The commissioners, before proceeding to the execution of their duties, shall make affidavit, before some officer qualified to administer oaths, honestly and impartially to execute the trust reposed in them, which shall be returned and filed with their report, and shall give at least five days’ notice to each party to the suit, or his conservator or attorney, of the time when they will proceed to the performance of their duties; and if any such party do not reside in any county in which any of the land is situate, and have no conservator or attorney therein, notice to such party may be served by posting same in the office of the clerk of the court wherein the suit is pending at least five days before such time.