"Meeting in Maine We left Ballard Vale Tuesday morning, September 3, to attend the Maine camp meeting. We enjoyed a quiet rest at the home of Brother Morton, near Portland. He and his good wife made our tarry with them very pleasant. We were upon the Maine camp ground before the Sabbath, and were happy to meet here some of the tried friends of the cause. There are some who are ever at their post of duty, come sunshine or come storm. There is also a class of sunshine Christians. When everything goes well and is agreeable to their feelings, they are fervent and zealous; but when there are clouds and disagreeable things to meet, these will have nothing to say or do. The blessing of God rested upon the active workers, while those who did nothing were not benefited by the meeting as they might have been. The Lord was with His ministers, who labored faithfully in presenting both doctrinal and practical subjects. LS 237"
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
The EGW passage discusses 'sunshine Christians' who are only fervent when things are easy, contrasting them with those who are always at their post. This echoes the sentiment in Matthew 5:45, where God's blessings (sun and rain) are given to both the good and the evil, the just and the unjust. The EGW passage applies this principle to Christian behavior, contrasting fair-weather believers with steadfast ones.
"On one occasion I spoke in reference to genuine sanctification, which is nothing less than a daily dying to self and daily conformity to the will of God. While in Oregon I had been shown that some of the young churches of the New England Conference were in danger through the blighting influence of what is called sanctification. Some would become deceived by this doctrine, while others, knowing its deceptive influence, would realize their danger and turn from it. Paul's sanctification was a constant conflict with self. Said he, “I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31 . His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did the will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature. LS 237.1"
"I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily."
Ellen White directly references 1 Corinthians 15:31 in this passage.
"We called on those who desired to be baptized, and those who were keeping the Sabbath for the first time, to come forward. Twenty-five responded. These bore excellent testimonies; and before the close of the camp meeting twenty-two received baptism. LS 237.2"
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
Both passages describe people responding to a message and being baptized. While the numbers differ significantly, the core theme of conversion and baptism is present in both.
"We were pleased to meet here our old friends of the cause whose acquaintance we made thirty years before. Our much esteemed Brother Hastings was as deeply interested in the truth as ever. We were pleased to meet Sister Temple, and Sister Collins of Dartmouth, Mass., and Brother and Sister Wilkinson, at whose house we were entertained during our first labors in connection with the third angel's message. LS 237.3"
"But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name."
Both passages involve greetings and acknowledging friends within a religious community. The EGW passage mentions meeting old friends, while 3 John includes greetings to friends by name. The connection is about fellowship and recognition within a religious group.