Notice of application; personal service, publication

No conveyance shall be made under this act, excepting upon notice of the application, which notice shall be by personal service thereof, except where the opposite party or parties are non-residents of the state, in which latter case, the court may order publication of such notice in 1 or more newspapers published in the county where the court may be held and the land may be situated, for such time as the court may order, not less than once a week for 4 successive weeks.