Nor was it for new purchasers alone, that money came in.  More than one long outstanding account, accompanied by excuses for delayed payment, and assurances that it had not been possible to settle it sooner, enlarged the contents of the till; and the honest-hearted debtor, on whom this unwonted stream of money flowed in, was tempted every minute to call out, “It is the Lord.”

At length night came, when Loest and his literally worn out assistants, after having poured out their hearts in thankful adoration in family prayer, sat down to the first meal they had that day enjoyed in common.  When it was over, the brother and sister set themselves to count over the money which had that day been taken.  Each hundred thalers was set by itself, and the result showed six hundred and three thalers, fourteen silver groschen.

This was sufficient to pay the first debt due the next day, and leave but ten shillings and eight pence over, a trifle less than they commenced the day with.  Loest was lost in wonder and grateful emotion at this gracious testimony of how faithfully his Lord could minister to him in his earthly necessities.

“How countless must be the host of his ministering servants, seen or unseen, since He can employ some hundreds of them, and send them to buy of Daniel Loest to-day, or pay him that bill which thou owest.  What a wondrous God is ours, who in the government of this great universe, does not overlook my mean affairs, nor forget His gracious promise, ’Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.’”

Tuesday was a repetition of Monday’s splendid business, and brought in the five hundred thalers which he needed the next morning to pay off the mortgage of his friend’s house, due that day.

Wednesday’s sales gave him five hundred more thalers, which he was obliged to have ready to pay on Thursday morning into the court of trustees.

Thursday’s sales brought him four hundred thalers, just the amount he had given promise to pay the next day for goods delivered.

And Friday’s sales gave him just three hundred thalers with which to honor the widow’s demand on Saturday, to pay funeral and contingent expenses.

During these days of wonderful business and deliverances, after each indebtedness was discharged, there still was not left cash in hand a sum exceeding three to five dollars.

On Saturday morning, after he had sent the three hundred thalers to the widow, he had left precisely two thalers and twenty silver groschen (six shillings eight pence sterling), the smallest balance he had yet had; and what seemed most alarming, the rush to the shop seemed to be entirely over; for while during the five days past, he had had scarcely time to draw his breath from hurry and bustle, he was now left in undisturbed possession of his place.  Not a single customer appeared.  The wants of the vicinity seemed to have come to an end, for not a child even entered to fetch a pennyworth of thread, or a few ells of tape.  This utter cessation of trade was as unusual and out of the accustomed shop business, as the extra rush had been.