"December 14 he was taken worse, and I was called up. As I listened to his labored breathing and felt his pulseless wrist, I knew that he must die. The icy hand of death was already upon him. That was an hour of anguish for me. We watched his feeble, gasping breath until it ceased, and could but feel thankful that his sufferings were ended. When my child was dying, I could not weep. My heart ached as though it would break, but I could not shed a tear. At the funeral I fainted. We were disappointed in not having Brother Loughborough to conduct the funeral services, and my husband spoke upon the occasion to a crowded house. We then followed our child to Oak Hill Cemetery, there to rest until the Life-giver shall come, to break the fetters of the tomb and call him forth immortal. 1T 246.1"
"But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."
Both passages deal with the death of a child and the acceptance that the child will not return. David's statement reflects a similar sentiment to EGW's acceptance of her child's death and the hope of reunion in the future. The connection is thematic, focusing on the finality of death and the hope of a future reunion.
"After we returned from the funeral, my home seemed lonely. I felt reconciled to the will of God, yet despondency and gloom settled upon me. We could not rise above the discouragements of the past summer. From the state of God's people we knew not what to expect. Satan had gained control of the minds of some who were closely connected with us in the work, even of some who had been acquainted with our mission and seen the fruit of our labors, and who had not only witnessed the frequent manifestation of the power of God, but had felt its influence upon their own bodies. What could we hope for in the future? While my child lived, I thought I understood my duty. I pressed my dear babe to my heart and rejoiced that at least for one winter I should be released from any great responsibility, for it could not be my duty to travel in winter with my infant. But when he was taken from me, I was again thrown into great perplexity. 1T 246.2"
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
The EGW passage describes a sense of discouragement and spiritual struggle, while Ephesians 6:12 speaks of a spiritual battle against dark forces. The connection lies in the underlying theme of spiritual warfare and the challenges faced by those working for God. The discouragement EGW feels is attributed to Satan's influence, aligning with the broader concept of spiritual warfare.