"The experience of the former year was, however, repeated to a greater extent. A large class renounced their faith. Some, who had been very confident, were so deeply wounded in their pride that they felt like fleeing from the world. Like Jonah, they complained of God, and chose death rather than life. Those who had built their faith upon the evidence of others, and not upon the word of God, were now as ready to again change their views. The hypocrites, who had hoped to deceive the Lord as well as themselves with their counterfeit penitence and devotion, now felt relieved from impending danger, and openly opposed the cause they had lately professed to love. 1T 56.1"
"Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live."
The EGW passage explicitly mentions Jonah and his desire for death, directly referencing the sentiment expressed in Jonah 4:3. This is a clear and intentional allusion.
"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:"
The EGW passage describes those who built their faith on the evidence of others rather than the word of God, and then renounced their faith. This is similar to the idea of building a house on sand, which will not stand when the storms come. The connection is thematic, focusing on the importance of a solid foundation.
"We were disappointed, but not disheartened. We resolved to submit patiently to the process of purifying that God deemed needful for us, and to wait with patient hope for the Saviour to redeem His tried and faithful ones. 1T 56.3"
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;"
Both passages connect tribulation/disappointment with patience. The EGW passage speaks of disappointment and resolving to submit patiently, while Romans 5:3 states that tribulation worketh patience. This is a clear thematic parallel.
"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
Both passages emphasize the importance of patience and its perfecting work. EGW speaks of submitting patiently to a process of purifying, while James 1:4 states that patience should have her perfect work. The connection is thematic and meaningful.
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
Both passages discuss the trial of faith and its purifying effect, with the expectation of a future reward or appearance of Jesus Christ. The EGW passage speaks of 'purifying' and 'tried and faithful ones,' echoing the sentiment of 1 Peter 1:7 about faith being 'tried with fire' and found unto 'praise and honour and glory' at Jesus' appearing.