on of Baha'u'llah) by the adult
declared believers of the community, the voting list being drawn up by the
outgoing Spiritual Assembly. Concerning the character and functions of
this body, 'Abdu'l-Baha has written as follows:--

It is incumbent upon every one [every believer] not to take any
step [of Baha'i activity] without consulting the Spiritual
Assembly, and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul its
bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly
ordered and well arranged. Otherwise every person will act
independently and after his own judgment, will follow his own
desire, and do harm to the Cause.

The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are
purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else
save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and
lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in
difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should they
be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, victory from the
unseen Kingdom of Baha shall be vouchsafed to them. In this day,
assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a
vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory.
The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that
no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be
attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his
own opinion and must on no account feel hurt for not until matters
are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining
spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing
opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously
well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion
should arise, a majority of voices must prevail....

The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the
members of the assembly. They must be wholly free from
estrangement and must manifest in themselves the Unity of God, for
they are the waves of one sea, the drops of one river, the stars
of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the
flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought and absolute
unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and that
assembly be brought to naught. The second condition:--They must
when coming together turn their faces t