"A Beautiful Dream In this crisis, when the faith of many was being sorely tried, Mrs. White had a dream which brought to her and to others the sweet assurance that God had not forsaken them. In relating this experience, she wrote: LS 360.2 “On the night of July 9, 1896, I had a beautiful dream. My husband, James White, was by my side. We were upon our little farm in the woods in Cooranbong, consulting in regard to the prospect of the future returns of the labor put forth. LS 360"
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
The EGW passage describes a dream that brought assurance during a time of trial, suggesting a hope for the future. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for. The dream provides evidence of things not yet seen, aligning with the concept of faith in Hebrews.
"Criticism regarding the effort to build up a school in such a wild, out-of-the-way place, grew more and more general. Then came the unfavorable termination of a lawsuit into which the school had been dragged by the hasty action of its solicitor, which cost two thousand dollars, besides causing serious delay in the work. LS 359.2 What could be done? The work seemed to be at a standstill, with little prospect of more favorable conditions. The loss of two thousand dollars would have been very discouraging at any time, but at such a time as this it was most disheartening. LS 360.1"
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;"
Both passages describe facing difficulties and being troubled, but not giving up hope. The EGW passage describes financial loss and discouragement, while 2 Corinthians 4:8 speaks of being troubled but not distressed.
"“‘We can do nothing,’ I said, ‘unless we have means, and I know not where means are coming from. We have no school building. Everything seems to be at a standstill. But I am not going to encourage unbelief. I will work in faith. I have been tempted to tell you a discouraging chapter in our experience; but I will talk faith. If we look at things which are seen, we shall be discouraged. We have to break the soil at a venture, plow in hope, in faith. We would see a measure of prosperity ahead, if all would work intelligently, and with earnest endeavor put in the seed. The present appearance is not flattering, but all the light that I can obtain is that now is the sowing time. The working of the grounds is our lesson book; for in exactly the way we treat the fields with the hope of future returns, so we must sow this missionary soil with the seeds of truth.’ LS 360.5"
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
The EGW passage directly illustrates the principle of walking by faith, not by sight, as she chooses to focus on hope and future prosperity despite discouraging circumstances.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of Galatians 6:9, encouraging perseverance in good works with the expectation of a future reward. The 'sowing' and 'reaping' imagery is present in both.