原名思顏堂，為紀念為圣約翰大學作出貢獻的顏永京而得名。因在校舍中排列第40位，故稱40號樓。1913年，時任中華民國第一任臨時大總統孫中山先生應邀出席圣約翰大學學期結束儀式，并在此處發表演講。
這座樓名為40號樓，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。“思顏”這個名字是為了紀念為圣約翰大學做出貢獻的顏永京，顏氏也被稱為將西方心理學介紹到中國的第一人。
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.
建筑為三層磚木結構，整體式樣中西結合，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，圣約翰大學舉行學期結束儀式，時任中華民國第一任臨時大總統孫中山先生應邀出席，并于大會堂發表演講。中山先生登上講臺時，師生歷久歡呼，他告誡青年們：“今且言責任，圣經中云，已見光明，應為人導。既有知識，必當授人。民主國家，教育為本。人民愛學，無不樂承，先覺覺后。責無旁貸，以若所得，教若國人，幸勿自秘其光。”孫中山在演講中認真論述了科學教育的重要性，激勵學校師生為教育事業而不懈努力。40號樓前設有“孫中山演講處”的碑文，以示紀念。
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.
