Tomáš G. Masaryk na stránkách časopisu Svobodný zednář 1933‒1938

The volumes of the internal periodical of the Czech Free Masons 1933‒1938 make many references to T. G. Masaryk who was becoming an increasingly symbolic figure, shielding democratic Czechoslovakia at the time of enforced totalitarianism in neighbouring countries, especially in Germany. Czech Free Masons took Masaryk’s criticism about their organisation, expressed in his publication in 1905, extremely badly. It provoked heated discussions in their Lodges. It was especially Grand Master K. Weigner who often highlighted the religious dimension of Masaryk’s legacy. In general, there was a visible bond between Free Masonry and democracy which naturally led to the veneration of the President Liberator. Czech Free Masons had similar hopes in E. Beneš which was also true about German and Hungarian Free Masons in Czechoslovakia.