Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-04-08

We P"IoH 'Ae lolloWlnS Reports OF the
recent DISCUSSION letween Rev. J. T. Breese,
Of Milwaukee, and Mr.. B. F. Underwood
of Boston, which took place in this city,
giving bob sides Of the matter, and which
will doubtless interest many of our readers:
THEOLOGICAL DEBATE.
WATERFOWL, Wis, March 27-One of
the most able and interesting discussions
ever held n this place took place last eve
ming in tie Good Templars' hall At
o'clock ths combatants met and opened fire,
which for brilliance, logic, erudition, schol-
arshjp, AMI scientific knowledge has never
been equsled in this place. The evening
pefore, Plof 3. F. Underwood, the world
renowned biblical scientist, delivered lee.
ture on tie "Origin Of Species Darwinism.
Rev. J. 7. Breese, of Milwaukee, was pres
ent, and at the close challenged Underwood
for the following night. He accepted. He
reviewed carefully his position, step by step,
on the Office of reason and faith, and opened
train O. thought at once new and electri-
flying to he audience, which was very large.
The knowledge of science IN its present as
pect, history, philosophy, poetry, govern
succession before the audience, and evinced
that genius and scholar of no mean or
der was addressing them He spoke an
hour and a quarter. Mr.. Underwood pas
sed high encOmiums on the talents and cul-
ture, and scholarship of his opponent, aud
defended his points in his usual eloquent
style for an hour and half.
Thus passed an evening which, for rich
Intellectually, has seldom been enjoyed
in this vicinity.
The clergyman regretted he could not re-
ply that night, on account Of the lateness
of the hour, but would preach on Sunday
night.
The successive rounds of applause attested
to The magic effect of the orators argument.
Christianity had decided lift in many
minds that were doubling.
DECIDEDLY BREEsEY.
WATERFOWL, Wis, March 3l.-In yes
terday'S Times Was q communication pur-
porting to give some account of debate
between Prof 3. +. Underwood and Rev
J. I. Breese, OF Milwaukee. The account
was, without doubt, written Or dictated by
the reverend gentleman himself, and with
a view TO obtaining an Importance and
prominence in the widely circulated Times
which hedoes not possess in his denomination
to which everybody acquainted with him
knows be is not entitled by ability or at
tainments. The trick is transparent. He
sits down intending to claim the victory of
the debate for himself Hence it is ne ces-
sary to make his Opponent as formidable as
possible that there may be no doubt as to
no p10 of, fri nh On
ces by chaructcrizng his opponent MS ''Lhe
world renowned biblical scientist" On
reading the account, Mr. Underwood
expressed some doubt as TO being world
renowned" and said that although he had
in his time been called many hard names
hehad never before been called ''bbical
scientist" To leave no doubt as to his
courage, Rev. Mr.. Breese says he callenged
Mr. Underwood. The plain truth is that
Mr.. Underwood, having given course of
scientific lectures in Watertown, and Mr..
Breese having been present at the last one
after the lecture, in private conversation,
took exception to some of Mr. Un1erwood's
positions, whereupon Mr. Underwood and
his friend suggested that the reverend
gentleman present hia criticisms in lee
ture the next evening; and as Mr.. Under
woods engagement permitted him to be
present, he would be pleased to review his
reviewer, if time permitted. There was ne
challenge.
The self-eulogist says he "reviewed care
fully his deIwsod's) position, step BY
step, on the Office OF reason and faith, and
opened a train of thought at once new and
electritying to the audience" This state
ment is devoid of truth. The fact is, he
did not attempt to review the lecture be
heard-the subjec, Of which WAS "The Co.'S
mic Conception Of the UNIVERSE" but for
about an hour indulged in loud and violent
defamation about everything in general
and noshing in particular. His ''train OF
thought" instead of "new and ,electrifying"
was exceedingly common place, and dis
appointed the Christian part 9th audience
which, from the beginning, however, was
expected but weak defense from the man.
His statement tina, "the knowledge of
science in its present aspect, history, philos-
ophy, poetry, governments of different ages
all passed in rapid succession before the au.
dence, ard evidenced that a genius and q
scholar Of no m.an order was addressing
them" is considerable for q ranting Welsh
preacher to say Of himself!
"Mr Underwood" he says, "passed .
high encomi UNI on the talents, culture, and
scholarship of his opponent" He dill moth
ing of the kind On the contrary, Mr..
Underwood said that Rev. Mr.. Rreese had
shown an utter incapAcity to understand
the subjects in volved in his lecture OF the
previous evening; that he has offered moth
ing in review, and it was evident he was
entirely unacquainted with modern science
and modern thought He characterized his
speech as an old fashioned sermon.
"The clergyman regretted be could not
reply that night. He attempted it, but
the audience wanting to hear no more from
the defender Of the faith,'' arose en- masse
and left the hall, the christian part regret
ting their cause had fallen into such hauds.
"The successive round of applause attest
ed the magic effort Of the orators argu-
ment," continues the writer. Nearly all
Of the applause was on the other side-in
response to the comments of the free-think-
er on Rev. Mr.. Breese's defamation.
In conclusion, he says "Christianity had
a decided lift in many minds that were
doubling" Tell it not in Wxtertown,
where, to recover from the effects of Row
Mr.. Breeso's admitted failure, his brethren