Standing left to right - Nathan Morrision, Oliver Jones, James Ross

By  W. Bro. Nathan Andrew Morrison, PProvGStB (W.Wales)
Founding Member and Inaugural Chairman, The Mackworth Club
 

Right Worshipful Brother President, Worshipful Brother Chairman, Distinguished Brethren and Brethren all,
It is both a pleasure ... and a privilege ... to stand before you today, not only as a Brother, but as the Founding Chairman of this Club, to speak briefly on the work I have entitled:
 

“From the East He Shone: The Masonic Light of Sir Herbert Mackworth and Its Reflection in the Mackworth Club.”
 

I do not intend to present the full lecture this afternoon, though I trust there may be a fitting occasion for that soon. Instead, I offer a spoken reflection, drawn from the heart of that research, and designed to remind us all why we bear the name Mackworth, and what that legacy still asks of us today.
 

Sir Herbert Mackworth – The Man Behind the Name - Let me begin, Brethren, with a simple question:
How many of us have truly considered the man behind the name Mackworth? Not just the baronetcy, not just the historic house at the Gnoll, but the Mason, the Builder, the Visionary.
 

Sir Herbert Mackworth was born on New Year’s Day, 1737 into a family of influence. He was classically educated, legally trained, politically engaged. By any worldly measure ... he was a success.
 

But in 1779, he took on a role that was neither political ... nor inherited by birth. He was appointed Provincial Grand Master of South Wales, under the authority of the Premier Grand Lodge of England. At that time, Welsh Freemasonry was scattered... Lodges under competing constitutions... Rituals inconsistent... Administration sparse... Mackworth’s response? Not to observe ... But to act. He began to build — not with brick or coal — but with... Structure. Regularity. Purpose. The Provincial Architect

Brethren, Mackworth was no mere figurehead. He did the real work. He issued warrants, to regularise existing Lodges. He oversaw the creation of new ones, especially in the growing industrial centres. He promoted education in Anderson’s Constitutions, helping Lodges understand not just their ceremonies... but their philosophy. And he linked urban and rural Lodges, uniting Brethren across distance and difference.

The result? A coherent, enduring Provincial identity. A framework of governance ... fraternity ... and purpose — which influenced all the Welsh Provinces that followed. And we, here in West Wales, remain a part of that very structure. The temple he began shaping in 1779 still surrounds us.
 

More Than a Builder — A Mason of the Enlightenment

It is vital, Brethren, to understand that Mackworth’s vision was not separate from his time. He was a man of the Enlightenment. Like Preston...  

William Preston (1742–1818)

A prominent English Freemason and author. Best known for his book Illustrations of Masonry, which sought to systematise and intellectualise Masonic ritual and philosophy. Emphasised Enlightenment values like moral virtue, education, and rational inquiry. Seen as a key figure in shaping modern speculative Freemasonry.

Like Dunckerley...

Thomas Dunckerley (1724–1795)

A British naval officer and influential Freemason. Illegitimate son of King George II (though this was only publicly claimed later in life). Helped standardise and expand Freemasonry across England, particularly the Royal Arch and other higher degrees. Promoted education and rational moral thought, aligning with Enlightenment ideals.

Like the Earl of Moira...

Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings (1754–1826)

Known as the Earl of Moira before 1816. British military officer, politician, and colonial administrator. A leading Freemason—served as Acting Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England. Advocate for reform, religious tolerance, and intellectual liberalism.

He viewed the Craft not as a gentleman’s club, but as a moral workshop — A place where ritual met reflection, and where better men made a better world.
 

He lived the principles we profess: Brotherly Love — by uniting fractured Lodges. Relief — by using both his civic and Masonic power to support education and welfare. Truth — by conducting himself with integrity in Parliament, in the Craft, and in life. He was exalted in the Royal Arch. He served as First Grand Principal. He held office as Senior Grand Warden. And he was President of the Grand Stewards’ Lodge. A Masonic pedigree ... matched only by his dedication.

The Mackworth Club – A Living Legacy

So... where do we, the Brethren of the Mackworth Club, stand in all this? We are not merely named after Sir Herbert Mackworth... We are charged with carrying forward his work. This Club was formed to support Light Blues — Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts, and newly Raised Master Masons. We offer education... mentoring ... and most importantly — fellowship.
 

And every time we welcome a new Brother, host an educational evening, visit a Lodge in need of support, that is, quite literally, a brick laid upon the foundation Mackworth first placed in 1779. We are not working in his shadow, We are working in his light.
 

Three Lessons from the Baronet Builder

Brethren, allow me to offer three enduring Masonic lessons that Sir Herbert Mackworth gives us today: Lead with Integrity, Mackworth did not lead for the sake of title. He led because he believed that good men could make a better world. Let your Masonic journey reflects truth and consistency.Build with Purpose Whether in Freemasonry or industry, he built for the future — not for applause. Let us build our Lodges, our friendships, and our understanding in the same way. Embrace the Labour, His baronetcy did not excuse him from effort, nor should our rank excuse us from responsibility. Let our aprons be symbols not of what we wear ... but of what we do.

A Final Reflection

Brethren, Sir Herbert Mackworth passed to the Grand Lodge Above in 1791. But I believe — truly — that the Light that shone from the Gnoll, has not been extinguished. It still burns — here in Carmarthen, in Swansea, Pembroke, Llanelli and in every Lodge, where a Brother raises his working tools in earnest labour. It burns in this Club — Our Club, and it burns in you. Let us wear the name Mackworth not simply with pride, but with purpose. Let us take that Light from the East — and pass it forward. So that when, one day, when others speak of our time in Freemasonry, they too may say, “From the East they shone.”

Thank you, Brethren…