Szabadkőműves kincs, ami nincs… A magyar szabadkőműves páholyok pénzügyi mozgástere (1895–1916)
The Freemasons’ Treasures That Never Were. The Financial Flexibility of Hungarian Masonic Lodges (1895–1916)

Summary/Abstract: There are still many myths about Freemasonry. One such – mistaken – assumption about the federation is that its influence stems in part from its fabulous wealth. However, the financial possibilities of Freemasonry in Hungary were severely limited. The main source of income for lodges came from membership fees. The personal incomes of most of the staff were, in more fortunate cases, sufficient to provide a decent middle-class living for their families. However, they were almost incapable of doing anything beyond that. The budgets of the free educational institutions established by Freemasonry were low and unprofitable. It was difficult for the lodges to financially support the radical student and teacher societies. The maintenance of the war hospital in the capital, established by the Grand Lodge in 1914, was also beyond the federation's financial capacity. It can be stated, therefore, that Hungarian Masonic lodges did not have considerable wealth and their activities were limited to modest projects with a narrow margin of maneuver.

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