|
Vaux Lodge No. 393
F.& A.M.
Three Handled Loving Cup
This wonderful Loving Cup commemorates the 43rd
Anniversary of Vaux Lodge No. 393 (1867-1910) and pictures the Past Grand Master of Pa. R.
W. Richard Vaux on the cup for whom the Lodge was named. It also names the three
principal officers of the Lodge in 1910. It stands 7 1/4 inches tall.
Richard Vaux (1816-1895) U.S.
Congressman to 51st Congress, 1890-91, from Pa. Born Dec. 19, 1816 in
Philadelphia. Admitted to the bar at Philadelphia in 1837. In diplomatic service
in Great Britain one year, and declined appointment as secretary of legation at
St. Petersburg. Served in the state house of representatives in 1839; was
recorder of deeds and later mayor of Philadelphia. Was raised in Lodge No. 3,
Philadelphia on Feb. 21, 1843; exalted in Harmony Chapter No. 52, R.A.M. on
Sept. 24, 1846; exalted in Philadelphia Commandery No. 42, K.T., Nov. 16, 1855.
As Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, he laid the cornerstone of
the Masonic Temple at Philadelphia in 1868. Died March 22, 1895.
The Ceremony
of the Loving Cup
An Ancient Masonic Ceremony of Sharing
Author
Unknown
This is an old tradition in Wellington Lodge No. 1385 usually performed at the
conclusion of a banquet. It is a very old custom which seems to have almost died
out, at least in Craft Masonry. Wellington tries to maintain this tradition and
is famous for it.
Actually the Loving Cup should be passed after the Entered Apprentice song has
been sung. This is a ceremony handed down through the ages and need not be
limited to initiations, which Wellington does not do.
The procedure was for three Brethren to stand, two would unsheath their swords
and the third (middle) to hold up the cup by the two handles and to drink whilst
the two others defended him, one facing him and the other with his back to the
drinker’s back. Having taking his draught, the drinker then wipes the cup with a
napkin. The two brethren with thier backs together then turn to face each other
and the cup is handed over. The next brother in the line now stands to protect
the back of the drinker, and so on.
A later variation of the Loving Cup for toasting is the large two handled
wassail bowl or cup, usually pewter or silver and sometimes bearing the Lodge
badge or crest. At the festive Board it is passed round from Brother to Brother
around the table. The word “wassail” comes from the old English “Waes Hail”,
meaning “Be thou whole and of good health”. The custom of protection of the
drinker’s back is said to date back to Saxon times, when a man might be
treacherously stabbed whilst drinking - hence a friend or two defend him with
drawn swords. This may be borne out by the murder, in A.D. 979 of King Edward
(later known as Edward the Martyr), when he was so stabbed on the orders of his
stepmother, Elfrida, so that her own son, Ethelred could become King instead. He
was stabbed at the feast while drinking mead from a two handled loving cup by a
paid assassin.
There are many forms of the ceremony but the process of sharing, coupled with
mutual protection is the same — it reinforces the ancient Masonic bond we have
with each other.
|
