Whereas the providence of God has removed from us our beloved pastor, Dr. E. B. Crisman, leaving us a sheep without a shepherd; therefore

Resolved, by the officers and members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, at Groesbeck, Texas, That, though pastorless, we will still strive to emulate the example and follow in the footsteps of our leader gone before. We bless God that it was ever our privilege to sit under the ministry of one so spotless in his life, so skillful in his leadership, so profound in his knowledge, so apt in his teaching, and so influential in his denomination as was Dr. Crisman. His path shone brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. As a ripened fruit he had grown sweeter and mellower with his age, shedding fragrance and sweetness upon all who came in contact with him, until it pleased the One whose image he wore in his heart to bid him release his hold and drop softly and silently into the Everlasting arms. And now that the silver cord is loosed, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, we sorrow indeed, but not as those who have no hope. Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. As our beloved pastor can now see him face to face and tell the story, saved by grace; so our hope, being sure and steadfast, enters into that within the veil; and even now we can see by faith our departed shepherd beckoning us to follow after. God's will be done! And may God not leave us comfortless in our affliction; and may he not leave comfortless those who are bound by the ties of natural affection to our pastor, and whose bereavement is therefore greater than ours! May he give solace to aching hearts and balm for wounded spirits.

Recognizing the fact that in the whole Cumberland Presbyterian Church Dr. Crisman had no superiors, we offer these resolutions to "The Cumberland Presbyterian," the "St. Louis Observer," and "Texas Church Helper" for publication.

W. C. MORRIS,
V. A. CRAWFORD,
A. D. RHEA,
           Committee.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, March 2, 1899, page 269]

E. B. Crisman was born in Winchester, Tenn., October 1st, 1831. He graduated from the Literary Department of Cumberland University in July, 1852. Before entering the University, he having avowed his faith in Christ, and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, became impressed to preach the gospel. Tennessee Presbytery received him under its care and instruction and after required preparation, he was licensed and then ordained thereby. His first service after graduation and ordination, was as supply for a brief period to the congregation at Athens, Ala. He was appointed in 1853 to the mission at Austin, Texas, where a small houseless congregation awaited his coming. The walls of the First Church had been erected and the roof constructed. There he spent four years, during which a large membership was gathered and the house of worship completed and paid for.

In 1858 he was called to the presidency of the Synodical Female College at Winchester, Tenn. The first term of the school opened with eighteen pupils and at the end of three and a half years the catalogue contained the names of 248 students, of whom 200 were boarders.

He entered the Confederate army in May, 1861, and served as chaplain of the 17th Tennessee regiment. After the war he presided one year as president of the Bransford Female Institute at Owensboro, Ky.

In 1868, December 23, he was married to Miss Lucy Otey, Meridianville, Ala., Rev. M. B. DeWitt officiating.

He served as treasurer of the General Assembly from 1868 to 1872; as clerk of the Assembly at Lincoln, Ill., in 1868, and in Evansville, Ind., in 1872. While acting as pastor of New Bethlehem Church in Mississippi, in 1874, he was elected superintendent of missions and corresponding secretary of the Assembly's Board, located at St. Louis. After serving in this position for seven years, he accepted the financial agency of Trinity University, Texas, and continued to act in that capacity for eight years, combining with this work during fifteen months the pastorate of the church at Corsicana, Texas, and for two years filling the chair of Biblical and Homiletic Instruction. In attestation of his learning and merit, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by this institution. Three times he declined the presidency of one of our universities, and similar offers from other institutions, preferring, it seemed, subordinate work. He was made moderator of the Assembly at Sedalia, Mo., in 1886.

Returning from Texas to Tennessee in 1889, he served for sixteen months as supply of the pulpit of the East Nashville Church, and for six months as agent of Dick White College, at Fayetteville, Tenn., during which time the new building was erected at the cost of $16,000, and free from liabilities. In 1891 he was invited to become again the pastor of his former charge in North Mississippi. There his loved wife died, Nov. 25, 1896. In 1898 he returned to Texas, and served with great satisfaction as pastor of Groesbeck, Fairview and Kosse churches until his death, which occurred at Tehuacana, February 13, 1899. He left three children, Mrs. Maud Lee Kimbell, Groesbeck, Texas; Mrs. Sophie Bell Johnson, Days, Miss., and William Otey Crisman, Tehuacana, Texas.

The eventful life of Dr. Crisman is not only full of interest to the inner circle of loving ones and of fond friends, but in many particulars it is suggestive of thought and is invigorating to the mind and heart of every one having knowledge of his career and the spirit within him. He entered upon a Christian life while quite young. Though the date of his conversion and his identification with the church were not given in the details supplied for this sketch, he evidently became a Christian when a mere lad or youth, for we note that he was preparing for the ministry several years before he reached his majority. It is related of the renowned Wilberforce that he was accustomed to lament that he had lost so much time before becoming a Christian, not having been converted until seventeen years old. Just as soon as the conditions of individuality are consciously realized, every life should be raised out of the mere physical, an experience coming only to those who are willing to commit themselves to Christ and receive essential help from him. After the higher nature has become capable of asserting through grace its control over the lower nature it is not only a waste but a degradation of human life to allow the body to dominate the mind and its powers. Dr. Crisman's devotion to gospel work is in evidence that the center of his life-forces had been "shifted from the world to the kingdom of God." In this transference is found the secret of real heart-interest, and self-sacrifice in religious work. Though he for a time "made tents" it was not for selfish ends, for his supreme ambition was to serve the cause he, so early in life, espoused.

Energy and zeal which determine the measure of life's achievements were displayed in a marked degree by our unresting brother, as preacher, educator, secretary of missions, university agent and author. It was amazing to note the quantity of written matter from his own pen while superintendent and corresponding secretary of missions. Mentally vigorous, he was always on the alert, fertile in measures and methods, intent, diligent, self-sacrificing, and accurate. Ardent and resolute in carrying out what he believed to be right, and for the common good, he was not a stranger to conflicts of opinion with brethren, which probably led some to misjudge his spirit and aim, but those who knew him well can recall how ready he was to atone for any seeming trespass and with compassion peculiar to the truly magnanimous, how prompt he was to forgive. The writer having had long acquaintance and intimate association with him in mission work knew much of his inner life--his unselfish devotion to church, to family, to friends. He was large-hearted--broad in sympathy--generous in nature and thorough-going. During his administration of the affairs of the Board of Missions, the financial liabilities were canceled, the mission in Japan was founded, and the home work of the church was much enlarged. Of his agency for Trinity University, one, in position to know, bears testimony that it was most efficient and satisfactory; that the greater portion of the endowment of the school was secured by him and that he accomplished a great work for the cause of Christian education in Texas.

As an author he published: "Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Church," written in 1856. This happily conceived, well-written volume has passed through six editions and has had a circulation of 20,000 copies. "Mode of Baptism" in 1872, two editions, 4,000 copies. "Our Old Men" in 1878, one edition, 1,000 copies. He also wrote sundry pamphlets and addresses on Christian doctrine, temperance, prohibition, etc. He edited various weeklies and monthlies during his days of greater vigor; founded the Missionary Record at St. Louis and edited it for five years. At one time while issued in sheet-form, the circulation was twelve thousand.

In the home-life, ingenuous natures impress their lessons. Dr. Crisman was happily married to one of the truest and most amiable of women and the domestic circle was a little kingdom--love reigned.

There were no tedious years of idleness. Something remained to be done. Into the pastorate, a vocation fullest of enjoyment to the capable and willing, the door seemed always open to him; and whether in the city, the village, or the rural district his labors were bestowed, it mattered little with him, only that he might fulfill his ministry. Having commenced to serve his generation early in his own life he worked on to the end. God took him.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 8, 1899, page 714]

1851-1852
Crisman, E. B., Winchester, Tenn.
Undergraduate Student - Cumberland University
Graduating Class of 1852 - E. B. Crisman
The following young Gentlemen are Candidates for the Minister - E. B. Crisman.
Alumni of Cumberland University - E. B. Crisman, A. B., C. P. Minister, Athens, Ala. (1852).
[Source: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, for the Academic Year, 1851-1852, pages 12, 16 & 32]

1852-1853
Alumni of Cumberland University - E. B. Crisman, A. B., C. P. Minister, Athens, Ala. (Class of 1852).
[Source: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, for the Academic Year, 1852-3, page 30]

1856
E. B. Crisman
Minister - Colorado Presbytery - Colorado Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 15-22,1856, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Served on the Committee on the State of Religion.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, pages 4 & 8]

1856-1857
Alumni of Cumberland University - E. B. Crisman, A. B., C. P. Minister, Austin, Texas (Class of 1852).
[Source: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, for the Academic Year, 1856-7, page 39]

1857
E. B. Crisman, Austin, Tex.
Minister - Colorado Presbytery - Colorado Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 67]

1858
E. B. Crisman
Minister - Colorado Presbytery - Colorado Synod
Commissioner to General, May 20-28, 1858, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Served on the Committee on Missions.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1858, pages 4 & 7]

1866
E. B. Crisman
Minister - Texas Presbytery - Texas Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 17-26,1866, in Owensboro, Kentucky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1866, page 6]

1867
E. B. Crisman
Minister - Ohio Presbytery - Green River Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 16-24, 1867, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Served on the Committee on Publication.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1867, pages 4 & 8]

1868
E. B. Crisman, Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - McDonald Presbytery - Hernando Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 21-29, 1868, in Lincoln, Illinois.
Officers of the Assembly, Rev. E. B. Crisman, Treasurer, Memphis, Tenn.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, pages 7, 105]

1869
E. B. Crisman, Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - McDonald Presbytery - Hernando Synod
Officers of the Assembly, Rev. E. B. Crisman, Treasurer, Memphis, Tenn.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, pages 83 & 92]

1870
Crisman, E. B., Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - McDonald Presbytery - Hernando Synod
E. B. Crisman, Treasurer of the General Assembly.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, pages 69 & 78]

1871
Crisman, E. B., Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - McDonald Presbytery - Hernando Synod
Clerks of the General Assembly - Rev. E. B. Crisman, Permanent Clerk, Memphis, Tenn. The Permanent Clerk is ex-officio Treasurer.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, pages 2 & 79]

1872
Crisman, E. B., Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - McDonald Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Rev. E. B. Crisman, Treasurer of the General Assembly, Memphis, Tenn.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, pages , 115 & 120]

1873
Crisman, E. B., Memphis, Tenn.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 97]

1874
Crisman, E. B., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 21-29, 1874, in Springfield, Missouri.
Served on the Committee on Finance.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, pages 5, 9, & 96]

1875
Crisman, E. B., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 83]

1876
Crisman, E. B., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister -Vandalia Presbytery - Central Illinois Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 18-26 ,1876, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Served on the Committee on Deceased Ministers.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, pages 4, 8, & 97]

1877
Crisman, E. B., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister -Vandalia Presbytery - Central Illinois Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 92]

1878
Crisman, E. B., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Missouri Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 16-23, 1878, in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Served on the Committee on Finance.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, pages 5, 8, & 101]

1879
Crisman, E. B., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Missouri Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 15-22, 1979, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Served on the Committee of the State of Religion.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, pages 5, 8, & 95]

1880
Crisman, E. B., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 123]

1881
Crisman, E. B., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 95]

1882
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 18-26, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Served on the Committee on Education.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, pages 4, 8 & 125]

1883
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 133]

1884
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 122]

1885
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Corsicana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 138]

1886
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Kirkpatrick Presbytery - Brazos Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 20-27, in Sedalia, Missouri.
The Rev. E. B. Crisman, a Commissioner from the Presbytery of Kirkpatrick, was elected Moderator.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, pages 4, 7, & 158]

1887
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Kirkpatrick Presbytery - Brazos Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 19-25,1887, in Covington, Ohio.
The Stated Clerk called the General Assembly to order, and announced that the Moderator, the Rev. E. B. Crisman, though he had arrived in Covington, was unable, by reason of sickness, to be present, and at the Moderator's request, the opening sermon would be preached by the Rev G. L. Moad.
Served on the Committee on Overtures.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, pages 3, 4, 8 & 155]

1888
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Tehuacana, Tex.
Minister - Tehuacana Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 175]

1889
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 176]

1890
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
Pastor - Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Nashville, Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, pages 123 & 224]

1891
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Hernando, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Hernando Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Hernando, Mississippi
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, pages 141 & 208]

1892
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Hernando, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Hernando Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Hernando, Mississippi
Pastor - Nesbit Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Nesbit, Mississippi
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 19-26 ,1892, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Served on the Committee on Education.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, pages 5, 9, 149 & 216]

1893
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Nesbit, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Hernando Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Hernando, Mississippi
Pastor - Nesbit Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Nesbit, Mississippi
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, pages 151 & 218]

1894
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Days, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Hernando Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Hernando, Mississippi
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, pages 165 & 230]

1895
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Nesbit, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, pages 172 & 238]

1896
Crisman, E. B., D.D., Days, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Eudora Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Eudora, Mississippi
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, pages 158 & 218]

1897
Crisman, E. B., D.D. (c), Days, Miss.
Minister - Oxford Presbytery - Mississippi Synod
Pastor - Eudora Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Eudora, Mississippi
Pastor - Hernando Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Hernando, Mississippi
Pastor - New Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Days, Mississippi
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 20-27, 1897, in Chicago, Illinois.
Served on the Committee on Ways and Means.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1897, pages 6, 12, 183 & 281]

1898
Crisman, E. B., Groesbeck, Tex., in transitu
Pastor - Groesbeck Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Groesbeck, Tex.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1898, pages 253 & 307]

1899
Ordained Ministers Deceased
Name: Crisman, E. B., D.D.
Occupation: charge
Presbytery: Tehuacana
Place of Residence: Groesbeck, Tex.
Date: Feb. 13, 1899
Age: 61
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 165a]

Crisman, E. B. Anniversary Sermon. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1872. [Pamphlet, 2 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Biographical Sketches of Living Old Men, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. St. Louis, Mo.:Perrin and Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877. [6 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Doctrinal Sermon; Preached on the Anniversary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868. Memphis, Tenn.: Hite & Corwine, Mercantile Job Printers, 1868. [Pamphlet, 1 copy in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Memphis: Eagle and Enquirer Book and Job Steam Presses, 1856. [No copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, 1856. [1 copy in archives - cover missing]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. 2nd Ed. St. Louis, Mo.: A. F. Cox, 1858. [5 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1868. [2 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1870. [1 copy in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Pub. House, 1875. [No copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin & Smith, Steam Book and Job Printers, 1877. (Preface says it has been enlarged and improved) [4 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. Origin and Doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church In Two Parts. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, no date. [8 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. A Scriptural Argument. Infant Baptism in a Nutshell. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin & Smith, Book and Job Printers, 1880. [4 copies in archives]

Crisman, E. B. A Scriptural Argument on the Baptism of Infants. Second Edition. St. Louis, Mo.: Perrin & Smith, Book and Job Printers, 1875. [Pamphlet, 37 pages, cover missing - 1 copy in archives]

After many months of waiting on the borderland, Mrs. Crisman, wife of E. B. Crisman, D.D., Days, Miss., has entered into rest. A telegram from Dr. Crisman dated at Nesbitt, Miss., Nov. 25, says: "Mrs. Crisman went to heaven at 6 o'clock this evening." Our tenderest sympathies are with the sorrowing loved ones. A pure and noble life was hers, and death came as a relief from much suffering, through all of which she had the constant, devoted attention of her husband and others.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 3, 1896, page 719]