The first and fourth stanzas of the hymn “Come, Thou Almighty King” is prayed over the congregation at the tenth convocation of the seminary’s existence (00:00-00:42). President Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey introduces Dr. Miller concerning his educational, ministerial, and working background; he was the Dean of Harvard Divinity School (00:43-05:29). Dr. Miller’s sermon title is “Souls Threshed from their Husks,” a phrase taken from William Blake’s work. He believes the prime urgency of the ministry of the twentieth century is to be a well-founded, unconfused person, since many are confused as to what this means. Such a man, through theological integration, has been stripped of the world’s illusions and understands true personhood in Christ (05:30-22:16). We must live “at the growing edge redemptively” – the edge where God’s revelations come to life in difficult moments when sometimes words fail to pass from our lips (22:17-37:52). The crises of our lives force us to answer for ourselves what we think, feel, or believe alone before God, and these moments are what God uses to thresh our souls from their husks over our lifetimes (37:53-41:44).
Searcy Garrison was the Executive Secretary of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The service begins with Dr. McDowell leading in prayer and introducing the speaker from 0:00-5:42. Dr. Garrison speaks from 5:45-30:45. His source text was Joshua 1:1-3, 5-7. Garrison notes that God is continually revealing Himself to those with eyes to see, ears to hear, and minds to obey the will of God. He states that we have a responsibility to share the Gospel with the rest of the world.
Clifton Judson Allen was Editorial Secretary of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. The service opens with a scripture reading from 0:00-0:18. A prayer is offered from 0:19-0:53. The chapel sings “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” from 0:57-4:29. A reading from the Psalms takes place from 4:39-6:15. A moment of prayer is shared from 6:22-8:32. An introduction to the speaker is given from 8:38-10:08. Allen speaks from 10:16-29:29. The title of his message is “Let God be God.” He poses questions for the students to consider who God is and how important He is to our life. Rev. Allen encourages the chapel to let God be who He is: a creator, a redeemer, and so much more.
The service opens with an announcement of the spring choir concert from 0:00-0:27. An opening scripture reading occurs and music plays from 0:28-0:58. A responsive reading takes place from 1:05-3:00. The Student Coordinating Council goes over the Honor Policy that members of the council must abide by from 3:10-7:30. Further announcements on the Student Coordinating Council are given from 7:38-9:40. A prayer is offered from 9:42-10:33. Music plays from 10:39-11:16. A closing prayer is offered from 11:19-12:49. This service was organized by the Student Coordinating Council.
Charles Wellborn was the pastor of James Baptist Church in Waco, TX. There is an introduction to the speaker from 0:00-1:09. Music plays from 1:16-3:39. A few announcements are made from 3:42-4:01. Rev. Wellborn preaches from 4:03-31:35. His source text was Matthew 22:34-40. Charles Wellborn shares that we are to be committed to God and others. His sermon was titled, "Dimensions of Commitment."
Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey was the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Stealey offers a prayer from 0:39-3:35 and delivers his sermon from 3:42-18:18. Stealey preaches on how God is the only thing in this world that is worth knowing and valuing. He encourages the students to continue to put their primary interest in their lives in God.
Edwin Richmond York was a student at SEBTS. The service begins with the scripture reading of Psalm 91:1 and a prayer from 0:00-4:29. York gives a message titled, "Salt of the Earth." Richmond notes how pastors are called to be spiritual leaders yet suffer from not truly believing the promises in the Bible that they proclaim. He calls upon his fellow students to truly be salt of the earth. York speaks from 4:45-14:57. This service was organized by the Student Coordinating Council.
The order of service is reviewed from 0:00-5:24. There is a silent prayer from 5:25-6:42. Music plays from 6:43-10:57. Another moment of quiet prayer takes place from 10:58-11:18. A second hymn is sung from 11:18-16:12. A reading titled, “Christmas Even in County Hospital” is read from 16:23-22:22. This service was organized by the Student Coordinating Council.
After a prayer and introduction (start-1:35), William Randall Lolley, associate pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX (and eventually the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), speaks about the theology of man and how our anthropology has let us down.
