Young preachers, and men who have once been ministers, who have been coarse and rough in their manners, making expressions in their conversation which were not perfectly modest and chaste, are not fit to engage in this work until they give evidence of an entire reform. One word spoken unadvisedly may do more harm than a series of meetings held by them will do good. They leave the standard of truth, which should be ever exalted, lowered to the dust before the community. Their converts generally come up no higher than the standard raised for them by the ministers. Men who are standing between the living and the dead should be just right. The minister should not be off his guard for a single moment. He is laboring to elevate others by bringing them up upon the platform of truth. Let him show to others that the truth has done something for him. He should see the evil of these careless, rough, vulgar expressions, and should put away and despise everything of this character. Unless he does t…
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of ministers being examples in their conduct and conversation, which directly reflects the principle in 1 Timothy 4:12, urging Timothy to be an example in word, conversation, and purity.
"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
Both passages address the importance of controlling one's speech and the impact of words. James 3:2 speaks of perfection being tied to controlling one's tongue, while EGW speaks of the harm of unadvised words from ministers. The EGW passage applies the principle to ministers.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Both passages address the impact of a leader's actions and teachings on their followers. Matthew 5:19 speaks of the consequences of breaking and teaching others to break commandments, while the EGW passage speaks of ministers lowering the standard of truth and their converts not rising higher. There is a clear parallel in the impact of leadership.