"As the tidings spread through the countries of Europe, of a land where every man might enjoy the fruit of his own labor and obey the convictions of his own conscience, thousands flocked to the shores of the New World. Colonies rapidly multiplied. “Massachusetts, by special law, offered free welcome and aid, at the public cost, to Christians of any nationality who might fly beyond the Atlantic ‘to escape from wars or famine, or the oppression of their persecutors.’ Thus the fugitive and the downtrodden were, by statute, made the guests of the commonwealth.”—Martyn, vol. 5, p. 417. In twenty years from the first landing at Plymouth, as many thousand Pilgrims were settled in New England. GC 296.1"
"But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it."
The passage describes a land where people can enjoy the fruit of their labor, echoing Micah's vision of peace and security where everyone dwells safely under their own vine and fig tree.
"To secure the object which they sought, “they were content to earn a bare subsistence by a life of frugality and toil. They asked nothing from the soil but the reasonable returns of their own labor. No golden vision threw a deceitful halo around their path.... They were content with the slow but steady progress of their social polity. They patiently endured the privations of the wilderness, watering the tree of liberty with their tears, and with the sweat of their brow, till it took deep root in the land.” GC 296.2"
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
The passage describes the pilgrims' willingness to work hard for their sustenance, reflecting the principle that those who don't work shouldn't eat.
"The Bible was held as the foundation of faith, the source of wisdom, and the charter of liberty. Its principles were diligently taught in the home, in the school, and in the church, and its fruits were manifest in thrift, intelligence, purity, and temperance. One might be for years a dweller in the Puritan settlement, “and not see a drunkard, or hear an oath, or meet a beggar.”—Bancroft, pt. 1, ch. 19, par. 25. It was demonstrated that the principles of the Bible are the surest safeguards of national greatness. The feeble and isolated colonies grew to a confederation of powerful states, and the world marked with wonder the peace and prosperity of “a church without a pope, and a state without a king.” GC 296.3"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The passage states that the Bible was the source of wisdom, which aligns with the proverb that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."
The EGW passage describes the positive outcomes of adhering to biblical principles in the Puritan settlements, which aligns with the proverb that righteousness exalts a nation. The connection is thematic, focusing on the societal impact of righteousness.
"But continually increasing numbers were attracted to the shores of America, actuated by motives widely different from those of the first Pilgrims. Though the primitive faith and purity exerted a widespread and molding power, yet its influence became less and less as the numbers increased of those who sought only worldly advantage. GC 296.4"
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
The EGW passage describes a shift in the motives of immigrants to America, from religious purity to worldly advantage. This thematically parallels Matthew 6:24, which warns against serving both God and mammon. The increasing focus on worldly gain diminishes the original religious focus.