Page:Memoirs of the Lives.djvu/48

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ry or otherwise, which did not proceed from the heart. As he was once walking from his home to Philadelphia, he was met by several persons on horseback, who unwisely expected he would afford them diversion. One of the party stopped him with this salutation—"Sir, your humble servant"—Lay looked upon the stranger and said."If thou art my humble servant, clean my shoes." Not sufficiently ascertained of his character, by that remark, they tauntingly inquired of him which was the direct route to heaven? Lay promptly replied—"Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" They were then satisfied without further interrogation, and left him, evidently mortified at their impotent efforts to produce idle merriment, by insult upon real virtue.

He always travelled on foot, and made frequent visits in the neighbourhood, as well as at a considerable distance from home; having once walked to Philadelphia, with an intention of conversing with an individual of considerable note, he found the family, on