"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21)

The contest between Stanton and Lincoln for the office of president began with Stanton treating Lincoln with contempt. He called Lincoln "a low cunning clown" and nicknamed him "the original gorilla." A person was a fool, Stanton claimed, to wander about in Africa trying to capture a gorilla when he could find one so easily in Springfield, Illinois. However, Lincoln did not respond in kind. And, when Lincoln was elected president, he appointed Stanton as his war minister because he was the best man for the job. He treated Stanton with every courtesy. On the night when the assassin's bullet murdered Lincoln in the theater, in a little room where the President's body lie, there stood Stanton, looking down on the silent face of Lincoln in all its ruggedness. Stanton spoke through his tears, "There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen."

"...Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Pet. 3:9)