From the very beginning the difference between New England and New Netherland which manifested itself in so many different ways was also evident in patterns of religious life. From the outset New England settlements were communities; entire congregations arrived bringing with them their pastors and teachers so that the organization of their religious life on this side of the Atlantic was a relatively simple matter. When the Dutch began to arrive in New Netherland in the early part of the seventeenth century, however, permanent settlement was not the scheme which they had in mind. In the Europe of that day their homeland was one of the most prosperous countries and of all nations the one that was most free from religious persecution and harassment. It was not perma nent settl eme nts, but trading posts that the Dutch had in mind when they establi shed Fort Orange at the northern end of the North River and later New Amsterdam at its southern gateway. Probably the expectation was that in stead of permanent settlers New Netherl and wo uld be the temporary residence of adventurers who wo uld be here only until their future had been made and they could return home. For that reason, the entire life of the settlement was under the control of a Dutch commercial company.