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In the 1960's Albert Schweitzer was universally acclaimed as “a godly man in the midst of a godless age,” a “contemporary saint,” the “most significant moral philosopher of our century.” Today the man we said he was has all but been forgotten, and the legacy he left, lost on the pages of innumerable books no longer in print.

Perhaps our loss of memory has been occasioned by the very spirit of our times which Albert Schweitzer, according to his own testimony, so vehemently opposed. At any rate it is precisely Schweitzer’s opposition to what he called this “suicidal spirit” which continues to make him and his message relevant.   From his autobiography we learn that already as a student Schweitzer was appalled by the “spiritual fatigue” he found evidenced everywhere.

As early as my first years at the University, I had begun to feel misgivings about the opinion that mankind is constantly developing in the direction of progress. My impression was that the fire of its ideals was burning low....On a number of occasions I had to acknowledge that public opinion...approved of as opportune inhumane courses of action taken by governments and nations....I had to infer the growth of a peculiar intellectual and spiritual fatigue in this generation which is so proud of what it has accomplished. (1)  

This impression gradually led him to the conclusion that our civilization was no longer safe because it had developed much greater vigor materially than it had spiritually.Through the discoveries which subject the powers of nature to us in such a remarkable way the living conditions of individuals, of groups, and of states have been completely revolutionized. Our knowledge and consequent power are enriched and enhanced to an unbelievable extent; and thus we are in a position to frame the conditions of man’s existence incomparably more favorably in many respects than was previously possible. But in our enthusiasm for knowledge and power we have arrived at a mistaken conception of what civilization is. We overvalue the material gains wrung from nature, and have no longer present in our minds the true significance of the spiritual element in life. And now come the stern matters of fact which call us to reflect. They teach us in terms of awful severity that a civilization which develops itself on the material, and not in a corresponding degree on the spiritual side, is like a ship with defective steering gear, which becomes more un-steerable from moment to moment, and so rushes on to catastrophe. (2)

It was to avoid this catastrophe that Schweitzer devoted himself and his work.   

My name is Meaghan Dyer and I have lived in Lions Bay since I was in kindergarten. I am in first year at Queen’s University and this year I have been offered an amazing opportunity with the International Student Volunteers organization.

ISV is a program that takes university students to different countries around the world to engage in volunteer opportunities. I have been chosen to go to New Zealand and participate in this program for a month in the summer. The program is comprised of two week of volunteer work and a two-week adventure camp. I will get the opportunity to work with a group dedicated to environmental conservation, in grass-root programs to learn more about the environment and help sustain it within the area. In The adventure camp incorporates a chance to see, I will have the opportunity to see amazing aspects of New Zealand by horseback and includes activities such as zorbing and black water rafting.

Growing up in Lions Bay, I have been an active volunteer within the community. Many of you may have met me working with your kids in the Back Yard Pool Program or helping out at events like the Santa Claus breakfast. This program is a great opportunity for me to expand my volunteer work further and to gain some amazing life experience.Being accepted into this program is a remarkable opportunity for me, but as a volunteer in this program I have to cover my costs. I have been working throughout this school year and I am still looking for financial sponsors.

If you or your company might be interested in helping to support this experience financially, you can contact me through the information below. Thank you for reading this and I hope I’ve piqued your interest in sponsoring this awesome volunteer opportunity! Meaghan Dyer – phone:613-876-4612 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it