In the early volumes of this journal, there are many articles in which the authors present their viewpoints on formalism, that is, on formal systems of mathematics and their relations to practices of mathematics. Their discussions may be condensed into the philosophical matters of substance and form, epistemology and ontology, for taking the stand of formalism must necessarily admit the substance behind it. I will take up some of the old articles which are concerned with formalism and formal systems and review them from my present standpoint, in order to excavate fresh and honest thoughts of our seniors and to see how the views on formalism and formal systems of mathematics in this journal have changed with the passage of time.