In 1917, the Beijing silk merchant Wei Enbo's vision of Jesus sparked a religious revival, characterized by healings, exorcisms, tongues-speaking, and, most provocatively, a call for a return to authentic Christianity that challenged the Western missionary establishment in China. This revival gave rise to the True Jesus Church, China's first major native denomination. The church was one of the earliest Chinese expressions of the twentieth century charismatic and Pentecostal tradition which is now the dominant mode of twenty-first century Chinese Christianity. To understand the faith of millions of Chinese Christians today, we must understand how this particular form of Chinese community took root and flourished even throughout the wrenching changes and dislocations of the past century. The church's history links together key themes in modern Chinese social history, such as longstanding cultural exchange between China and the West, imperialism and globalization, game-changing advances in transport and communications technology, and the relationship between religious movements and the state in the late Qing (circa 1850-1911), Republican (1912-1949), and Communist (1950-present-day) eras. Vivid storytelling highlights shifts and tensions within Chinese society on a human scale. How did mounting foreign incursions and domestic crises pave the way for Wei Enbo, a rural farmhand, to become a wealthy merchant in the early 1900s? Why did women in the 1920s and 30s, such as an orphaned girl named Yang Zhendao, devote themselves so wholeheartedly to a patriarchal religious system? What kinds of pressures induced church leaders in a meeting in the 1950s to agree that "Comrade Stalin" had saved many more people than Jesus? This book tells the striking but also familiar tale of the promise and peril attending the collective pursuit of the extraordinary-how individuals within the True Jesus Church in China over the past century have sought to muster divine and human resources to transform their world.

Dragons have thrilled the imagination since the days of ancient Greece and Rome. From heroes like Hercules to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, from Frodo in The Hobbit to St. George, generations of heroes -- real and fictional -- have sought to slay the Great Worms and plunder their treasure troves. This volume collects 25 modern and classic works about dragons (plus a bonus short poem), from Beowulf to the Brothers Grimm, from Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" to modern tales great new writers like Michael Kurland and Gary Lovisi. Included are: SYMPATHY FOR DRAGONS, by John Gregory Betancourt THE FOUR CLEVER BROTHERS, by The Brothers Grimm THE FIFTY-FIRST DRAGON, by Heywood Broun THE SLAYING OF THE MONSTER, by R. H. Barlow and H. P. Lovecraft THE KING OF THE FISHES, by Joseph Jacobs THE STUDENT WHO WAS FORCIBLY MADE KING, by Anonymous OF MICE & DRAGONS, by Gary Lovisi THE DRAGON OF THE NORTH, by Andrew Lang THE RELUCTANT DRAGON, by Kenneth Grahame JOHN THE TRUE, by Joseph Jacobs VERNAN'S DRAGON, by John Gregory Betancourt HOW THE DRAGON WAS TRICKED, by J. G. von Hahn LILY AND THE LION, by the Brothers Grimm LILY AND THE DRAGON, by Michael Kurland THE PRINCE AND THE DRAGON, by Andrew Lang WHY THE RED DRAGON IS THE EMBLEM OF WALES, by W. Jenkyn Thomas JABBERWOCKY, by Lewis Carroll THE DRAGON'S TEETH, by Nathaniel Hawthorne THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY, by Henry Carey THE LAST OF THE DRAGONS, by E. Nesbit THE DRAGON OF LA TRINITA, by Mary Lovett Cameron THE LITTLE BULL-CALF, by Andrew Lang RICH PETER THE PEDLAR, by George Webbe Dasent THE TWO BROTHERS, by The Brothers Grimm THE MANDELBROT DRAGON, by Mary A. Turzillo THE TALE OF BEOWULF, by Anonymous (translated by William Morris) And don't forget to search this ebook store for "Wildside Megapack" to see more great collections, ranging from fantasy and science fiction to mysteries, westerns, adventure stories, and more! (View them by publication date to see the most recent additions.)

Step into a world of enchantment and wonder with "The Fairy Books of Andrew Lang," a collection of timeless tales from the master storyteller himself, Andrew Lang. Prepare to be transported to magical realms where fairies, dragons, and heroes come to life in vivid detail. As Lang's enchanting tales unfold, immerse yourself in a world where anything is possible. From far-off lands to mystical forests, embark on a journey filled with adventure, romance, and discovery as you uncover the secrets of the fairy realm. But amidst the whimsy and wonder, a deeper truth emerges: What if these fairy tales are more than just stories? Prepare to be captivated by Lang's profound insights into the human condition and the timeless lessons that resonate across generations. Are you ready to lose yourself in the magic of Andrew Lang's storytelling? Experience the power of imagination as Lang's captivating narratives capture your heart and mind. Whether you're young or young at heart, these enchanting tales will ignite your imagination and inspire you to believe in the power of dreams. Will you dare to journey into the fairy realm and discover the secrets that lie within? Immerse yourself in the beauty and brilliance of Lang's fairy tales, where each story is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Whether you're reading alone or sharing these tales with loved ones, prepare to be transported to a world where magic is real and anything is possible. Don't miss your chance to experience the enchantment of "The Fairy Books of Andrew Lang." Let Lang's timeless tales inspire you to see the world with fresh eyes and an open heart, reminding you that the greatest adventures are often found within the pages of a book. Seize the opportunity to own a piece of literary magic. Purchase "The Fairy Books of Andrew Lang" now and embark on a journey of discovery and delight that will stay with you long after the final page is turned.

Following Edith Nesbit’s successful book “The Book of Dragon’s”, it was unfortunate she didn’t follow this up with a sequel. But look no further! John Halsted, author, publisher and folklorist has compiled “The Second Book of Dragons” using the many books in the Abela catalogue as his source. In this book you will find 28 illustrated tales of dragons and serpents drawn from the mists of time. Some are friendly dragons which provide wisdom and direction to the heroes of our stories. Others are downright wicked, oozing malice and evil, leaving the hero of the story no option but to engage the spiteful, fire-breathing, beast in battle. Our heroes always sally forth wilfully, but cautiously, engaging these ancient creatures to save a damsel in distress, or to save families, from what seems to be sure destruction. Herein you will find stories like: "The Deluded Dragon", "The Gypsy And The Dragon", "The Two Princes", "The Dragon Of Ghent", "The Magic Egg", "The Great Battle", "The Sword Gram And The Dragon Fafnir" and many, many more. These tales have been drawn from eighteen old and forgotten books and the thirty-three illustrations are by different artists bringing styles that are as different as the stories themselves.

As the Iron Horse journeys ever deeper into its mysterious post-apocalyptic world, the crew encounters a lone knight on a quest to slay a dragon. They mock him at first, but when they arrive at the fog-shrouded city known as Stormwatch, the streets are abandoned, the doors are locked, and the citizens are terrified to leave their homes. One old woman, alone and seemingly insane, confronts the crew with this ominous warning: "Beware the dragon's breath!" They hear the knight's words echoed in her statement, and begin to realize that things may not be as they appear. Then, as night closes in, strange things begin to happen aboard the Iron Horse. Crew members are attacked by invisible beings and strange, mutated creatures. One by one, they begin to vanish. When it seems things can't get any worse, they realize their adventure has only just begun... and that maybe, just maybe, dragons really do exist.

A cat had made acquaintance with a mouse, and had spoken so much of the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at last the Mouse consented to live in the same house with her, and to go shares in the housekeeping. ‘But we must provide for the winter or else we shall suffer hunger,’ said the Cat. ‘You, little Mouse, cannot venture everywhere in case you run at last into a trap.’ This good counsel was followed, and a little pot of fat was bought. But they did not know where to put it. At length, after long consultation, the Cat said, ‘I know of no place where it could be better put than in the church. No one will trouble to take it away from there. We will hide it in a corner, and we won’t touch it till we are in want.’ So the little pot was placed in safety; but it was not long before the Cat had a great longing for it, and said to the Mouse, ‘I wanted to tell you, little Mouse, that my cousin has a little son, white with brown spots, and she wants me to be godmother to it. Let me go out to-day, and do you take care of the house alone.’‘Yes, go certainly,’ replied the Mouse, ‘and when you eat anything good, think of me; I should very much like a drop of the red christening wine.’