Christ is the head of the Church, as man is the head of the woman. But as the woman has also a head to her own personality, so has the Church. The apostleship is the principal governing authority thereof. When Christ ascended on high, the earthly headship devolved upon His apostles, of whom Peter, James and John were the chief. There were also the seventy appointed by the Savior as His traveling ministers, and He gave other officers to the Church, such as evangelists, pastors, elders, bishops, teachers, deacons, etc. All these were under the direction of the apostles, who were inspired, and instructed, and led by Jesus, even after His ascension, and were filled with the Holy Ghost, which bears record of the Father and the Son. A church which has not inspired apostles nor prophets, cannot be the Church of Christ, for these are essential to its full constitution. All the officers we have named are necessary, in their various positions, to the complete organization of the "body of Christ." Through these appointed servants of God, the members of the Church are instructed in their duties, led along in the path of truth, admonished of their faults, rebuked for their transgressions, brought to the unity of the faith, corrected of their errors, and when they become evil-doers, and reformation is not probable, disfellowshipped from communion or excommunicated from the Church. The Church of Christ is progressive. That is, it advances in the knowledge of the truth. As fast as its members are prepared for additional light, through the practice of principles already revealed, new manifestations are given, for the growth of all who will receive the truths unfolded towards the fullness of the stature of Christ Jesus. Old truths are not discarded, but new truths are added, and clearer light is thrown upon what was previously known. Thus the Church advances and prepares its communicants for a higher sphere when they pass away from the plane of mortal existence. But while it casts off no truth, it eliminates from itself, by natural process, everything obnoxious to its health and vitality. Corrupt and wicked persons occasionally find their way into its sanctuary; some, after being washed from their impurities, turn again to their filthiness, and others become rebellious and discordant. These incongruous elements are gradually separated from the body. For the Church is a living thing, and casts off that which does not assimilate or which is inimical to its growth, harmony and progress.