The messages during the times of volume 7 also mark the calls to advance in city work. Though these were to be followed by other urgent appeals which appeared in succeeding years, the needs of our great cities were first brought before our people in a general way in the opening section of this book. The work to be done was not limited to conference workers. Laymen from the ranks were to be drawn into an ever-expanding task in the great centers of population. A great evangelistic program was begun which was to continue for many years. 7T 8.1 When volume 7 was published, Seventh-day Adventists had been conducting active work for more than a half century. The passage of the years meant that there was an enlarging number of workers who must lay off the armor and drop their burdens. Such had sacrificed and labored to build up the cause of God, but now when the time had come for them to drop their work and let younger hands lift the burdens, there was no provision for their support. The need…
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The EGW passage discusses the expansion of city work and the involvement of laymen in evangelism. This parallels the theme of Acts 1:8, which speaks of being witnesses in Jerusalem (cities) and beyond. While not a direct quote or explicit allusion, the underlying theme of spreading the message and expanding the work is present in both passages.
"Thus volume 7 is devoted to only a few lines of instruction, but its vital counsels are far-reaching and have borne rich fruit. 7T 8.3"
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
The EGW passage states that the counsels in volume 7, though few, have borne rich fruit. This directly echoes the sentiment of Matthew 7:20, which emphasizes that one can discern the quality of something by its fruits or results. The connection is clear and meaningful.