Mary Brown

Mary Brown was an esteemed American educator and poet whose life was rooted in the communities of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Born in Natick, Rhode Island, in 1856, she dedicated over twenty years of her life to the Jewett City school system. Her reputation was that of a "faithful" and deeply invested instructor whose care for her pupils extended far beyond the classroom. Beyond her professional duties, Brown was a prominent figure in the Baptist Church and a leader in local missionary and charitable organizations, including the King’s Daughters.

While she was a prolific writer of verse for local occasions, Mary Brown is immortalized in hymnody as the author of the profound consecration hymn "I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go." Written around 1890, the text is a powerful statement of total spiritual surrender. It gained worldwide popularity within the Christian Endeavor movement and eventually across all denominations. The hymn is structured as a series of vows, expressing a willingness to serve in any capacity, whether "over the mountain," "on the stormy sea," or simply speaking "the word ere it is too late."

The history of the hymn includes a notable narrative regarding its publication and musical setting:

• The Original Music: Local historical records indicate that the original tune for Brown’s poem was composed by an officer of the Jewett City Savings Bank, reflecting the grassroots, community origin of the work.

• The Carrie Rounsefell Setting: The version that ultimately achieved global fame was set to music by Carrie E. Rounsefell. Interestingly, Rounsefell reportedly composed the melody on a simple zither while the two were together.

• Authorship Clarification: Despite some historical confusion or unauthorized copyright changes by others, primary sources from her hometown confirm Brown as the true author. She was notably distinct from the composer Charles Gabriel, though her work was frequently featured in his popular gospel collections.

Mary Brown passed away in 1918 at Backus Hospital in Norwich, Connecticut. She was remembered by her contemporaries as an "unusually gifted" woman whose artistic and literary talents were always used in service of her faith and her community. Her primary hymn remains a definitive anthem of missionary and personal commitment, used for over a century to challenge worshippers to follow the divine call wherever it may lead.