After prayer, a hymn, and a responsive reading (start-8:40), Pope Alexander Duncan, Professor of Church History, spoke about standards and having a conscience, specifically in that time’s culture. He spoke about three ways the conscience could be set, or developed: through tradition, others, and through inner growth.
After reading Philippians 2:19-3:4, Dr. William Claudius Strickland, who was Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation, spoke about the "Three Marks of a Worshiping Community". The three marks are worshiping God by His Spirit, boasting only in Lord Jesus, and not allowing oneself to depend on physical advantages.
After the reading of Psalm 118:1-6 and prayer (start-5:05), Jesse Burton Weatherspoon, Visiting Professor of Preaching, teaches on the love of God revealed in the Holy Spirit (5:06-35:14). The service concluded with a song.
After reading Romans 8:28-30, announcements, a reading from the hymnal, and a prayer (start-5:33), Dr. Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey, the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preaches about what the love of God is in the context of Romans 8:28.
After some hymns, reading Colossians 3:12-21, and a prayer (start-7:50), Olin Trivette Binkley, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Sociology and Ethics (and future President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), reviewed the seminary’s covenant, specifically the part about family.
After the reading of Isaiah 40:28-31 (start-1:42), John Burder Hipps, Professor of Missions, Emeritus, preaches about life at its best from John 10:7-16.
After a prayer (start-4:01), Dr. W. Perry Crouch, a trustee of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, gives a few points towards the manifold task of the modern pastor.
Dr. Stealey welcomes and introduces Dr. Eduard Schweizer, a visiting lecturer who is a New Testament professor from the University of Zurich. Dr. Schweizer proceeds to discuss differing views, especially a gnostic one, on the "Body of Christ" and then posits the position he believes is most in line with the Bible.
After a few songs, the reading of Philippians 1:9-18, and a prayer, Dr. John Hall Buchanan, chairman of the survey committee that helped start Southeastern, is introduced (start-14:32). Dr. Buchanan encourages the class of 1959 from Philippians 1:9-11 (14:35-49:58). Dr. Stealey then concludes the service with a prayer.
After some songs and the opening prayer (start-5:05), Isaiah 40:18-31 and 2 Corinthians 5:10-21 are read to the graduates (5:06-12:03). Dr. Marc Hoyle Lovelace, Professor of Archeology, gives the charge from 2 Timothy 3:17 to the graduates of the class of 1959 (12:04-26:50). Dr. Stealey, the president of the seminary finishes with the benediction (26:51-end).