ANOTHER STANDARD BEARER FALLEN.
By I. D. Van Horn
Dr. Horatio S. Lay died in Battle Creek, Mich., at the home of his grandson, Roy L. Pierce, Feb. 25, 1900. Another faithful and tried servant of the Lord, a firm believer and worker in the Third Angel's Message, has been laid away to rest till the Life-giver comes. Dr. Lay was born July 18, 1828, in Cambria, N. Y. At the age of ten years he, with his father's family, moved to Erie, Pa. Having a strong desire for an education, he improved the first opportunity, by invitation of a physician to enter his office, where he advanced rapidly in the study of medicine. In time he entered the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated with high honors. Following this he was graduated at the Detroit Medical College. He came into western Michigan, and settled at Allegan, where he began the practice of medicine. Dr. Lay was married to Miss Julia M. Barber, Dec. 18, 1852. He was successful in his profession; but after ten years, on account of his wife's poor health, he took her to the “Home on the Hillside,” at Dansville, N. Y., where she could have the treatment of that institution, conducted by Dr. Jackson. She was benefited; and he gained a knowledge of the value of water treatment, diet, and other means of helping the sick, and of maintaining good health. After three-years' stay in that institution, he returned to Allegan, Mich., but was soon called to open and superintend the Health Reform Institute at Battle Creek, Mich., now grown to the world-renowned sanitarium. The Health Reformer began to be published, of which Dr. Lay was chosen editor, the first number being issued in August, 1866. He remained here four years, and then returned to Allegan, and resumed the practice of medicine. In 1880 he moved to northern Michigan, and settled in Petoskey, the famous Michigan resort. About 1856 Dr. Lay, under the labors of Elder M. E. Cornell, heard and accepted the doctrines of the Bible as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1884 he laid down the practice of medicine, and entered the ministry, becoming an efficient laborer in the Michigan Conference. Kind hearted, humble, and retiring in disposition, he found many friends, some of whom accepted Christ and his truth. In this work he was faithful in duty, at times even going beyond his strength. The loss of his faithful wife, in 1893, the breaking up of his home, and failing health, were some of the trials he had to meet. A little more than two years ago, through a severe attack of la grippe, consumption fastened upon him. As a result of his temperate habits of life, he was enabled to keep up and do some work till this winter set in. He gradually failed, yet was hopeful, having a cheerful trust in God. He peacefully fell asleep in Jesus at 10 A. M., Sunday, Feb. 25, 1900, at the age of 71 years, 7 months, and 7 days. He leaves four daughters to mourn their loss, but they sorrow not as those without hope. The funeral was held Monday, at 1 P. M., at the home where he died. The remains were accompanied by relatives to Petoskey, where he was buried by the side of his wife.