ftp problem

I'm running my first and only linux server.  RedHat 8.0.  I'm having
trouble using the ftp daemon vsftpd.  I had it running and connecting
anonymously, now I can't make any connections.  All I get is "connection
refused".  However, I can connect to my server via http. 

This is all new to me, so I'm using more of the GUIs than command lines 
for
configuring this.

One of the items that seems odd to me is I cannot customize the firewall
settings in the Security Level Configuration.  I make the changes, apply,
save, and they seem to revert back to the High settings, not allowing any
service.  Which obviously make me think that is why I cannot ftp to my
server.  I've also tried setting these via 'lokkit', no luck there either. 
 

Some of the threads here mentioned ipchains but I do not see that enabled
in 8.0.

I'm somewhat at a loss now as to what else to check.  Any ideas would be
appreciated.

Thanks

Mark DiTullio