"“John Matteson. “Oakland, Wisconsin, July 15, 1867.” This dream gave me some encouragement. I had confidence in Brother Matteson. Before I saw him with my natural eyes, his case was shown me in vision, in contrast with that of F of Wisconsin. The latter was utterly unworthy to bear the name of Christian, much more to be a messenger; but Brother Matteson was shown me as one who possessed humility, and who, if he maintained his consecration, would be qualified to point souls to the Lamb of God. Brother Matteson had no knowledge of my trials of mind. Not a line had ever passed between us, and the dream coming when and from whom it did, looked to me like the hand of God reached forth to help me. 1T 599.1"
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The EGW passage explicitly states that Brother Matteson would be qualified to 'point souls to the Lamb of God,' which is a direct reference to John 1:29. This is more than a thematic parallel; it's a clear allusion.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage mentions humility as a key characteristic of Brother Matteson, aligning with the emphasis on meekness and lowliness in heart in Matthew 11:29. However, the connection is not direct or explicit, hence the slight reduction in confidence.
"We had the care of building with hired money, which caused perplexity. We kept up our appointments and labored extremely hard all through the hot weather. For want of means we went into the field together, hoeing, and cutting and raking hay. I took the fork and built the stack, while my husband, with his feeble arms, pitched the hay to me. I took the brush and painted the inside of much of our house. In these things we both wearied ourselves too much. Finally I suddenly failed and could do no more. For several mornings I fainted, and my husband had to attend the Greenbush grove meeting without me. 1T 599.2"
"In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
The EGW passage details the physical hardships and weariness experienced by Ellen White and her husband, which resonates with Paul's description of his own sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:27. While not a direct quote, the shared theme of enduring hardship for the sake of ministry is evident.
"Our old, hard-riding carriage had been well-nigh killing us and our team. Long journeyings with it, the labor of meetings, home cares and labors, were too much for us, and I feared that my work was done. My husband tried to encourage me and urged me to start out again to fill our appointments at Orange, Greenbush, and Ithaca. Finally I resolved to start, and, if I was no worse, continue the journey. I rode ten miles kneeling in the carriage on a cushion and leaning my head upon another in my husband's lap. He drove and supported me. The next morning I was some better and decided to go on. God helped us to speak in power to the people at Orange, and a glorious work was done for backsliders and sinners. At Greenbush I had freedom and strength given me. At Ithaca the Lord helped us to speak to a large congregation whom we had never met before. 1T 599.3"
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
The EGW passage describes a situation where Ellen White and her husband experienced hardship and then were enabled by God to minister effectively. This aligns with the theme of 2 Corinthians 1:4, where God's comfort in tribulation enables believers to comfort others. The connection is thematic, not a direct allusion.
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
The EGW passage describes a time of physical and emotional burden, and the verse from Psalms speaks of casting burdens on the Lord for sustenance. While not a direct quote or allusion, the theme of relying on God during hardship connects the two.