Gord - Thank you! Very helpful. Looks like young Rev. Graham got his flock back on the straight path. Charles O'Neill Gord Lindsay wrote: > Charles, > > My understanding of Arianism in County Down in the 1830s is that it > was a departure from the strict precepts of the Presbyterian church. > Alexander Hanna in his little book "These Three Hundred and Forty > Years of Witness. An Historical Outline of Dundonald Presbyterian > Congregation 1645-1985 says the following referring to Rev. William > Graham who had recently taken over as minister from Rev Wm. Finlay > who he said "had strong unitarian views": > > "On returning to Belfast Mr Graham was friendly with Dr. Cooke and > his family and it was at this time that he was called to be Minister > of Dundonald congregation. Immediately following his ordination on > the 18th August 1835, he retreated to a cottage in North Antrim for > a fortnight, and there, with his Bible and Greek Testament, he spent > these days in prayer and meditation, dedicating himself anew to God > for the task that lay before him. > > On taking up his duties in Dundonald, he found the congregation had > lapsed into Arianism and indifference. Matters were in a low and > discouraging condition and many had left the Church, while a > considerable number of others walked over the hills to (Second) > Holywood Presbyterian Church at Shore Street. The young pastor of > twenty five years of age was full of faith and zeal. He preached > twice on Sundays in the old meeting house and on Sunday evenings > preached at meetings on the outskirts of the old parish boundary. One > such place may have been Ballysallagh National School. In the summer > he preached in the open·air and in the winter in barns and school > houses. Mr. Graham was made welcome in the homesteads and cottages of > his people, whom he often visited. The result of his first four years > of ministry at Dundonald was that the scattered members returned, > others from a distance joined the Church until the old Church was > filled to overflowing. More important still, spiritual life showed > itself in conviction, conversion; prayer, praise and missionary > interest. " > > Hope this helps a bit. > > Gord > > On 15-Mar-09, at 1:03 PM, Charles O'Neill wrote: > >> In doing some background reading related to my County Down ancestors, >> I've been looking through Vol. 12 of the O.S. Memoirs of Ireland, >> "Parishes of County Down III - 1833-8." I've come across a number of >> mentions of the "Arian" religion. > > >