John Brewster Darley (1744)

John Brewster Darley (1744) by Philippe Mercier hangs at Scarborough Art Gallery. It depicts an attractive little lad bearing a sweet, innocent expression. Nevertheless, he holds in his left hand a large gun and dresses like the eighteenth-century aristocrat he is being brought up to be. Although his clothes are tailor-made and fit perfectly, he dresses like a far older man; indeed, such a costume would be deemed old fashioned in the young Darley’s later years. Nevertheless, he is the very model of an English landowner: smart, powerful and a keen huntsman.

God speaks through Isaiah the prophet in 3:4:

“I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.”

Georgian squires aside, we seem to be living in days of weak Christian leadership. The giants of faith are departed, and we seem to be led by pygmies and kiddies. They wear the right clothes and make the right sounding noises, but children and babes they are.