"Why will mothers be so blind and negligent in the education of their daughters? I have been distressed, as I have visited different families, to see the mother bearing the heavy burden, while the daughter, who manifested buoyancy of spirit and had a good degree of health and vigor, felt no care, no burden. When there are large gatherings, and families are burdened with company, I have seen the mother bearing the burden, with the care of everything upon her, while the daughters are sitting down chatting with young friends, having a social visit. These things seem so wrong to me that I can hardly forbear speaking to the thoughtless youth and telling them to go to work. Release your tired mother. Lead her to a seat in the parlor and urge her to rest and enjoy the society of her friends. 1T 683.1"
"But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."
Both passages address the issue of women's roles in household duties and the imbalance of labor. EGW's passage echoes the sentiment of Martha's complaint about Mary not helping with the serving.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
Both passages emphasize the importance of a woman's role in managing the household and avoiding idleness. EGW's passage expands on the practical aspects of this, particularly in relation to cooking and its impact on family health.
But the daughters are not the ones to be blamed wholly in this matter. The mother is at fault. She has not patiently taught her daughters how to cook. She knows that they lack knowledge in the cooking department, and therefore feels no release from the labor. She must attend to everything that requires care, thought, and attention. Young ladies should be thoroughly instructed in cooking. Whatever be their circumstances in life, here is knowledge which may be put to a practical use. It is a branch of education which has the most direct influence upon human life, especially the lives of those held most dear. Many a wife and mother who has not had the right education and lacks skill in the cooking department is daily presenting her family with ill-prepared food which is steadily and surely destroying the digestive organs, making a poor quality of blood, and frequently bringing on acute attacks of inflammatory disease and causing premature death. Many have been brought to their death by ea…
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
EGW's passage directly applies the principle of training children (daughters, in this case) in necessary skills, specifically cooking, so they are equipped for life. It's a specific application of the general principle in Proverbs 22:6.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
Both passages highlight the importance of a woman's diligence and active role in managing her household. EGW's passage specifically focuses on the practical skills, like cooking, that contribute to this diligence.
"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
Both passages discuss the roles and responsibilities of women in the home. EGW's passage focuses on the practical skills and training needed, while Titus 2:5 emphasizes qualities like being keepers at home and obedient. There's a clear thematic overlap in defining appropriate roles for women.