"***** The minister of Christ should be a man of prayer, a man of piety; cheerful, but never coarse and rough, jesting or frivolous. A spirit of frivolity may be in keeping with the profession of clowns and theatrical performers, but it is altogether beneath the dignity of a man who is chosen to stand between the living and the dead, and to be a mouthpiece for God. GW 132.1"
"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
The EGW passage directly reflects the principle in Titus 2:7-8, emphasizing the importance of a minister's gravity, sincerity, and sound speech. Both passages stress the need for ministers to be examples of good works and to avoid behaviors that could bring reproach.