"It is almost the Greek name of the god of war whom the heathen worship," said the presbyter.
"He shall be a warrior," answered Ammonius--"a soldier of Christ; and the military designation is not inappropriate."
"It is almost the name for a ram!" said another.
"I desire him to become the leader of a flock," said Ammonius, "and the name is well enough."
"It is almost the name of one of the signs of the zodiac," said another.
"I pray that the boy's thoughts and hopes may be fixed upon celestial things," said Ammonius, "and the name is well enough."
"It almost signifies that he shall be most lean and spare," said yet another.
"I would not desire him to look like a glutton or a drunkard," said Ammonius, "and surely the name is well enough."
"It may signify 'entreated' or 'supplicated,' or 'execrated,' or 'accursed,'" said the presbyter, "and is certainly a strange name."
"I would ever have him sought after by the good and hated by the evil," answered Ammonius, "and I will not change the name. Let him be called Arius. Besides," he added, "what is in a name? Mine own idolatrous name signifieth 'dedicated to Am-un,' yet I hope ye take me to be a Christian. I call the farm Baucalis, from the murmur of the waters on the garden shore, but ye call it Boucalis, because it breedeth good cattle. Arius!--what doth it matter whether it meaneth this or that? I know it for the name of an honorable man and faithful friend, and, if the boy become what I hope to see him, he shall make both the name Baucalis and Arius loved and honored by the faithful everywhere. If he turneth out ill, a prouder name might be disgraced by him; therefore let him be called Arius."