After a reading of Isaiah 40:31 and a prayer (start-3:45), James E. Tull, Professor of Theology, calls the listener’s attention to what the “world” is in the gospel, especially when looking at John 3:16.
After reading Psalm 95:6-7, a prayer, and introduction (start-2:50), Glendon McCullough, the Personnel Secretary of the Home Mission Board, shared an inspiring message about a Japanese-American who had a zeal for evangelism during World War II. [The audio from the original tape cuts off before message was finished.]
After reading Romans 13:1-10 and a hymn (start-5:15), B. Elmo Scoggin, Professor of Old Testament, goes over Southeastern Seminary’s covenant and discusses how it should be lived out.
Dr. Stealey introduces Dr. Eduard Schweizer, a professor of New Testament from the University of Zurich, who then proceeds to lecture on “The Disciples of Jesus in the Post-Easter Church”. Using the parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:11-32, as a jumping off point, Dr. Schweizer focuses on what Jesus would want for the church now.
On Friday, May 16, 1958, the graduation program was given in the SEBTS Chapel. The audio begins with the conferring of awards and degrees by Dr. Sydnor Stealey, the President of SEBTS (start-19:14). Dr. Olin Trivette Binkley, Professor of Christian Sociology and Ethics and Academic Dean of SEBTS, then gave the charge to the graduates (19:15-33:02). [The recording ends at this point due to the rest having being inadvertently overwritten at some point before digitization.]
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).
After an introduction by Dr. Stealey (start-3:30), Dr. Roger G. Branch, the Secretary of Missions for the Baptist Convention of North Carolina, shares three lessons he learned about pastoral ministry through his 25 years of experience. The three lessons are maintaining a wholesome self-scrutiny, the need for developing lay people, and there is tremendous value in the relationship to that denomination of which you are a part (3:31-19:01). The service concludes with a hymn (19:02-end).