On Thursday, May 15, 1958, the commencement sermon was given in the SEBTS Chapel. After the prelude and processional (start-0:34), Dr. Sydnor Stealey, the President of SEBTS, gave an invocation (0:35-2:40). After a few more songs, prayer, Scripture reading, and the graduates’ gift to the seminary (2:41-22:20), Dr. Dotson McGinnis Nelson, Jr., the pastor at First Baptist Church of Greenville, SC, gave the main address entitled, “Truth Incarnate” (22:21-1:07:15). The service concluded with a hymn, a benediction from Dr. Stealey, and the recessional (1:07:16-end).
After President Stealey opens in prayer and the reading of Colossians 1:9-19 (start-06:44), he introduces and reads the Abstract of Principles (6:45-21:04). After making some concluding thoughts, Dr. Stealey moves on to having two new professors sign the Abstract of Principles (23:30-26:55). Those professors were Dr. James E. Tull, Professor of Theology, and Dr. Emily K. Lansdell, Professor of Missions.
After the reading of Philippians 4:7 and a prayer (start-2:10), Olin Trivette Binkley, the Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Sociology and Ethics (and future President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary), preached a sermon entitled “The Life of Man in the Light of God” from John 1:1-14.
After an introduction and welcome (start-3:55), Dr. George Raymond Beasley-Murray, the Principal of Spurgeon’s College in London, gives his second of three lectures on the subject of Baptism (3:56-46:42). The service then concludes with a song.
After an introduction and word of thanks from Dr. Stealey, the President of SEBTS (start-1:38), Dr. George Raymond Beasley-Murray, the Principal of Spurgeon’s College in London, gives his final of three lectures on the subject of Baptism (1:39-end).
Dr. Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey, the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks about meeting with the other Southern Baptist seminary presidents and about the further development of Southeastern.
After a song, prayer, and introduction (start-19:29), Dr. Robert Thomas Daniel formally presents the library to the President of the Board of Trustees, who then formally accepts it (19:29-25:38). After a few more hymns and prayers (25:40-32:52), Dr. George B. Connell preaches a sermon for the dedication of the library (32:53-57:13).
After the reading of Psalm 103:8-14 and prayer (start-3:45), Jesse Burton Weatherspoon, Visiting Professor of Preaching, teaches on worship and the love of God revealed in Jesus.
After reading 1 Peter 2:9, a prayer, and introduction (start-3:30), Luke Smith, a representative from the Personnel Department of the Foreign Mission Board, shares about a missions experience and his spiritual journey.