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Albert Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer (January 14, 1875-September 4, 1965) was born into an Alsatian family which for generations had been devoted to teaching, music and spirituality. Both his grandfathers were accomplished organists, his father and maternal grandfather were also ministers. Many of his family members were noted scholars as well.
At the age of 21, Schweitzer wrote out his 'life plan': "For nine years," he wrote, "I intend to devote myself to the study of music, theology and medicine, then I will spend the rest of my life, God willing, serving humankind." And that's exactly what he did!
In 1899, he was awarded a doctorate in philosophy. His dissertation was on the religious philosophy of Kant, and in 1900 he received his licentiate in theology. In 1899, he began preaching at St. Nicholas Church in Strasbourg. From 1900 to 1912, he served in various administrative posts in the Theological College of St.Thomas, his alma mater, at the University of Strasbourg. In 1906 he published The Quest of the Historical Jesus which was to become a keynote of his published works.
Meanwhile he continued with a distinguished musical career which was to last well into his eighties. He eventually became an internationally-known concert organist as well as pianist. From his professional musicial engagements he earned funds for his education, particularly his later medical schooling, and for his African hospital. Albert also wrote a well-respected biography of Bach in 1905 in French, published a book on organ building and playing in 1906, and in 1908 he translated his Bach book into German.
In 1913, having obtained a medical doctor degree, he founded a hospital at Lambaréné in French Equatorial Africa, but just four years later, in 1917, he and his wife were sent to a French internment camp as prisoners of war (World War I). Released 14 months later, the Schweitzers returned to Europe where they remained until late 1924. During this time, Albert continued to give theological lectures and organ concerts, while furthering his medical training. He also wrote a prolific number of books: "On the Edge of the Primeval Forest", "The Decay and Restoration of Civilization", "Civilization and Ethics", and "Christianity and the Religions of the World".
In 1924, the Schweitzers returned to Lambaréné and except for short periods of time spent on concert tours to raise monies for the hospital, remained there for the rest of their lives. With the funds earned from his music and book royalties as well as lecture fees and donations from supporters worldwide, by 1960, the hospital had expanded to over seventy buildings which housed over 500 patients.
At Lambaréné, Schweitzer was not only a resident surgeon, he was also a pastor, village administrator and as always a prolific writer of books on theology as well as contemporary history. He continued to write music as well as perform professionally until as late as 1960.
In 1953, he received the Nobel Peace Prize and started a leprosarium with the prize money.
When Albert died in 1965, he was buried on the hospital grounds at Lambaréné.
My Favorite Albert Schweitzer Quotes
A Prayer For Animals
Hear our humble prayer, Oh God, for our friends the animals,
especially for ones who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and
for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals
and to share the blessings of the merciful.
When we help an insect out of a difficulty, we are only trying to compensate for man's ever-renewed sins against other creatures. Wherever animals are impressed into service of man, every one of us should be mindful of the toll we are exacting. We cannot stand idly by and see an animal subjected to unnecessary harshness or deliberate mistreatment. We cannot say it is not our business to interfere. On the contrary, it is our duty to intervene on the animal's behalf.
The elemental fact, present in our consciousness every moment of our existence, is: I am life that wills to live, in the midst of life that wills to live.The mysterious fact of my will to live is that I feel a mandate to behave with sympathetic concern toward all the wills to live which exist side by side with my own. The essence of Goodness is to preserve life, promote life, help life to achieve its highest destiny. The essence of Evil is to destroy life, harm life, hamper the development of life.
"...We must become a spring at which men
can quench their thirst for gratitude."
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