"In the midst of exile and hardship their love and faith waxed strong. They trusted the Lord's promises, and He did not fail them in time of need. His angels were by their side, to encourage and support them. And when God's hand seemed pointing them across the sea, to a land where they might found for themselves a state, and leave to their children the precious heritage of religious liberty, they went forward, without shrinking, in the path of providence. GC 291.1"
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Both passages refer to the protection and support provided by angels. EGW's passage speaks of angels encouraging and supporting the Pilgrims, while Psalm 91:11 states that God gives angels charge over believers. The EGW passage illustrates the principle of divine protection through angels.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Both passages highlight God's promise of not forsaking His people. EGW's passage describes the Pilgrims trusting in God's promises, while Hebrews 13:5 quotes God's assurance of never leaving or forsaking believers. The EGW passage illustrates the principle of trusting in God's unfailing presence.
"God had permitted trials to come upon His people to prepare them for the accomplishment of His gracious purpose toward them. The church had been brought low, that she might be exalted. God was about to display His power in her behalf, to give to the world another evidence that He will not forsake those who trust in Him. He had overruled events to cause the wrath of Satan and the plots of evil men to advance His glory and to bring His people to a place of security. Persecution and exile were opening the way to freedom. GC 291.2"
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Both passages convey the idea that God uses difficult circumstances to ultimately work for the good of those who love Him. EGW's passage describes how God permitted trials to prepare His people and advance His glory, while Romans 8:28 states that all things work together for good to those who love God. The EGW passage is a specific example of the general principle stated in Romans 8:28.
"For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off."
The Psalm speaks of God's faithfulness to His saints and their preservation, while the EGW passage discusses God's protection and ultimate deliverance of His people through trials. The core theme of God's unwavering support for those who trust in Him connects the two passages strongly.
"When first constrained to separate from the English Church, the Puritans had joined themselves together by a solemn covenant, as the Lord's free people, “to walk together in all His ways made known or to be made known to them.”—J. Brown, The Pilgrim Fathers, page 74. Here was the true spirit of reform, the vital principle of Protestantism. It was with this purpose that the Pilgrims departed from Holland to find a home in the New World. John Robinson, their pastor, who was providentially prevented from accompanying them, in his farewell address to the exiles said: GC 291.3"
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Both passages refer to people who are essentially pilgrims, seeking a new place to live out their faith. Hebrews 11:13 speaks of those who 'confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth,' and the EGW passage describes the Pilgrims departing for the New World. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"“Brethren, we are now erelong to part asunder, and the Lord knoweth whether I shall live ever to see your faces more. But whether the Lord hath appointed it or not, I charge you before God and His blessed angels to follow me no farther than I have followed Christ. If God should reveal anything to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth of my ministry; for I am very confident the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His holy word.”—Martyn 5:70. GC 291.4"
"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
The EGW passage (a quote from John Robinson) directly echoes the sentiment of 1 Corinthians 11:1, urging followers to imitate their leader only insofar as that leader imitates Christ. The connection is clear and intentional.
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
Both passages speak of receiving further truth and light. The EGW passage emphasizes the openness to new revelations from God, while John 16:13 speaks of the Spirit guiding believers into all truth. The connection is thematic and supports the idea of progressive revelation.