ndred thalers early on Saturday to me, for
there are accounts constantly pouring in on me, and the funeral
expenses," here her voice faltered. "It shall be cared for," said Loest,
and he withdrew, not having had opportunity to utter one word as to the
business that took him thither. He had failed at every turn; not one
thing was for him, all seemed against him. But though the waves surged,
and rose, and oppressed, yet they did not overwhelm his hope; the more
the discouragements, the greater became his faith that all things were
appointed for his good, and thought he could not guess, yet even the
trial would result by God's own working hand, to the honor and glory of
his great name.

Yet here was his situation. _Six hundred thalers to be paid on Tuesday,
five hundred on Wednesday, five hundred on Thursday, four hundred on
Friday, three hundred Saturday morning, and three hundred on Saturday
afternoon; in all, two thousand six hundred thalers_. It was already the
Saturday just previous, and his purse contained _only four thalers_.
There was only one prospect left, and he went to a rich money lender,
and in response to his request for relief in money difficulties, was met
with this reply of irony and sarcasm from one who loved to indulge his
enmity to the Christian faith. "_You in money difficulties, or any
difficulties, Mr. Loest! I cannot believe it; it is altogether
impossible! you are at all times and in all places boasting that you
have such a rich and loving Master! Why don't you apply to him now_."
And the unseen face could not conceal his pleasure at this opportunity
of testing a Christian.

Loest turned away; hard as the random taunt and remark of his opponent
was, yet it recalled him to a sense of his duty, and his forgetfulness
of the fact that he had not hitherto asked of God for special help in
this circumstance. With cheerful steps he hurried home, and in long and
imploring prayer, asked for help and forgiveness in this, his neglect of
trust in one so rich and generous. He was refreshed and comforted, and
the Sunday was one of peace and sweetness. He knew and felt assured,
"_That the Lord would provide_."

The eventful week opened, and on Monday he arose with a cheerful thought
in his heart; ere he had had full time to dress, he noticed with great
surprise, that both his sister and the assistant in the store, seemed,
notwithstanding the earliness of the hour, to have full as much as they
could do in servi