"According to this teaching, our only safety from delusion would be to remain at a distance from God, in a backslidden state. Oh, thought I, has it come to this, that those who honestly go to God alone to plead His promises, and to claim His salvation, are to be charged with being under the foul influence of mesmerism? Do we ask our kind Father in heaven for bread, only to receive a stone or a scorpion? These things wounded my spirit, and wrung my soul with keen anguish, well nigh to despair. Many would have me believe that there was no Holy Spirit, and that all the exercises that holy men of God experienced were only the effect of mesmerism or the deception of Satan. 1T 71.2"
"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?"
EGW directly alludes to Matthew 7:9 by using the phrase "ask our kind Father in heaven for bread, only to receive a stone." This is a clear reference to the biblical passage about God's willingness to provide good things for His children.
"If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"
EGW directly alludes to the scripture about asking for bread and receiving a stone. The context is similar, dealing with God's provision and the fear of receiving something harmful instead of good.