Emphasis Preaching Journal

Legend has it that, in 1865 on a Sunday monring, a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia, was visited by a black man. Communion was offered during that service, and the congregation had always used the common cup. When the moment of distribution came, the black man stepped forward and boldly took his place at the communion rail. Others would say later that a wave of resentment seemed to fill the air. Just then a distinguished visitor stepped forward and said, without hesitation, "We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.