Publisher's Synopsis
IN this book Dr. Edwards has sought to establish the relation between Divine truth and the art of music. His contention is that the heart of man "refuses to satisfy its undying hunger for a personal God with anything short of reality." He says that if any science or art supplies a help toward meeting this craving it will find an "ardent welcome." The art of music promises such aid, as it has long claimed to be a proper medium of communication between God and man. Dr. Edwards's arguments will strongly appeal to all lovers of music. He believes that the being and disposition of God are clearly intimated and illustrated in music, harmony being the keynote of each. All the author's evidence is presented clearly and systematically, and much light has been thrown on the extremely interesting and difficult subject of musical aesthetics. One chapter has a special interest of its own. It is entitled "Musico-Therapy," and presents the practical utility of music as a healer of disease in many forms, especially of the nerves and brain. The evidence accumulated is of undoubted value, and it goes a long way toward proving the statement of the late Rev. H. R. Haweis that "Music will some day become a powerful and acknowledged therapeutic agent." The book has much charm and scholarly quality, and it is a distinct addition to musical aesthetics.
-"The New Music Review and Church Music Review," Volume 7
THIS book is a rhapsody on music and the religious inspiration which it may give. The subjects treated in the different chapters are: "What is Music?" "Music in Nature," "Wherefore?" "Law in Music," "Correlations of Music," "The Beautifier of Time," "The Power of Music," "MusicoTherapy," "Design in Design," "The Altruistic Art," "The Social Art," "The Religious Art," "Music and Immortality," "The God of Music."
The book is written with great enthusiasm, and we can feel that the author is a clergyman, yet while he now and then shows his theological bias, the book may be interpreted in a broader sense than the traditional dogmatism, and we enjoy the author's search for a deeper meaning in music than a mere expression of sentiment in rhythmic or tonal forms. He relates music to God, and funds in it a proof of God's existence as the author of rhythm, harmony and beauty, and what he says we have read with approval if we substitute for his personal God our own idea of a super-personal God. In fact, we may assume that the author's God-conception is more philosophical than it may appear to many an uninitiated reader.
-"The Open Court," a Monthly Magazine, Volume 20, Issue 2