A Lesson for All in the Life of Albert Schweitzer

Next Tuesday will mark the 111th birthday of Albert Schweitzer, one of the greatest men who ever trod our earth, certainly of this century.

While other men spent their lives planning or dealing death and suffering to millions, this genius at the height of his career as professor, theologian, pastor and musician, at the age of 30 undertook to study medicine for the purpose of being a helper of man.

He chose to go to Africa to work among people who had no access to medical ministrations. He buried himself deep in the jungle, turning his back on future honors in his previous careers. He chose to bind wounds, to heal, to succor those to whom he felt called to minister. He wanted his life to be his sermon. At the same time statesmen, politicians and munitions makers were planning World War I, how to destroy, kill and sacrifice millions.

From the fullness of his thought, Schweitzer evolved the concept “Reverence for Life,” not only for human life but all living creatures and forms of life as well.

It is only proper that he be remembered at this time. His was literally a voice crying in the wilderness. However, people came from all over the world to sit at his feet and feed on his strength and learn of him.

Although it has been 20 years since he passed from the scene, we can and should take some of his ideas to heart, one being, “Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others.” Another is, “I must forgive the loveless, the hatred, the slander, the fraud, the arrogance which I encounter, since I myself have so often lacked love, hated, slandered, defrauded, and been arrogant. I must forgive without noise or fuss. In general I do not forgive. I do not get as far as being merely just.”

PAUL DELSON

Canoga Park