"Visit to Texas Thursday we went to Brother McDearman's at Grand Prairie. Here our daughter met her parents, brother, and sister, who had all been brought near to the door of death by the fever which prevailed in the state during the past season. We took great pleasure in ministering to the wants of this afflicted family, who had in years past liberally assisted us in our affliction. 4T 305"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
EGW describes ministering to the McDearman family, who had previously assisted them in their affliction. This act of reciprocal kindness and care aligns with the principle of Matthew 25:40, where acts of service to others are considered acts of service to Christ. The focus on helping those in need, especially those who have helped before, creates the thematic parallel.
"My testimony was never received more readily and heartily than by this people. I became deeply interested in the work in the great State of Texas. It has ever been Satan's object to preoccupy every important field; and probably he has never been more busily employed at the introduction of the truth in any state than he has been in Texas. This is the best evidence to my mind that there is a great work to be done here. 4T 305.3"
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
The EGW passage describes Satan's active opposition to the spread of truth, particularly in Texas. This aligns with the verse from 1 Peter, which warns believers to be vigilant against the devil's attempts to devour them. The connection is thematic, focusing on the activity of Satan.