"Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation of souls. God's Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and He places them in the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they can never perform the work that the church should do. God requires His church to nurse those who are young in faith and experience, to go to them, not for the purpose of gossiping with them, but to pray, to speak unto them words that are “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” 4T 69.1"
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 25:11, applying it to the importance of speaking edifying words to new believers. The connection is clear and intentional.