"God has been testing His people. He allowed the testimony concerning dress to become silent, that our sisters might follow their own inclination and thus develop the real pride existing in their hearts. It was to prevent the present state of worldliness that the reform dress was recommended. Many scorned the idea that this dress was necessary to preserve them from following the fashions; but the Lord has permitted them to prove that pride was cherished in their hearts, and that this was just what they would do. It is now shown that they needed the restriction which the reform dress imposed. 4T 639.3"
"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."
Both passages discuss God testing His people to reveal what is in their hearts. Deuteronomy 8:2 speaks of God leading the Israelites to humble and prove them, while EGW describes God allowing the testimony on dress to become silent to reveal pride in the hearts of her readers. The underlying theme of testing and revealing inner character connects the two.