Burnett, Peter H., San Jose, California, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1860 March 29

He did not publish an extract of Purcell's letter as there was no express consent given as in Archbishop John Hughes ' letter. He has reflected much on the question of the personal inspiration of each apostle as to judicial questions and is satisfied that Purcell is right. A legislative question is what shall the law be, and refers to the future; while a judicial question is what the law is, and refers to the present. A court of justice never reviews a decision of a court of final appeal. This judicial question as to the materiality of circumcision was decided by St. Paul. An appeal was taken to the Council of Jerusalem. Final action was taken by the Council because, though individually infallible, St. Paul had only original and not final jurisdiction of the case. It is certain that the council of Jerusalem was inspired as the organ of the Church. It was not idle for the council to rehear the appeal of St. Paul. He seeks Purcell's opinion about the matter. His work seels rapidly in California. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 4pp. 4to.