Attacked in an Alley

by Mary Weiss Futcher

I was so happy that I walked down the street as if I were floating on air. As a young Bible worker for the New York City Manhattan Church, I was having a fantastic day. Several teenagers with whom I'd been studying had made the decision to give their lives to Christ. I had one more call to make, but I wasn't tired. I was thrilled as I went to the next home.

I didn't expect it to take long, but it was after 10:00 p.m. before I left, again with wings of joy on my feet. Both parents and their teenage children in that lovely Jewish home had promised to be at church the next Sabbath.

My mind replayed the visit as I walked to the nearest subway station. I boarded the train without really considering that it stopped a whole six blocks away from my apartment. If I'd walked another block, I could have taken a train that would have taken me within a block of home, but I didn't realize my mistake until I stepped off the subway. No matter. I looked around and decided that the night was beautiful and a six-block walk wouldn't hurt me at all.

The subway had stopped where the streets weren't well lighted, but with a song in my heart I headed toward home. I thanked God for blessing my efforts that day and for being such a wonderful Savior.

Bible verses were singing through my mind when a huge hand grabbed me from the back and yanked me into a dark, narrow passageway between two tall buildings!

My mind raced, and it seemed that time stood still. I felt myself go hot, then cold. My hands were wet and clammy, my mouth dry. I wondered wildly what the man planned to do to me. Would he rob me? Would he kill me? I knew that people had been killed for a few cents!

I didn't have much money. My shoulder bag held only a Bible, several pieces of Christian literature, and a few other items, including my house key. I felt a numbness ripple through me from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet and realized with new terror that I couldn't make a sound.

Oh, God, save me! I cried silently.


To read the rest of Mary's story, get a copy of Guide's Greatest Angel Stories online or by calling your Adventist Book Center at 1-800-765-6955.