原名思顏堂，為紀(jì)念為圣約翰大學(xué)作出貢獻(xiàn)的顏永京而得名。因在校舍中排列第40位，故稱(chēng)40號(hào)樓。1913年，時(shí)任中華民國(guó)第一任臨時(shí)大總統(tǒng)孫中山先生應(yīng)邀出席圣約翰大學(xué)學(xué)期結(jié)束儀式，并在此處發(fā)表演講。
這座樓名為40號(hào)樓，原名思顏堂，于1903年12月24日奠定隅石，1904年10月1日舉行落成典禮?！八碱仭边@個(gè)名字是為了紀(jì)念為圣約翰大學(xué)做出貢獻(xiàn)的顏永京，顏氏也被稱(chēng)為將西方心理學(xué)介紹到中國(guó)的第一人。
Building No. 40 was originally named “the Yen Hall”. The cornerstone was laid on December 24, 1903 and the inauguration ceremony was held on October 1, 1904. The name “Yen” was to commemorate Yen Yung-kiung who made great contributions to St. John’s University. He was referred to as the first person to introduce western psychology to China.
建筑為三層磚木結(jié)構(gòu)，整體式樣中西結(jié)合，立面清水青磚，墻外廊配以紅磚拱券，屋面沿襲懷施堂的中式坡屋頂。
The building is a three-storey brick-and-timber in a hybrid Chinese and western styles. The facades were dry walls of green bricks, the verandas outside the wall were built of red bricks and arches, and it inherits the Chinese-style slope roof of the Schereschewsky Hall.
1913年2月1日，圣約翰大學(xué)舉行學(xué)期結(jié)束儀式，時(shí)任中華民國(guó)第一任臨時(shí)大總統(tǒng)孫中山先生應(yīng)邀出席，并于大會(huì)堂發(fā)表演講。中山先生登上講臺(tái)時(shí)，師生歷久歡呼，他告誡青年們：“今且言責(zé)任，圣經(jīng)中云，已見(jiàn)光明，應(yīng)為人導(dǎo)。既有知識(shí)，必當(dāng)授人。民主國(guó)家，教育為本。人民愛(ài)學(xué)，無(wú)不樂(lè)承，先覺(jué)覺(jué)后。責(zé)無(wú)旁貸，以若所得，教若國(guó)人，幸勿自秘其光?！睂O中山在演講中認(rèn)真論述了科學(xué)教育的重要性，激勵(lì)學(xué)校師生為教育事業(yè)而不懈努力。40號(hào)樓前設(shè)有“孫中山演講處”的碑文，以示紀(jì)念。
On February 1, 1913, St. John’s University held the closing ceremony of the semester. Sun Yat-sen, then the first provisional president of the Republic of China, was invited to deliver a speech in the auditorium. After ascending to the rostrum, Sun Yat-sen was welcomed by prolonged cheers from the faculty and students. He admonished the young people, “Now that we are talking about responsibilities, it is written in the Bible that those who have seen the light should guide other people. He who has knowledge must pass it on. In a democratic country, education is the foundation. People are eager to learn and they are all cheerful about it. Those who first come to an awareness should enlighten the others. The responsibility must be taken to teach the people with what they have acquired; be cautious not to withhold the light of wisdom to oneself.” In his speech, Sun Yat-sen deliberated the importance of science education and inspired teachers and students to make unremitting efforts for the cause of education. In front of the Building No. 40, there is an inscription of “Sun Yat-sen’s Lecture Site” to commemorate the occasion.
