"Everybody," continued he, "who loves God has had two birthdays in their history: the first, when they were born into this world; the second, when God opened their eyes by His Holy Spirit to know and love Him in believing on His dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. For those who, in the power of this new birth, have entered the true life of the children of God there can be no doubt; for, when their earthly life is over, God will Himself open to them the gate of everlasting life. I want you all to remember about this wonderful soul-birth. You may all of you have it if you will, for the Holy Spirit waits to breathe upon you the breath of life; and God has promised to give that blessed Spirit to those who ask—'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' May our heavenly Father, who loves you, bless you one and all."
Clarice stood by her father to shake hands with everyone as they went away; and in that calm summer evening, as the happy village folk wended their way to their several homes, that message of peace and goodwill echoed in their hearts, causing many of them to covet earnestly the best gift—that blessing of the Lord which maketh rich, adding no sorrow with it.
"'Truly the Lord is good,' 'and His tender mercies are over all His works,'" said old Jonathan to himself as he lifted the latch of his cottage door, after bidding good-night to the last straggler at the gate.
It was not till the festivities of the birthday were over, that Clarice returned to the dining room to fetch her presents from the side table, where she had left them in the morning. She began gathering them up one by one, and only lingered yet another moment to unsnap her purse, and take one more look at her golden sovereign. It was gone! The pretty purse was quite empty. A look of dismay crossed the hitherto untroubled face; tears welled quickly into the blue eyes, and, a few minutes after, the little birthday queen was sobbing bitterly in her mother's arms.
"Oh, mamma! You don't know how dreadful it is to bear, because I can't tell you my secret. Who can have touched it? I put it so carefully into the purse this morning. Surely nobody can have come in from the garden to steal it!"
The poor excited child was gradually soothed and calmed, till nurse, with a pitying look, suggested she should go to bed. The search continued through the house. The servants were diligently questioned, and all set to work to look for the lost money, but in vain.
"Little missy must have thought she put it back into the purse," said cook, who, down on her knees, feeling all over the dining room carpet, was foremost in the search. "It must have rolled away into a corner."
Poor little Clarice dried her tears, and said good-night to her father with a desperate effort. She knew well that no one could be more sorry than he that a dark cloud should have come to overshadow her happy birthday. Yet when the nursery door was shut, and Milly asleep, another shower of tears wetted the tired child's pillow ere she sank into forgetfulness of her trouble.
"I never heard before that a piece of money had legs to walk away upon," said Jonathan the next morning, as the tale of the lost sovereign was repeated to him by cook. "Let those who hide find, say I."
"You don't suppose the thief is In the house!" replied the woman tartly. "I am as honest as yam, old Jonathan."