But the Brahmin and the Sudra may both be converted to Christianity.  In that case, though it seems very odd to both, the distinction of caste goes to the wall.  And the “knot of parsons and such like,” spoken of above, having, very fortunately for the world, been born into the Christian Church, made it, as we have seen, their business to face the difficulty because of the necessity,—­and the Working-Men’s College is the result of their endeavor.  Mr. Maurice himself took the first step.  Before the College itself was opened, he undertook a Bible-class.  He invited whoever would to come.  He read a portion of the Scriptures, explained its meaning as he could,—­and invited all possible questioning.  He testifies, in the most public way, that he got more good than he gave in the intercourse which followed.  “I have learned more myself than I have imparted.  Again and again the wish has come into my mind, when I have left those classes, ’Would to God that anything I have said to them has been as useful to them as what they have said to me has been to me!’”

If now the American reader will free his mind from any comparisons with an American college, and take, instead, his notion of this “Bible-class,” we can give him some conception of what the Working-Men’s College is.  For there is not a clergyman in America who has not conducted such a class, for the benefit of any who would come.  And such classes are considered as mutual classes.  Everybody may ask questions,—­everybody may bring in any contribution he can to the conversation.  Very clearly there is no reason why chemistry, algebra, Latin, or Greek may not be taught from the same motive, in classes gathered in much the same way, and with a like feeling of cooperation among those concerned.  This is what the Working-Men’s College attempts.  The instructors volunteer their services.  They go, for the love of teaching, or to be of use, or to extend their acquaintance among their fellow-men.  The students go, in great measure, doubtless, to learn.  But they are encouraged to feel themselves members of a great cooeperation society.  So soon as possible, they are commissioned as teachers themselves, and are put in a position to take preparatory classes in the College.  A majority of the finance-board consists of students.  Let us now see what is the programme which grows out of such a plan.  I have not at hand the schedule of exercises for the current year.  I must therefore give that which was in force in the autumn of 1859, when by paying half-a-crown I became a member of the Working-Men’s College.  As I make this boast, I must confess that I never took any certificate of proficiency there, nor was I ever “sent up” for any, even the humblest, degree.  For the Working-Men’s College may send up students to the University of London for degrees.