MINISTER, eccles. law. One ordained¹ by some church to preach the gospel.

2. Ministers are authorized² in the United States, generally, to marry, and are liable to fines and penalties for marrying minors⁴ contrary to the local regulations. As to the right of ministers or parsons, see Am. Jur. No. 30, p. 268; Anth. Shep. Touch. 564; 2 Mass. R. 500; 10 Mass. R. 97; 14 Mass. R. 333; 3 Fairf. R. 487.

MINISTER, mediator⁵. An officer appointed by the government of one nation, with the consent of two other nations, who have a matter in dispute, with a view by his interference and good office to have such matter settled.,

MINISTERIAL. That which is done under the authority of a superior; opposed to judidial; as, the sheriff is a ministerial officer bound to obey the judicial⁶ commands of the court.

2. When an officer acts in both a judicial and ministerial capacity, he may be compelled to perform ministerial acts in a particular way; but when he acts in a judicial capacity, he can only be required to proceed; the manner of doing so is left entirely⁷ to his judgment⁸. See 2 Fairf. 377; Bac. Ab. Justices of the Peace, E; 1 Conn. 295; 3 Conn. 107; 9 Conn. 275; 12 Conn. 464; also Judicial; Mandamus; Sheriff.

MINISTERIAL TRUSTS. These which are also called instrumental trusts, demand no further exercise of reason or understanding, than every intelligent agent must necessarily employ as to convey an estate. They are a species of special trusts, distinguished⁹ from discretionary trusts, which necessarily require much exercise of the understanding. 2 Bouv. Inst. A. 1896.

MINOR³, persons. One under the age of twenty-one years, while in a state of infancy¹⁰; one who has not attained¹¹ the age of a major. The terms major and minor, are more particularly used in the civil law. The common law terms are adult and infant. See Infant.

MINORITY. The state or condition of a minor; infancy. In another sense, it signifies the lesser¹² number of votes of a deliberative assembly; opposed to majority. (q.v.)

MINT. The place designated by law, where money is coined by authority of the government of the United States.

2. The mint was established by the Act of April 2, 1792, 1 Story's L. U. S. 227, and located at Philadelphia, where, by virtue¹³ of sundry¹⁴ acts of congress, it still remains¹⁵. Act of April 24, 1800, 1 Story, 770; Act of March 3, 1801, 1 Story, 816; Act of May 19, 1828, 4 Sharsw. cont. of Story's L. U. S. 2120.

3. Below will be found a reference to the acts of congress now in force in relation to the mint. Act of January 18, 1837, 4 Sharsw. cont. of Story, L. U. S. 2120; Act of May 19, 1828, 4 Id. 2120; Act of May 3, 1835; Act of February 13, 1837; Act of March 3, 1849; Act of March 3, 1851, s. 11. Vide Coin; Foreign Coin; Money.