Who else was born of a virgin?

Did you ever hear of anyone other than Jesus who was born of a virgin?

Yes—there was one in India, named Balgesus, a great reformer. There was another who was still living about the time that I was born, named Apollonius Tyanaeus, belonging to Asia Minor. He may be said to have been almost as great as Jesus in wonder-working power. It is said that he raised the dead, that he healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and caused the lame to walk—all this and much more. But then, he can never be compared with Jesus for goodness who was holy and without a flaw. Apollonius, however, lived very strictly, subjecting his disciples to very stringent rules as to their mode of living, inculcating the practice of abstemious habits, so that they might be more able to distribute to others in need.

Such a thing as being born of a virgin mother may appear impossible to men, but it is possible with God.

Why should men stumble at this when He, for ends beneficial to his creatures, whether here or in other worlds, sees it to be necessary?

Why—it was but the bringing of another law into operation to accomplish the end He had in view, and that end could not have been attained had these come by ordinary generation.

Do not imagine for a moment that spirits can do anything in such a work—we can do nothing. We are but as twigs on the great tree.

The great Spirit alone did the work by one of those high and holy spirits who minister unto us, but who seldom come to earth. 

This is why Jesus is set down by his Hebrew disciples as the Son of God.

What might be the probable reason why Apollonius and Balgesus were brought into the world out of the ordinary course of generation?

The wonderful nature of their birth might well create interest and observation in the peoples among whom they were born and tend greatly to draw attention to the doctrines which they taught. Then again, the fact that these extraordinary men were not the offspring of high and mighty princesses, born in the lap of pomp and luxury, but children of the poor—a labourer's daughter, chosen by the great Father to bear a son, was fitted still further to excite attention. No doubt, such a circumstance taking place in some countries might create suspicion as to the virtue of the mother, but the virgins in the countries referred to were so closely watched that it was almost impossible that deception could be maintained. Jesus had much greater advantages than either Apollonius or Balgesus for the acquisition of knowledge though the former was almost equal to the Prince in his teachings, yet there was a breadth, a worldwide application about the doctrines taught by Jesus that clearly distinguishes the one from the other. 

As for the Indian reformer, he was left far behind.

—Hafed, Prince of Persia