His mother was a woman of sterling piety, and in childhood, he had been subject to religious impressions. In early manhood, however, he was thrown into the society of deists, whose influence was the stronger from the fact that they were mostly good citizens and men of humane and benevolent disposition. Living, as they did, in the midst of Christian institutions, their characters had been to some extent molded by their surroundings. For the excellencies which won them respect and confidence they were indebted to the Bible; and yet these good gifts were so perverted as to exert an influence against the word of God. By association with these men, Miller was led to adopt their sentiments. The current interpretations of Scripture presented difficulties which seemed to him insurmountable; yet his new belief, while setting aside the Bible, offered nothing better to take its place, and he remained far from satisfied. He continued to hold these views, however, for about twelve years. But at the…
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."
The EGW passage describes how Miller was influenced by deists, whose 'evil communications' corrupted his 'good manners' (in a spiritual sense). This aligns with the warning in 1 Corinthians 15:33 about the corrupting influence of evil company.
"“Annihilation was a cold and chilling thought, and accountability was sure destruction to all. The heavens were as brass over my head, and the earth as iron under my feet. Eternity—what was it? And death—why was it? The more I reasoned, the further I was from demonstration. The more I thought, the more scattered were my conclusions. I tried to stop thinking, but my thoughts would not be controlled. I was truly wretched, but did not understand the cause. I murmured and complained, but knew not of whom. I knew that there was a wrong, but knew not how or where to find the right. I mourned, but without hope.” GC 318.2"
"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."
EGW directly quotes the imagery of 'heavens as brass' and 'earth as iron' from Deuteronomy 28:23 to describe Miller's feelings of spiritual desolation and hopelessness.
"Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"
Both passages describe a state of confusion and lack of understanding. Miller's inability to find answers and his scattered conclusions parallel the idea of darkening counsel with words without knowledge.