CHAPTER XXXV.
THE ARMENIANS.
1865-1867.
An association of native churches and pastors, called the Harpoot Evangelical Union, was formed at Harpoot near the close of 1865.

It was to serve the purpose of a Home and Foreign Missionary Society, also of an Education and Church Building Society.

It could form new churches, ordain and dismiss pastors, grant licenses to preachers, and depose the unworthy.

It was to hold an annual meeting, and such other meetings during the year as circumstances might require.
Aggrieved church-members might appeal to it under certain limitations.
A similar association had been formed, September, 1864, by the churches in the Broosa and Nicomedia districts, called "The Union of the Evangelical Armenian Churches of Bithynia," embracing eight churches, and afterwards including the churches of Constantinople.
Another was formed at Marsovan, at the close of 1868, and called "The Central Evangelical Union," and another in Central Turkey, called "The Cilicia Union." The effect of these organizations has been to enlarge the views of churches and ministers, and make them feel that the work of evangelizing the people around them belonged naturally to themselves.

It also greatly developed a spirit of self-denying love for their work among the pastors and preachers, and a spirit of unity and independence among the churches.