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172   STEPHEN KAIH.

pose, were greater tokens of respect shown by any community on taking leave of their head.
3. "Nearly the whole (at least two thirds) of the inhabitants of Monrovia, mean, women, and children, were out on this occasion, and nearly all parted from him in tears.  In my opinion, the hope of his return in a few months, alone enabled them to give him up. He is indeed dear to this people, and it will be a joyful day when we are permitted again to see him. He has left a written address containing valuable abmonitions to officers, civil, military, and religious."
4. Ashmun, after considerable detention in the West Indies, arrived at New Haven, Connecticut, the 10th of Eighth month, 1828, but so far exhausted as to continue but a short time.  A few days before his death, he said to his friend who attended him, "I have been praying for light, and a little light has come, cheering and refreshing beyond expression."
5. Requesting the prayers of the congregation, he said, "I have a desire to recover, but I do not wich that to be the burden of the prayer. Let it be that I may acquiesce entirely in the will of God, and have communion with God.  I wish the colony to be remembered ;" and as he spoke these words he wept.  "Excuse my weakness," said he, "there are many good people there, and they are so dear, that when I think of seeing them no more, my feelings are too strong." He gently expired the 25th of the same month, in the thirty-fifth year of his age.

STEPHEN KIAH.

It is due to the memory of this worthy man, to transmit, at least, a simple notice of his excellent character, to his descendants in this colony, and to all who may inherit after him the blessings of a civil and religious community, which his example, his influence, and above all, his prayers, have largely contributed toward establishing in this country.

STEPHEN KIAH.  173

2. He was a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, and for upward of the first seventy years of his life, he resided there.  It was his lot to be born a slave ; but long before the middle of life, by his industry and good conduct, he obtained his freedom, and became the father of a numerous and highly respectable family, the condition of whose birth spared them all from the reproach (however unjust) of vaing ever been in a state of servitude.
3. His age could not be exactly ascertained, but from circumstances he could not be supposed to be under seventy-six years of age, at the time of embarkation for Africa, in 1822 ; and, rarely as such circumstances occur, he at that time retained, under so great a weight of years, and even to the last hour of his life, much of that soundness of judgment, promptness of recollection, and strength of memory, which had distinguished him in an unusual degree through life. 
4. The traits of his character were happily blended, and formed together as assemblage of very striking excellences, to which none who knew him could long remain insensible. Cheefulness without levity ; kindness tempered with discriminating severity ; firmness joined with the most amiable docility, were among the most conspicuous. The manly firmness of inflexible principles, united with the lamblike meekness of a dependant and submissive child, were qualities, which, however opposite in their appearance, were most har-
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