The word "offence" really signifies an obstruction, a stumbling-block placed in the way which causes one to fall. In a spiritual sense it signifies a temptation, a falling from grace, a seducing from the path of righteousness to a life of wickedness. To "give offence," or to "offend," therefore means to tempt and seduce one to do evil, to become wicked. When it is said that "offences come by" some one, it means that one tempts and seduces others to become wicked. No offences should come by us Christians, by children of God; we should give offence to no one, offend no fellow-man. Neither by word nor by behaviour, neither by speech nor by example, should we offend any one, that is, tempt, or seduce one to become wicked, to fall into unbelief and sin, or to remain in unbelief and sin and be hardened in it. On the contrary, we have learned that we should be the salt of the earth. The Apostle says: "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good, to build him up." (Rom. 15:2) Hence, if we offend any one, we set ourselves in direct opposition to our Christian calling. And our Saviour says: "Woe to that man by whom the offence comes"! And furthermore: "Whoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matt. 18:6) Let us; therefore, beware of giving offence to anybody! And if by reason of the weakness of our flesh and blood we have in any way done this, let us hasten, hasten, HASTEN to remove the offence by a penitent and unreserved confession.