Telescope Messenger, Summer, 2010

2010·4.7 MB·English

by  Evangelical United Brethren Heritage Center, Dayton Ohio

Center for the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage
TELESCOPE-MESSENGER
United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio
I Vol. 20 No.2 Summer 2010
An Unexpected Career: God at Work?
by
Raymond M. Veh
Edited by Robert L. Frey
This article is based primarily on a copy of "Data Assembled on Request of the Center for the Study of EUB Church History,"
United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. It was the basis for an interview conducted on May 21, 1981. The carbon copy
was supplied to the editor by Dr. Dwight Busacca who received the manuscript from Dr. Veh 's daughter, Marguerite Lueptow.
Although much of the manuscript was written in the third person, it was written by Dr. Veh.
Raymond Michael Veh was born in located on the North Central campus interviewed
Gibsonburg, Ohio, on June 26, 1901. Both Raymond at one point and strongly encouraged
his paternal and maternal families were pioneers him to enter the ministry, but he resisted.
in northwestern Ohio, some immigrated from While in college he met Helen Pauline
Germany. The town of Gibsonburg was Zimmerman of Oak Park, Illinois. Her family
established largely on the farm of his maternal had a long association with the Evangelical
grandparents, John Frederick and Margret Friar Association and her father, Paul F. Zimmerman a
Y eastling. His father, Michael George Veh, who bank president, was also a prominent layman in
came from Germany at the age of five with his First Evangelical Church of Oak Park. He was
parents, John Michael and Dorothea Dornberger the Illinois Conference delegate to several
V eh, was a furniture dealer and funeral director General Conferences including the 1922
for 55 years. He and his wife, Ella Yeasting Veh, conference in Detroit, Michigan, when union of
were respected residents of that community and the Evangelical Association and the United
lived to the ages of 88 and 94 respectively. Evangelical churches occurred. Helen also
Raymond grew up in Trinity Church of graduated in 1923, but it was five years before
the Evangelical Association. His parents were they were married.
devout Christians who provided excellent role A scholarship took Raymond to the
models for young Raymond. His journalistic University of Illinois where he completed a
inclinations began in his high school days when masters degree in Sociology and spent a year as
he submitted items to his hometown weekly Director of Student Activities at the Pilgrim
newspaper on the activities at Trinity Church. Foundation. After completing his degree he was
During his high school years his maternal hired as Assistant Professor of Sociology and
grandmother often suggested that he consider the Assistant Dean of Men at Evansville College
ministry. A young minister, Rev. C. L. Allen, (now University) in Evansville, Indiana. For four
provided a model for ministry for Raymond, but summers Raymond took eleven weeklong North
he had not made a final decision by the time he Central College Glee Club tours from coast to
entered college. coast, getting acquainted with the larger
Raymond attended North Central College Evangelical Church and the nation in the
in Naperville, Illinois, and graduated in 1923 process.
with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his Meanwhile, Helen Zimmerman had
college days he supplied information on the embarked on a career as a Home Economics
activities at North Central College to the teacher first in Washington, Illinois, and then in
denominational weekly-the Evangelical Sycamore, Illinois. Each May while in Sycamore
Messenger. The president of the seminary she staged a big dinner for the school board, in
part to showcase the talents of her students. After assuming his editorial position, he
Raymond, realizing that a doctorate was accepted his call to ministry. In 1930 he was
necessary for advancement in college teaching, ordained a deacon and two years later an elder in
began work on the degree at New York the Ohio Conference of the Evangelical Church.
University. Clearly he was preparing for a career Although he never served a parish, he preached
as an academic and not a pastor. many times during his career and had an
But graduate work took its toll. As outstanding reputation as a preacher. His
Dr. Veh reports: "One Sunday afternoon I went comments on the way his preaching changed
to a vesper service at the Cathedral of St. John over the years are most interesting.
the Divine (in New York city). Dissatisfied with "My early preaching was highly personal
myself and unhappy with prospects of grueling in delineating the influence of sin on persons
education endeavors, I said as I felt God even to the pointing of fingers at members in the
speaking to me, 'Here I am, 0 God, take me and Church and community. Repeated outlining of
use me as you will. I'll do what you want me to the procedures for salvation from sin and the
do.' I felt a new calm and certainty inwardly that necessity for individuals to tum their backs on
all would work out well." It did. the devil and accept Christ as Saviour and Lord
The following Thursday Raymond are found in these sermons. I frequently made
received a telegram from the Secretary of the use of graphic deathbed scenes of conversion
Board of Publications of the Evangelical Church along with constant sermonizing on the
informing him that he had been elected editor of immorality of [the] use of liquor, tobacco,
The Evangelical Crusader, the youth weekly of attendance at the theatre, motion pictures, and
the Evangelical Church. Since he had no idea he dance halls were present. All too frequently, I
was being considered for the position he was made detailed presentations of theological
puzzled until he recalled an incident of the concepts often with the individual church
previous summer. While attending the members having little background knowledge of
International Christian Endeavor Convention in the same . . . thus being 'out of touch' with the
Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Elmer W. Praetorius, then person in the pew."
General Secretary of Christian Education, had "Beginning in the 1920s new preaching
had lunch with Raymond. During lunch emphases emerged [in his own preaching]. One
Praetorius asked Raymond, "What would you do was the effort to relate religion to life, calling
if you were editing a youth paper?" It appeared parishioners to think through the moral
to be a casual lunch and although the principles involved in consistently living
conversation was pleasant, Raymond had no idea religiously. Another was on applying Christian
this was an interview. beliefs to social issues, business, and political
Years later, reflecting on his appointment problems, national and international trends. This
as editor and his subsequent acceptance of the was based on the emphasis of developing a
position, Raymond Veh commented: "I was social consciousness among Christians based on
certain that the yield[ing] of self to Christ the Biblical personalities and incidents. Other new
Sunday previous was necessary before God emphases were on the necessity of the Church to
could use me in his work. The years in his influence all phases of community life, on
service [as an editor] gave me a happy life and a religion merely as a technique for 'togetherness'
rewarding career." without constant evaluation of living on the basis
Raymond withdrew from his doctoral or moral and ethical values, and on the Gospel as
program, moved to Cleveland (the site of the if it were a commonplace with the imparting of
Evangelical Association's publishing house) and facts taking the place of the zestful investment of
became editor on October 10, 1927. Slightly inspiration and whole-souled radiance."
over a year later he and Helen were married on But it was as an editor that Dr. V eh had
November 17, 1928. Eventually they had a his greatest influence. Quadrennial General
daughter, Marguerite Anne, who married Wayne Conference elected him to his general church
Lueptow, and they had two sons. editorial post from 1930 through 1968. In 1962
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the Study Commission on Church Literature to which he was a frequent contributor). He was
related Builders, his youth weekly, to the on the Board of Directors of the John Milton
curriculum as the publication for Senior High Society for the Blind and on the boards of
youth. In the Evangelical Church he held the title directors of several state agencies. For 20 years
of Director of Youth Work and during the final he was the denomination's representative on the
three years of his career he held the title Editor American Bible Society Advisory Council and
of Youth Publications. chairman of the Report Committee for a number
During his years in Cleveland, Raymond of years.
continued his education by attending Cleveland Active in city, state, and national councils
College, Western Reserve University, and Nast of Christian Education, Dr. V eh held important
Theological Seminary. Westmar College leadership positions. In 1939 he was youth press
(LeMars, Iowa) conferred on him the Doctor of representative to the First World Conference of
Divinity degree in 1936 and the Doctor of Christian Youth in Amsterdam, Holland and in
Literature degree in 1955. 1948 and 1954 to the first and second assemblies
In 1934 the impact of the Great of the World Council of Churches. From 1938 to
Depression caused the Evangelical Church to 1966 he was the director or co-director of
merge its two publishing houses. Although the publicity for the General Conferences of the
Cleveland publishing house was older, the Evangelical and EUB denominations.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, house had newer Dr. V eh' s long tenure of office afforded
facilities and equipment, so it was chosen as the close association with leaders of the
site for the denominational publishing center. denomination. At different times his office
Raymond and his family moved to Harrisburg adjoined the office of four bishops; namely,
and remained there for the next 30 years. When E. W. Praetorius, John S. Stamm, George
the Board of Publications erected a new Edward Epp, and Hermann W. Kaebnich. Veh
headquarters building in Dayton, Ohio, had continuous membership on the Board of
Raymond's office was transferred there in Christian Education and membership for a
August, 1965. number of decades on the Board of Missions, the
In addition to editing youth publications Department (Commission) on Christian Social
for the Evangelical and the Evangelical United Action, and the Program Council. In the
Brethren denominations, Dr. V eh wrote Evangelical Church he served as Secretary of
numerous books, pamphlets, and articles Christian Social Action. During World War II
including: Thumbnail Sketches of Evangelical his office distributed thousands of leaflets on a
Bishops, Interesting Evangelical Churches, The total of 55 subjects addressed to men and women
Evangelical Church at Work, My Church Faces in the military and to conscientious objectors.
Union, and Life is an Achievement, among A young people's society was founded on
others. He also contributed hundreds of articles September 13, 1880 (six months before the
and sermons to religious and secular publications founding of Christian Endeavor by Francis E.
such as The Christian Herald, Christian Century, Clark) in the former Commercial Street
and the Upper Room. His final service to the Evangelical Association church in Dayton, Ohio.
denomination was editing Penetration for Bishop E. W. Praetorious grew up in this church
Transformation-the 1968 denominational study and was always proud of its role in the vanguard
book. of young people's work. The Evangelical
Dr. V eh served several times as chairman Association's youth organization, the Young
of the Conference on Church Magazines for People's Alliance, was founded on August 10-12,
Children and Youth and as chairman of the 1891. The United Evangelical Church organized
Young People's section of the International its youth group- the Keystone League of
Council of Religious Education. He was also Christian Endeavor- on October 13, 1891.
vice president of the Cooperative Publication After the 1922 merger of the two
Association and a member of the Advisory branches of the church, Christian Endeavor
Council to The Link (a serviceman's publication known as the Evangelical League of Christian
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Endeavor- became its youth organization. Dr. transition from Christian Endeavor to the
V eh served on the board of the International denominationally-oriented Youth Fellowship,
Society of Christian Endeavor as a representative Raymond was one of the original denominational
of his denomination. In addition he wrote junior youth directors that formed the Christian Youth
high school topic commentaries for the Christian Building and New World Movement-efforts
Endeavor World of which he was contributing that strengthened the Youth Fellowship
editor. philosophy. He became one of the adult
Of Christian Endeavor Dr. V eh said: counselors to the General Youth Fellowship
"Christian Endeavor did a notable service for Council and continued this relationship until his
youth during many decades. But the organization retirement.
got into the grip of older leaders who were not Despite the mounting concerns about the
aware of the changing attitudes of youth and the direction of youth work within the denomination,
trends of youth work in local churches that were prior to the 1946 merger large conventions of
utilizing youth's ideas and energies. youth took place in Reading, Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Christian Endeavor did not take (1923), Lake Koronis, Minnesota (1926 and
youth and denominational youth leaders into top 1940), Naperville, Illinois (1930), Cedar Falls,
leadership until too late. Thus denominations Iowa (1934), and Oakwood Park, Indiana (1936
began to draw away from this inclusive and 1946). These were inspirational events that
organization." resulted in many young people choosing
Consequently, during the 1930s the Christian vocations. Extensive contacts with
Evangelical Church recognized the need for a young people at conferences such as these, as
general organization for youth, and the Young well as at camps, interdenominational
People's Union was formed. Annual conferences conferences, and college campus visits provided
formed conference Unions, and youth found enriching fellowship for Raymond. More
significant expression of their faith through importantly, however, they provided an
them. In 1944 this resulted in the creation of the awareness of the need for new approaches in
Youth Fellowship as the form of youth work in general and local church work. His ability to stay
the denomination. With the merger of 1946 the "up to date" in his 41 years as an editor was
Youth Fellowship was continued as the youth ' impressive indeed.
work of the denomination. Dr. V ey also served as Secretary of the
When the Church planned for the Board of Christian Social Action, an additional
duty to his editorial and youth work. World War I
gave the Protestant Church a new recognition of
Telescope-Messenger the need for applying Christian values to the
problems of humanity. The horrors of war, the
Is published twice yearly by the Center shallowness of materialism, the damaging effects
For the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage of liquor, and declining standards of morality
United Theological Seminary sparked the general church to action in the post
4501 Denlinger Road
war period. Denominations formed councils or
Trotwood, OH 45426
boards to give more detailed considerations to
meeting these pressing needs. While some
Editor: Robert L. Frey
members of the Evangelical Association and the
Compositor: Patricia Frey
United Evangelical Church were concerned
Printer: Mound Printing Co. Inc.
about these issues prior to World War I, the
Correspondence should be sent to the editor at concern became more widespread in the years
1356 Hidden Creek Drive after the war.
Miamisburg, OH 45342 During World War II the Evangelical
Church's Board of Christian Social Action had a
[email protected] file in Dr. Vey's office of the names of 55,000
men and women in national service sent in by
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pastors or committees of local churches. wanted to spend time with his wife, daughter,
Bulletins were sent to the churches monthly on a son-in-law, and grandchildren. He and Helen
variety of subjects. These were intended to be retired to Thiensville, Wisconsin, a suburb of
mailed to the soldiers in order to maintain church Milwaukee to be closer to his daughter and her
contacts with them and to encourage and support family.
them. Dr. V ey explained that "Letters were sent What prompted E. W. Praetorious and
from my office as Secretary of the Board to other leaders of the church to single out
conscientious objectors, and the men appreciated Raymond Veh to edit Evangelical Association
them. Some of these young men gave youth publications we cannot know. It was not
themselves to alternative work in hospitals or in unusual, however, to "handpick" people in the
natural conservation projects, but a few of them denomination. My Dad, George W. Frey, was
went to prison. These men did not register their similarly chosen for a position in the Evangelical
attitude of resistance by turning to the ministry to School of Theology-a position for which he
escape the draft. Rather, they had deep-seated had not applied and did not know he was under
convictions about making a Christian witness for consideration. While this might have worked
peace as against war." against diversity within the denomination, it did
In 1968, after 41 years in his editorial give "decision-makers" time to observe people
role, and after the merger that created the United carefully before they were chosen. Perhaps
Methodist Church, Raymond V eh retired. In his Raymond was right in saying it would not have
interview, he hastened to point out that he happened until he opened himself to God's
favored all of the mergers he had seen: the 1922 direction. But after viewing his life, it is easy to
Evangelical-United Evangelical merger, the 1946 affirm the effectiveness of Dr. Vey as an editor, a
Evangelical-United Brethren merger, and the youth leader, a preacher, a family man, and a
1968 Methodist-BUB merger. At the time of the Christian. His influence on many young men and
merger, however, he was 67 years old and women can still be seen in the church today.
Rev. William J. Shuey: Forgotten Leader (Part 1)
by
Robert L. Frey
The following article is based on material in the March 6, 1920, issue ofThe Religious Telescope (the United Brethren weekly
publication). This issue contained the reprint ofa handwritten autobiography by William J. Shuey, an excerpt from a published
history of the Shuey family, and three reviews ofS huey's life by contemporaries. The early part of Rev. Shuey's life is
contained in this issue. The Winter 2011 issue will contain the next installment.
William J. Shuey was a man of the 19th Shuey, were members of the Church of the
Century. Consequently no one living United Brethren in Christ prior to William's
today knew him. Despite the fact that he held a birth. Germantown, Ohio, one of the earliest
low visibility position in the denomination for areas of UB evangelistic activity was only
much of his career, he was obviously a several miles to the west of Miamisburg, and this
significant force in the United Brethren Church probably explains their membership. For 14
in the second half of the 19th Century. This was years Adam Shuey served as the first postmaster
evidenced by his frequent mention in Berger's of Miamisburg.
and Drury's denominational histories and by the William recalls that his earliest religious
eulogies published on his death. experiences were in the home where his father
William was born on February 9, 1827, provided solid religious teaching. At the age of
in the river town of Miamisburg, Ohio, ten miles nine "at a great meeting at George Zeller's, on Little
south of Dayton. Despite the fact that there were Twin Creek above Germantown, I was distinctly
no United Brethren churches in Miamisburg, convicted of sin and would have sought the
conversion of my soul had I been encouraged and
William's parents, Adam and Hannah Aley
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helped by older Christians. The opmwn prevailed and, with few words of encouragement, I became
that children of my age were too young to despondent." Several relatives advised William to
comprehend the plan of salvation." return home and help his father. Convinced, that his
Shortly after this disappointing religious call was mistaken, he did so. Nonetheless, during his
experience the Shuey family moved to a wilderness time on the Germantown Circuit the First United
area near Springfield, Ohio, where they attempted to Brethren Church of Dayton was organized- a church
develop a productive farm. According to William's he later pastored.
autobiography, the resulting struggles cooled the Now William's life appeared to move in a
religious ardor of his family, and the lack of a church different direction. Working with his father in the
in the area contributed to this "backsliding." But the carpenter business and teaching school in the winter,
arrival of the United Brethren missionary Rev. he was able to provide a decent living for himself. He
Benjamin P. Wheat, who lived in the Shuey home built a house in Springfield and in the spring of 1848
and conducted a "protracted meeting" in the area, had he married Sarah Berger. William H. Rhinehart, the
a profound impact on young William. Indeed, at the first editor of The Religious Telescope, presided over
age of 16 William experienced a painful and this wedding. William's life was about to change
extended struggle "to claim the promise of salvation. a gam.
The light pierced my soul, and I was made happy in For "recreation" William attended a quarterly
the hope of eternal life." meeting at Aley's Church. "I remained a week. God
The result of Rev. Wheat's efforts was the poured out his revival power upon the whole
creation of a society that became the Lagonda UB community. With one or two companions, we visited
church as well as churches in Beavertown, Aleys, from house to house for miles around and exhorted
Smithville (now Sulphur Grove), Tremont, the people to become religious. God was with us in
Christiansburg, and other locations. William recalled mighty power, and scores were awakened to a new
that "Our religious training after the organization of life. The old fire was rekindled in my soul, and the
the society was rigid and thorough. The old voice of God came to me again."
fashioned class and prayer-meeting were in their Convinced he had not misunderstood his call,
prime. Every week we were called upon to speak and he accepted the offer to assist Rev. R. Norris the
pray in social meetings. None were exempt. The pastor of Aley's Church. With the support and
result was a large band of earnest workers ... " Unlike guidance of an experienced minister William was
the Germantown experience, this time William able to assist in many conversions and to help
received substantial support from older members and establish new societies, including one at the Sixth
from association with people his own age. Street Engine House in Dayton. On September 1,
But William's path to the Christian ministry 1848, he joined the Miami Conference assembled at
was hardly an easy one. Like many before him, he Farmersville, Ohio. A year later he accepted
resisted the call of God to ministry. Rev. Jacob commitment to itinerancy and was assigned to the
Antrim and Rev. Theophi1us Rork followed Rev. Lewisburg Circuit west of Dayton.
Wheat on the circuit and each persuaded William to There were seven churches on the Lewisburg
speak in public and finally attempt to preach. William Circuit and on his first round William had an
was aware that he did not have the preparation for interesting encounter at New Hope. When he arrived
such a calling. Common school training was not at the church he had been told to go to the parlor of
enough. In nearby Springfield there was a Methodist Rev. Jacob Surface who lived next door to the
academy known as The Ohio Conference High church. After introducing himself, "Brother Surface
School. Eager to support his son, Adam Shuey sent drew a long breath and said, 'I am astonished that
William to this school. But after four months he such a stripling as you are would undertake to travel
became ill and contracted a substantial medical bill a circuit.' I was 'astonished' myself, but I was in for
that prevented further work at the school. "Our older it. The people were there and waiting, and something
ministers did not urge young men looking to the must be said. Brother Surface's wet blanket did not
ministry to go to school; rather dissuaded them if kill me. How well I preached I cannot say, but I went
they had promising native talent." on my way trusting in God for help and success."
Nonetheless, William was appointed junior Rev. Shuey's two years on the Lewisburg
preacher of the Germantown Circuit. Here again he Circuit went quite well. During the second year a
experienced a lack of support. Rev. John Zeller of great revival, known as the Ritz revival, took place.
Millville, Ohio, was the preacher in charge. But he "I never before nor since saw more wonderful
was timid and reserved and provided no help to displays of divine influence," Shuey recalled in his
William. "We seldom met. I was inexpressibly green autobiography. His reputation for revival preaching
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followed him to his next assignment, First United in these two assignments, once again, Rev. Shuey's
Brethren Church in Cincinnati- a relatively strong career was about to experience a tum.
church for so young a preacher. During one of his
fortnightly revival sessions more than 200 were (To be continued in the next issue)
converted. Despite his success during his five years
EUB Missionaries in Africa
In early 1962 the following missionaries were listed in The World Evangel (April 1962 edition, p. 140) as assigned to Africa.
How many of them do you remember? If your name is on this list, the Telescope Messenger is interested in an account of your
experiences on the mission field. Names in bold are the towns/stations of the mission.
NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE SIERRA LEONE
Bambur Bo Lalehun
Rev. Phillip S. Gehm Mr. Lester Bradford Rev. Gilbert Olson
Rev. DeanS. Gilliland Mrs. Winifred Bradford, M.D. Mrs. Beverly Olson
Mrs. Lois Gilliland Rev. Frank Closson Moyamba
Mr. David Hilton, M.D. Mrs. Nathalie Closson Miss Elaine Gasser
Mrs. Laveta Hilton Rev. Clyde Gallow Mrs. Marjorie Hager
Mr. Woodrow R. Macke Mrs. Gladys Fahner Gallow Miss June Hartranft
Mrs. Wilma Macke Rev. Charles W. Leader Miss Lois Lehman
Miss Mary Martin, R.N. Mrs. Bertha Leader Miss Mary Alice Lippert
Dr. Ira E. McBride Mr. James G. Simpson, Jr. Miss Virginia Pickarts
Mrs. Kathleen McBride Mrs. Cleo Simpson Rotifunk
Mr. Dean Olewiler, M.D. Freetown Miss Betty Beveridge, R.N.
Mrs. Jane Olewiler Rev. L. 0. Shirley Miss Esther Megill
Miss Lucy Rowe Mrs. Grace Shirley Miss Mabel I. Silver, M.D.
Miss Amy Skartved, R.N. Mr. J. Dean Spencer Mr. David V. Stephenson, M.D.
Miss Florence Walter, R.N. Mrs. Ramona Spencer Mrs. Alverta Stephenson
Pero Mr. Donald Theuer Tiama
Rev. David Rickard Mrs. Lilbume Theuer Miss Lois Olsen, R.N.
Mrs. Marian Rickard Jaiama Koidu
Waka Miss Metra Heisler, R.N. Rev. Jack K. Thomas
Miss Lois F. Schmidt Kabala Mrs. Delores A. Thomas
Zinna Miss Jane Eberle
Rev. A. J. Faust
Mrs. A letha Faust
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Heritage. The form for doing so is on the bottom of page 7. Because we are attempting to determine how
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Once again I am interested in receiving articles about people, events, or experiences in the lite of the
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