Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes Cavalcanti,
Medium Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes Cavalcanti. Brazil
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Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes Cavalcanti Medium Brazil.
1831-1900
From
the Spiritist Group of New York
Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes Cavalcanti was born in the old neighborhood of
Freguesia do Riacho de Sangue (Stream of Blood, today Solonopole, in Ceara,
Brazil, on August 29th, 1831. He died in Rio de Janeiro, on April 11th, 1900.
In the year of 1838, Adolfo Bezerra de Menezes Cavalcanti, started studying at
the public school of the Friar's Villa, where in only ten months he sufficiently
prepared himself to reach the degree of knowledge of his master, who was
responsible to guide his first educational phase. At a very early age, he
revealed to be extremely intelligent. When he was eleven years old he was able
to commence the course on Humanities. At thirteen he knew Latin so well that he
not only gave classes to his colleagues, but also was called to replace his
teacher every time he had to be absent.
His father, Antonio Bezerra de Menezes, was captain of the old militias and
lieutenant - colonel of the National Guard; he was a stern man, extremely honest
and of irreproachable character. His wealth was derived from his cattle’s farm.
He spent large
sums of money in politics and in the assistance of friends and relatives,
because of his good-natured heart. Those people, however, only looked for him in
order to exploit his charitable feelings, and he ended up compromising his
fortune. Upon realizing that his debts equaled his possessions, he expressed to
his creditors his intention of giving them everything that he owned, in order to
pay off the debt. The creditors, being his friend, refused to accept such a
proposal, replying that he could pay them when and how he wanted.
In spite of the insistence of the elderly honest man, his creditors didn’t
change their minds. Mr. Antonio Bezerra de Menezes proposed them to remain as
the administrator of what one day was his fortune, only using from it the
strictly necessary
for the maintenance of his family, who changed from a previous comfortable
condition to a life of privations.
Encouraged by the firm purpose of being guided by his father's honest character,
Bezerra de Menezes, with a reduced amount of money, given to him by his
relatives, was taken by the firm purpose of overcoming all obstacles and headed
to Rio de Janeiro in order to follow the career that his vocation inspired him
to pursue: Medicine.
In November of 1852, he entered as
intern resident at the Mercy Hospital. He graduated from the College of Medicine
of Rio de Janeiro, in 1856, presenting a doctorate thesis about: “Diagnosis of
Cancer." It was when he started to sign only Adolfo
Bezerra de Menezes. On April 27th, 1857, he applied for a position of titular
member of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, presenting the work: "Some
Considerations on Cancer under its treatment perspective." The designated
reporter, Academic José Pereira Rego, read the result on May 11th, 1857, and the
election took place on May 18th of the same year, and he assumed the position in
June 1st. In 1858 he applied to a position, as substitute, in the Area of
Surgery in the College of Medicine. Due to the recommendation given by his
teacher Manoel Feliciano Pereira de Carvalho, at the time Chief Surgeon of
the Army, Bezerra de Menezes was named his assistant, assuming the position of
Surgeon - Lieutenant.
In 1861 Bezerra de Menezes was elected the municipal representative of the
Liberal Party, however the conservative chief, Haddock Lobo, under the
allegation of him being a military doctor, refuted his indication. With the
purpose of serving his Party, that needed him in order to obtain majority in the
Camera, Bezerra de Menezes decided to retire from the Army. In 1867, he was
elected General Deputy, and he was still present in three other lists for a
position in the Senate.
During his political career, injurious rumors and accusations were acclaimed
against him. As it happens with all honest politicians, a torrent of offenses
covered his name with insults. However, the test of purity of his soul was
given, when, abandoning the public life, he decided to live for the poor,
distributing with the needful the little that he possessed.
He was always ready to assist the need ones; wherever there was an illness to
combat, he would take to the afflicted the comfort of his kind words, the
resource of the doctor's science and the aid of his scarce but yet generous
purse.
Temporarily retired from the political activity, he dedicated himself to
entrepreneurial issues, creating the Company of Railroad Macae Campos, in Rio de
Janeiro. Later, he dedicated to the construction of the railroad of S. Antonio
of Padua, a
necessary stage to his, not succeeded desire, to make it reach the Rio Doce. He
was one of the directors of the Architectural Company that in 1872 opened the
“Boulevard September 28,” in the then neighborhood of Vila Isabel, whose name
was given to render homage to Princess Isabel. In 1875, he was president of
Company Carril S. Cristovao.
Returning to politics, he was elected municipal representative in 1876,
exercising the mandate up to 1880. He was also president of the Chamber and
General Deputy for the County of Rio de Janeiro, in the year of 1880.
Dr. Carlos Travassos had undertaken the task of translating Allan Kardec's
works, reaching a good result with the Portuguese version of "The Spirits’
Book.” As soon as the translation was published he gave a copy of the book to
the deputy Bezerra de Menezes - with a special dedication. The fact was
described by the future “Doctor of the Poor” as follows: “He gave me the book in
the city, and I lived in Tijuca, about an hour away from streetcar. I was
carrying the book with me and since I did not have anything else to read during
the trip I said, well, why not! I will certainly not go to hell for reading
this... And after all, it will be embarrassing to have to declare myself
ignorant regarding this philosophy, when I have been dedicating myself to the
study of all philosophical schools.
With this thought, I opened the book and I immediately became fascinated by it -
in the same way that happened to me when I read the Bible. I kept on reading,
but I couldn’t find anything that was new for my Spirit. However, all that was
new for me!... I had already read or heard everything that was in the "The
Spirits’ Book.” I was quite amazed with that wonderful fact and I said to
myself: it seems that I was a Spiritist without knowing it, or as people usually
say, I was born a Spiritist.”
On August 16th, 1886, an audience of about two thousand of the finest people in
town filled the room of honor of the Old Guard, in the Old Guard Street, current
May 13th Avenue, in Rio de Janeiro, to hear in silence, excited, amazed, the
wise word of the eminent politician, the eminent doctor, the eminent citizen,
the eminent Catholic, Dr. Bezerra de Menezes proclaiming his decision to became
Spiritist.
Bezerra was a religious person in the highest sense. Its pen, from that point
on, from the first signed article in January of 1887, was put to the service of
the religious aspect of Spiritism. He demonstrated his literary ability in the
philosophical and religious
aspect, either through excerpts or through evangelical studies. Because of that,
the Commission of Dissemination of the Spiritist Union of Brazil, assigned him
to write every Sunday in the newspaper "O Paiz," the series of "Philosophical
Studies,” under the title "Spiritism." Senator Quintino Bocaiúva, director of
this most read newspaper in Brazil became sympathetic with Spiritism.
The articles of Max, pseudonym of Bezerra de Menezes, marked the golden time of
the Spiritist dissemination in Brazil. From November 1886 to December 1893, he
wrote enthusiastically and continuously. The bibliography of Bezerra de Menezes,
before and after his change to Spiritism, is consisted of the following works: "
The Slavery in Brazil and the measures that are
deem to take for its extinction - without damage for the Nation,” “Brief
considerations on the droughts of the North,” “The Haunted House,” “Madness
under a New Prism,” Spiritism as a Teogonic Philosophy,” “Marriage and Shroud,”
“Black Pearl,” “Lazarus--the Leper,” “History of a Dream,” and “Gospel of the
Future.” He also wrote several biographies of famous men, such as the Viscount
of Uruguay, the Viscount of Carvalas, etc. He was one of the editors of “The
Reform,” a liberal organ of the Court, and editor of the newspaper “Sentry of
Freedom.”
Bezerra de Menezes referred to the medical activity with the highest regard, “A
doctor is not entitled to finish a meal, nor to ask if it is far or near, when
an afflicted person knocks on the door. Those who do not help because they are
entertaining guests or because they have worked long hours and are tired, or
because it is too late at night, bad road or bad weather, because is far or is
on the top of the hill, or above all, those who ask for a car for those who have
not even resources to pay for the prescription, or that say to those who are
crying at their door to seek for another doctor -- those are not doctors, but
rather medicine dealers, who work for the income and to pay off their college
debts. Those are unfortunates who send to others the angel of charity that came
to pay them a visit and that brought to them the only source that could satiate
their thirsty of Spiritual wealth, the only that will never get lost in the
sways of life.”
In 1883, a dispersive atmosphere prevailed in the core of the Brazilian
Spiritism and those who directed the Spiritist nuclei in Rio de Janeiro felt the
need of a better structured union, and for this very reason a stronger one. The
Spiritist Centers worked in an autonomous way. Each one of them exercised its
activity in a certain way, without having knowledge of the activities developed
by the others. This feeling led them to the foundation of the Brazilian
Spiritist Federation.
At those days the number of Spiritist Centers were already expressive, but the
only ones that maintained the hegemony of direction were four: "Academic,"
"Fraternity," "Spiritist Union of Brazil," and "Brazilian Spiritist Federation,"
however,
soon appeared among them alive discords. Under the auspices of Bezerra de
Menezes, and accepting the “instructions”
received from the spiritual plane by the Medium Frederico Junior, the famous “Spiritist
Center” was founded. This, however, didn't hinder Bezerra to continue
collaborating with all other institutions. The Spiritists' enthusiasm soon
faded, and the old worker saw himself abandoned by his companions, reaching the
point of being the only participant of the Center. The quarrels were deep among
the so-called "mystics" and "scientific," that is to say, Spiritists who only
accepted Spiritism in its religious aspect, and those who only accepted its
scientific and philosophical aspect.
In 1893, the convulsion provoked in Brazil by the Revolt of the Army, resulted
in the closing of all Spiritist societies or other societies. At Christmas time
of that same year, Bezerra ended the series of “Philosophical Studies” that he
had been publishing in the “O Paiz.”
In 1894, signs of improvement could be seen and the name of Bezerra de Menezes
was reminded as the only one capable of uniting the Spiritist movement. The
tireless worker, with 63 years of age, assumed the presidency of the Brazilian
Spiritist
Federation, position that he occupied until his death.
The year of 1900 was just beginning and Bezerra de Menezes suffered a strong
brain stroke that kept him in bed, from where he would never recover. A true
pilgrimage of visitors went to his house. Sometimes, rich people were seemed
there, other times poor individuals; he was visited by the opulent as well as by
those who possessed nothing. Nobody ignored the tremendous struggle lived by the
great apostle's of Spiritism family. Everyone knew of his financial
difficulties, but no one would have the
courage to offer any assistance, in a direct way. Because of that, the visitors
deposited their contribution, daintily, under his pillow. The following day, a
person that was changing his pillowcase was surprised in seeing there the money
of the poor and the large notes of the wealthy!...
Upon his death, a true pilgrimage went to his residence in order to pay him homage.
On April 17th, under the initiative of Leopoldo Cirne, a group of Bezerra’s
friends gathered in order to decide what would be the best way to assist
Bezerra’s family. They decided to form a commission directed by senator Quintino
Bocaiuva's, to promote shows and concerts, in benefit of the family of the one
who deserved the cognomen of "Brazilian" Kardec.
Worthy of mentioning is something that occurred to Dr. Bezerra de Menezes, when
he was still a student of Medicine. He was facing serious financial
difficulties, needing fifty thousand reis (old Brazilian currency), to pay his
college tuition, his rent
and other important expenses. His landlord was threatening to evict him without
any further consideration.
Desperate -- one of the rare times in which Bezerra felt despair -- yet filled
with faith, he raised his eyes to the on High and appealed to God.
Few days after someone knocked at his door. It was a nice and refined young man
who intended to hire him for some private Mathematics lessons. At first, Bezerra
refused alleging that Mat was the subject that he disliked most, but the visitor
insisted and finally, upon thinking about his desperate situation he agreed.
The young man expressed his desire to pay for the classes in advance, and
although Bezerra was reluctant to accept, he ended up agreeing with that. The
young man gave him the amount of fifty thousand reis. They agreed on the day and
hour for the
beginning of the classes, and the visitor left - leaving Bezerra very happy and
relieved, because he would be able to pay his rent and college tuition. Bezerra
looked for books in the public library to prepare himself for the classes, but
the young man never returned for the lessons.
In the year of 1894, in face of the disagreements prevailing in the core of the
Brazilian Spiritism, some companions, headed by Dr. Bittencourt Sampaio, decided
to invite Bezerra to assume the presidency of the Brazilian Spiritist
Federation. Bezerra was very reluctant to accept that thorny responsibility, and
the following conversation took place: --They want me to go back to the
Federation. As you all know that old society is without president and totally
disoriented. Instead of engaging in the systematic study of Spiritism or the
Gospel, it lives to discuss Byzantine thesis and to feed the spirit of hegemony.
--The worker of the vineyard, Bittencourt Sampaio said, is always assisted. The
Federation can be wrong regarding its doctrinal ways, but it is engaged in the
work of assistance to the needful, that is reason enough for it to attract the
sympathy of the Lord’s servants.
--I agree. But the work of assistance to the needful is adopting exclusively
Homeopathy in the treatment of the sick ones, a therapeutic that me and my
family follow and that I also recommend to friends, and I am not a homeopathic
doctor. This in fact has been creating serious difficulties in my career,
turning me into an useless doctor, one that doesn't believe in the official
medicine and that tells others to follow the Spirits’ advices, which hinder my
right to exercise my profession.
--And why don't you become a homeopathic doctor? Bittencourt asked.
--I have no knowledge of Homeopathy. I utilize the one of the Spirits and not
that of the doctors.
At that point, the spiritual Medium Frederico Junior, channeling the Spirit of
Saint Augustine, said:
--It is better this way. It will be easier for us to help you in the treatment
of our siblings.
--How, kind Spirit? Are you suggesting that I make my living out of Spiritism?
--Of course not! You will live of your profession, giving to your patients the
fruit of your human knowledge, studying Homeopathy as our friend Bittencourt
suggested.
We will help you in another way: Bringing you, whenever you need, new pupils of
Mathematics...
Translated by Jussara Korngold
From http://www.sgny.org/
Through Divaldo Franco,
communications in the following works
1991 – "Compromissos Iluminativos" (coletanea de mensagens, ed. LEAL) 1991 -
"Commitments Shining" (collection of posts, ed. LEAL)
By Francisco Candido Xavier, communications in the following works
1973 - "Bezerra, Chico e Voce" (coletanea de mensagens, ed. GEEM)
1973 - "Bezerra, Chico and You" (collection of messages, ed. GEEM)
1986 - 1986 - "Calls Christians" (collection of messages, ed. UEM)
1986 - 1986 "Apelos Chritaos"
"Nosso Livro"
"Our Book"
"Cartas do Coracao" "Letters from the Heart"
"Instrucoes Psicofonicas" "Instructions Psicofonias"
"O Espírito da Verdade" "The
Spirit of Truth"
"Relicário de Luz"
"Reliquary of Light"
"Dicionario d'Alma" "Dictionary d'Alma"
"Antologia Mediunica do Natal" "Psychic
Anthology of Christmas"
"Caminho Espírita" "Way
Spiritist
"Luz no Lar"
"Light at Home"
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