This is French artist James Tissot’s depiction of the prophet Malachi ... that John the Baptist would come in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. Four hundred years ...

At the head of the procession in one of the depot wagons rode Elijah, the negro prophet, propped up on a cushion of velvet, bowing right and left to the populace, who stood awe-stricken at the ...