Intercession: A Sermon Preached by the Rev. B. N. Michelson, B.A.

Delivered from the historic Central Synagogue in London in late 1916, this powerful sermon captures a moment when a nation exhausted by war sought spiritual refuge. Reverend Michelson weaves biblical promise with the stark realities of a world torn by conflict, urging listeners to unite in prayer and moral resolve. The address sets a solemn tone, framing the approaching New Year as a chance for collective intercession.

He confronts the horrors of modern warfare, recalling tragedies like the executions of nurses and sailors, while reminding the audience that cruelty is not a trait of any single nation but a danger to civilization itself. By invoking history and psychology, he argues that true progress depends on restraining the primal beast within us and cultivating justice, mercy, and refinement. Listeners are left with a stirring call to seek not only victory, but a peace that ennobles the mind and purifies the soul.