Even at a young age Franklin liked to read. As he grew into adulthood he moved from reading religious works, such as Paul Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," to the philosophers and theologians of the Enlightenment, such as John Locke and William Wollaston. Though he stopped attending church, he came to believe that there was a God who punished wickedness and rewarded good deeds. Good deeds and morality played an important part in his life, as can be seen in his involvement in the city of Philadelphia and the affairs of his country. It is strange, then, to observe the deep friendship he maintained with the evangelist, George Whitefield. These two men started their relationship as businessmen. Franklin immediately noticed the minister's persuasive
