Vain man, thy fond pursuits forbear

Vain man, thy fond pursuits forbear. Joseph Hart* (1712-1768).  This dramatic hymn is taken from the Third Edition, ‘With the Author’s Experience, And the Supplement’ of Hart’s Hymns, &c., composed on Various Subjects (1763). It was the second hymn in a section entitled ‘Death. 3 Hymns’, that included ‘Ye Sons of Men, the Warning take’ and ‘Ye bold blaspheming Souls’. In all probability it was in the 1762 edition, but this has not been available. It has not been found in subsequent hymnbooks in Britain, but it became well known in America in the 19th century. It had six stanzas:  Vain Man, thy fond Pursuits forbear,   Repent. Thy End is nigh. Death at the farthest can’t be far.   Oh!...