Ancient Charges 

The Ancient Charges are not part of the Esoteric Work of a Lodge.

The Opening and Closing Charges must be given at each Stated Meeting and the Charge at the end of a Degree must be given.

These Ancient Charges must be recited from memory and cannot be read.

The Worshipful Master does not have to give these Ancient Charges himself but can direct someone else to give them for him.  The Ancient Charges must be given from memory and not read.

In Pennsylvania the Ancient Charges are printed and thus can be learned by a Brother without the need to study with another Brother to learn them.  

The actual degree work in Pennsylvania was not officially written down until 2010 and had to be learned by study under a Mason who knows the work.