"Chapter 17—Encouraging Providences Again I was called to deny self for the good of souls. We must sacrifice the company of our little Henry, and go forth to give ourselves unreservedly to the work. My health was very poor, and should I take my child, he would necessarily occupy a large share of my time. It was a severe trial, yet I dared not let him stand in the way of duty. I believed that the Lord had spared him to us when he was very sick, and that if I should let him hinder me from doing my duty, God would remove him from me. Alone before the Lord, with a sorrowful heart and many tears, I made the sacrifice, and gave up my only child to be cared for by another. LS 120"
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
EGW's decision to prioritize her ministry over her personal desires for her child directly reflects the principle in Matthew 10:37, which emphasizes that love for God should supersede even familial love.
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
Similar to Matthew 10:37, Luke 14:26 also emphasizes the need to prioritize discipleship above familial ties. EGW's sacrifice aligns with this principle, demonstrating a willingness to put God's work first, even at a personal cost.
"It was hard to part with my child. His sad little face, as I left him, was before me day and night; yet in the strength of the Lord I put him out of my mind, and sought to do others good. LS 120.3"
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Both passages deal with the difficulty of prioritizing God's work over familial love. While the Matthew verse is a direct command, the EGW passage illustrates a similar struggle and choice.
"For five years Brother Howland's family had the whole charge of Henry. They cared for him without any recompense, providing all his clothing, except a present that I brought him once a year, as Hannah did Samuel. LS 120.4"
"But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever."
The EGW passage explicitly draws a parallel between her bringing a present to Henry and Hannah bringing a present to Samuel. This is a clear and intentional allusion.