Thomas Albert Bland was Professor of Christian Ethics and Sociology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a reading of Isaiah 40 (0:00-6:13). After which there is a time of singing (6:14-7:50). Bland’s message calls believers to wait on the Lord. Bland begins by discussing the current impatience of the American church (7:51-8:53). He explains that Isaiah chapter 40 is calling the Church to wait on the Lord (8:54-11:21). He provides corresponding illustrations, demonstrating the need to wait on the Lord (11:22-23:34). He concludes by challenging his audience to wait on the Lord (23:35-23:58). He closes in prayer (23:59-24:19).
George Hays was the Treasurer of the Japan Baptist Mission organization. The service begins with a scripture reading of selected passages from Isaiah 6 and Matthew 28 from 0:00-2:36. A prayer is offered from 2:39-4:58. An introduction to the speaker is given from 5:04-7:53. Dr. Hays speaks from 7:59-46:26. Hays preaches about the role of a missionary and how to be a missionary to Japan. Music plays from 46:28-46:55. A closing prayer is offered from 46:59-47:28.
Walter J. Harrelson was Professor of Theology at Vanderbilt University Divinity School in Nashville, TN. The service starts with a prayer from 0:00-0:34. Isaiah 2 is read from 0:46-1:50. A prayer is offered from 1:51-3:42. Dr. Harrelson is introduced from 3:52-4:21. Harrleson speaks from 4:26-48:10. His message was centered on sharing biblical imagery to a modern world about the gospel despite the possibilities of it being outdated. The service closes with music from 48:36-48:52.
James Leo Green was Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament. The service opens with prayer and music from 0:00-2:25. The faculty and students are welcomed to the Founder's Day chapel from 2:30-5:50. Dr. Green is introduced from 5:56-8:28. Another song is played from 8:34-12:04. Dr. Green preaches from 12:15-54:18. Green's message was titled, "A Simple Plea For More Prophetic Preaching." His source text was Isaiah 58:1. Green shares that Southeastern should be a school of the prophet, equipping ministers to be spiritual leaders all over the world. President Binkley offers closing remarks from 54:25-54:45. The seminary hymn is played from 54:46-59:23.
Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey was the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with an opening prayer from 0:00-1:31. There are scripture readings from various verses in Isaiah 58, Isaiah 40, 2 Corinthians 5 & 6 from 1:40-9:44. Special music is played from 9:52-13:03. Dr. Stealey gives the address from 13:06-29:44. Stealey gives a moment to recognize the students for completing their studies at the seminary. He encourages them to serve God faithfully and to love well everywhere they go. There is a tribute to Dr. Stealey from 29:46-32:55 as this is his last event as president of the seminary before he retires. J. Glenn Blackburn gives a few closing remarks and benediction from 32:56-37:38.
Eric Charles Rust was a professor of Christian philosophy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with the reading of the source text, Isaiah 45:9-17, from 0:16-3:04. Dr. Rust is introduced from 3:13-5:17. Another prayer is made from 5:21-7:12. The choir sings a hymn from 7:25-9:18. Dr. Rust speaks from 9:27-27:56. Rust preaches on the definition of sin, the glory of God, and the saving love of Jesus.
Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey was the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served from 1951-1963. Dr. Stealey began with a scripture reading of Romans 8:38-39 and preached from Isaiah 51:1-4. He speaks for the entirety of the audio recording. Stealey talks about the vision for the seminary and the grace of God, saying "God expects those He blesses to be a blessing", highlighting the idea that the love of God should be a light we carry.
After a poem and a few prayers (start-3:25), Truman S. Smith, Instructor in Pastoral Care and Assistant Director of Field Work at SEBTS, preaches about peace in the face of death from Isaiah 26:1-6.