“The prime requisites for them that take counsel together”

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 Bahá shall be vouchsafed to them.... 
- `Abdu'l-Bahá  (Cited in a letter dated 5 March 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, published in ‘Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Consultation)