Although Coulson was known as a convinced Methodist and pacifist throughout his life, these folders show the full range of his humanitarian interest, expressed in religious, educational, political and social activities. In some of these he played a public and major role (for example, as Chairman of OXFAM, as Vice-President of the Methodist Conference or as a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches), but others are less well known. To all he brought his distinctive power of personal involvement; many of the relatively routine letters in the folders contain thoughtful material of considerable biographical and general interest.

Most of the material in this Section consists of correspondence, reports, committee and organisational matters relative to institutions and to meetings, conference and publications sponsored by them.