"The same deficiencies have marked his labor in the gospel field. In speaking to the people, he has many apologies to make and many preliminaries to repeat, and the congregation become wearied before he reaches his real subject. As far as possible, ministers should avoid apologies and preliminaries. 2T 670.2"
"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."
The EGW passage advises ministers to avoid unnecessary apologies and preliminaries, aligning with Ecclesiastes 5:2's call for measured and thoughtful speech before God. Both emphasize conciseness and avoiding rashness in communication.
"unimportant and would be taken for granted without producing proof, for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be made as forcible as language and proof can make them. They should stand forth as prominent as mileposts. He should avoid many words over little particulars, which will weary the hearer before the important points are reached. 2T 670.3"
"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words."
Both passages address the issue of using too many words, though in different contexts (preaching vs. dreams). The underlying principle of avoiding excessive verbiage is present in both.