 2 liberal assistance towards advancing the object of Mr. Leo's labours. We have a document containing a number of interesting particulars respecting the history of Mr. Leo, (obtained from the most authentic source,) the details of which, for want of room, we must defer to another number of this publication. THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. VOL. IV.] Saturday, October 18, 1817. AUXILIARY COLONIZATION SOCIETY. (No. 4. A number of gentlemen met in WINCHESTER, (Virginia,) September 20, 1817, for the purpose of forming themselves into a Society for Colonizing the free people of colour, auxiliary to the mother Society in Washington, when the Rey, Wm. Hill* was called to the chair, and the Rev. Wm. Meadet appointed Secretary. The following articles of association were then adopted-viz. ART. 1.-This Society shall be called "THE AUXILIARY SOCIETY OF FREDERICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA, FOR COLONIZING THE FREE PEOPLE OF COLOUR OF THE UNITED STATES." ART. 2.-Its object shall be to co-operate with the Parent Society at the seat of government, and with the general government itself, in settling a colony in Africa, or elsewhere, for the reception of free people of colour who may be induced to migrate to such place. ART. 3-Every person who shall annually contribute two dol lars shall be a member of this Society, and the payment of forty dollars at one time shall constitute a member for life. ART. 4.-The officers of this Society shall be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and six other managers; a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. ART. 5.-The officers shall be elected at the annual meetings of the Society. ART. 6.-It shall be the duty of the President to call meetings of the Society and of the managers, to preside at the same, and any three of the officers or managers may require him to have a meeting. ART. 7.--In the absence of the President the Secretary may fulfil his duties. ART. 8. The Secretary shall take minutes of the proceedings, prepare and publish notices, and attend to such other business as the President and Board shall direct. ART. 9. The Treasurer shall receive and keep all monies bestowed on the Society, and appropriate them as directed, and shall annually, or as often as required, exhibit an account of them to the Board. ART. 10. The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be on the 1st aturday of November in every year. 1 ART. 1. The articles of this Association shall be subject to such alterations or amendments, as any future meeting of the Society may judge necessary. On motion-Resolved, ist -That this meeting forbear to choose its officers and managers before the first Saturday of November *Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Winchester. Rector of Frederick Parish-residing at Milwood. Ꭰ 50 Address of the Auxiliary Colonization next, when it is expected the number of members will be mack increased. Resolved, 2d-That the President and Secretary chosen at this meeting, shall continue in office and manage the business of the Society, till the officers shall be chosen in November next. Resolved, 3d-That the following address be made by the Society to the public on the subject. (CIRCULAR.) An attempt was made some weeks ago to obtain a meeting of the citizens of Winchester and its vicinity, to take the important subject of colonizing the free people of colour into consideration; but it was defeated by an unusual fall of rain, which took place at the time proposed. A few individuals, however, who felt interested in the success of this important enterprise, commenced a subscription, with the view of ascertaining what was the disposition of our fellow-citizens towards it, and how far they would exert themselves, and contribute funds, to promote its benevolent object. Thus far we are greatly encouraged, to proceed, having with little solicitation, obtained near five thousand dollars, with the prospect of considerable additions. Supposing that a concise view of the arguments in its favour, and a plain statement of our plans and hopes, might aid the good cause in which we have embarked, the present meeting have determined very briefly to address the public upon this subject. It would be utterly impossible to do tolerable justice to the subject in the narrow limits which we shall be compelled to prescribe to ourselves; for a volume would scarcely suffice to enumerate all the reasons in favour of it, all the advantages which promise to attend it, and at the same time, to clear the subject of all those errors, prejudices, and misrepresentations, which education, long habits of thinking, interest, ignorance, or infidelity have thrown around it. Having in our hearts the love of mercy and justice, and the fear of God, who hath made of one blood all the nations who dwell upon the face of the earth, and wishing well to the interest of that Saviour who laid down his life a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, we must acknowledge that the proposition before the public is most desirable, and well worthy of a trial. The proposition is simply this: To endeavour to obtain a territory on the coast of Africa, where a Colony may be settled of such people of colour as are now, or who may hereafter be liberated, and who, with their own consent, shall migrate to the place procured. If such an object can be accomplished, we cherish a pleasing hope that a great blessing will be conferred on mankind generally, but especially on the two continents most concerned, Africa and America. But a consideration, which should weigh with peculiar force with us in this part of the world, is, that, by this expedient, our Southern and Western States might, in time, be released from one of the most dreadful evils which was ever entailed upon any portion of the world. We cannot, in this scheme, be charged with a wild enthusiasm, or a desire of revolu Society of Frederick County, (Virginia.) 51 tion, without having noble sharers in the charge. The general government, and many of the State Legislatures where this evil exists, and an host of wise heads and good hearts, at one and the same time, have been impressed with the duty, importance, and practicability, of such a measure. All these seem to have caught the inspiration of that good spirit which is now going through the world, and is disposing all hearts to charity and beneficence. Our own state, which has ever been alive to this subject, has now be come still more zealous; and has commissioned the general government to take such steps as shall be deemed adviseable for effecting this important measure. A Society, to act in conjunction with the government, has been formed at Washington, and enrols amongst its members and officers some of the most prominent characters in the Southern and Western States. This Society recommends the formation of auxiliary societies throughout the country in aid of its designs. Funds are wanting, and now called for, to commence the work; and it is hoped that the call will not be heard in vain. We shall now, with all possible brevity, state some of the advantages of the plan proposed, show its practicability, and answer some of the objections which have been made to it. Surely it would be a needless waste of time and words, to attempt to prove the advantage of removing from among ourselves, situated as we are, a species of population as distinct from ourselves as their situation is unfavourable to our interest, and to their own virtue and happiness. A class of our inhabitants called freemen-but without many of the dearest rights of freemen; whọ have the mere name without the reality; whom their former masters wished and endeavoured to make happy, but to whom we dare not allow many of the means of respectability and happiness; and who are consequently kept in a degraded and despised state and condition. Their state is truly a pitiable one; and most devoutly is it to be wished, that they could be transplanted into a soil more congenial to their own happiness, and more favourable to their improvement in the arts and sciences, and all the comforts and blessings of life. Of this description of persons there are some hundred thousands in our country; and we believe there would have been some hundred thousands more, were it not that the wretched condition of those already amongst us, often more vicious and deplorable than slaves themselves, prevented their benevolent owners from yielding to the impulse of their scruples and wishes, and granting them liberty. The great and good Washington, notwithstanding this objection, bequeathed freedom to all of his slaves; and many others followed the example: but the wretched, indolent, and plundering character, which they have since borne, has quite sickened the country of this plan. Our State Legislature, though not denying to its eitizens the right of obeying conscience, has yet trammelled the right with so many restrictions and prohibitions, as to send them like so many Cains, wandering through the earth in quest of a home and finding none. If detected within their own state more |