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6
Invisible Shadows Cast Over Many Lives
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the holder of high academic distinctions in theology, philosophy and music before the age of thirty, suddenly decided to serve the suffering and the needy amongst the native negroes in the heart of African jungles. Giving up a brilliant career awaiting him, he began afresh the study of medicine at the age of thirty and having completed them in 1913, left for Africa. Voluntarily relinquishing a life of comfort and luxury, he set up the centre of his activities on the bank of river Congo amidst the aboriginal tribes. Fighting against all odds and adversities, he devoted his entire life in the service of backward masses of humanity. What factors inspired Schweitzer with such noble sentiments and lofty ideals of selfless service amidst the materialistic and self-centred society of modern times? One can get an inkling of it from his childhood years of life.
It so happened that once, his mother had stitched an overcoat for Schweitzer and gave it to him to wear. Young Albert protested, saying, "Mummy, isn't very chilly today so I don't need to wear it." His mother admonishingly told him, "Put it on, my son ! it is quite a foggy frosty day." Albert refusing to give in, said," Oh Mom, none of the other boys have any overcoat to wear so how can I alone use it ?" Reluctantly, his mother relented and left the matter at that for
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